Old version kept after download have both now!

I use a Dell computer and had some worms so I got my xp disk and downladed it again. I chose to replace old version but I seem to now have two versions of the same program. How do I know?
1. whenever I reboot, i get a black screen asking me to click on the windows xp version I want to use and it shows me two of the same.
2. I have all the old programs I previously downloaded like my old yahoo messenger etc in program files but it doesn't show up in program files from the start menu, but they are all there when I go into my computer and look in program files. I don't know how to fix this problem and it is getting old fast. Help!

 

worms

I should add that the reason i reinstalled is becaue ive got korgo and sdbot worms attacking my system 32 files and cant get rid of the problems. I deleted the worms after a virus scan foudn them but they keep replicating or returning. How can i fix this?
xpdummy

 

xpdummy

Because you have several problems I suggest you format your disk before reinstalling or restoring XP. since you don't have an XP disk, I suggest you download a floppy disk image from Boot Disk Downloads. The bottom one for XP will be fine. Run the download with a floppy in a:.

Then boot with the floppy (you may have to set your bios boot order to do this), and run fdisk, delete the partition(s), reboot, and remake them. This should remove any worms etc. you may have. Then reboot with the restore disk(s) and replace XP. Don't go online until you have a firewall and an antivirus program.

 

but

I do have an xp disk. I used it to do this. I dont know what format my disk means. I also dont know what it means to delete and remake partitions. I said I am a dummy. ps i use antivirus but my husband is now using my computer and may not always. I now use a firewall.
xpdummy

 

Hm.. i have a slightly different view than sparrow.

You have 2 problems.

1) You now have two installs of XP on your hard drive.
This is pretty easy to fix, by determining which one is the correct one, and whacking the other. This is optional, since the reinstall should have marked the newer install as the default. I would say your easiest and least risky manuver would just be to make the countdown timer set to zero, so you dont ever see it. If you want to go that route, ask for some detail on the how-to.

2) You have a lot of left over stuff that you need to clean up
Why? Is it bothering you? Are you low on disk space? Are you concerned a virus is lurking within one of the old programs?


How you address this problem is really your desicion on how much risk vs effort vs skill vs diskspace you have. If you have tons of free disk space, and no intentions to consume a lot more, then i dont see any harm in just leaving it as is. If you have the time, and feel comfortable with it, sparrow's suggestion of formatting and reinstalling is the way to go to clean up the disk. Take stock in what your intentions are and let us know. we can advise you through either process

 

Here is a link for clean installing
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html and here is a good comprehensive guide http://www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/

Make sure you put the windows default firewall on before you venture on the internet.

 

My error. The dells I've seen come with "restore disks" although I should have realized you wouldn't have gotten two installations from one of those. Thanks Joe, Good point!

I agree with Joe: remove the newest installation - Keep the one with all your programs in the progran files folder. You can decide by running explorer (WnKey-E) and looking at each disk; I would think the original is on c: and the new one one on d:, but that's my best guess.

Then get hijackthis.zip here, unzip it to its own folder and upgrade it and run it and post the loag you save here.

 

Sparrow, I might be wrong, but I believe JoeHobart suggested leaving the newer (functional) OS on the comp, and just ignoring and hiding the other, infected older version.

Personally, I would follow Maggie's first link, do a fresh XP install. You will not have a mess, and your malware will be gone. Then I would impress upon Hubby the importance of Internet Security, enabling it and using it, or buying his own computer to mess up. For some great info on Security, visit the stickys at the top of the Security Forum. Get hubby to read them with you. Prevention is easier than clean up, but clean up is still easier than a reformat! There are lots of choices for reliable firewalls, some free, some not. IMO, the ICF (XP's native one-way firewall) is not enough protection by itself, but it's better than nothing until you get something else.

Johanna

 

That's what I said.

The reason to delete the new is that the old is NOT non-functional, simply infected. And deleting the old will remove whatever programs are installed in windows, and require a lot of work reinstalling them. This assumes that we can help get rid of the worms and whatever other pests may be there.

Remaking the partitions and reinstalling is certainly the easiest route, ignoring the work required to put the other software back.

Personally, as an XP disk is available, I would use the recovery console to do the work in either case.

I can't let that pass. Dell is the company that DOES include Windows disks. Must have been asleep. Sorry.