Verified answer

If you format the disk directly you will lose everything, especially your data. DON'T DO IT! Viruses don't delete files, it infects them, and unfortunately for you photo files are a preferred target.

Use another pc to download the iso from http://www.mandriva.com/ (it's just an image file not a program) and burn it to a cd-r - use the Image option not Data.

Now you need to boot your pc from it.

1. Make sure that in the boot order the cd is the first: at start press

Delete or F1 to enter BIOS setup - the correct one is written on the

manufacturer screen at startup.

2. Search the boot order and put the cd first - instruction how to do this are on the screen.

3. Before Save and Exit put the cd you burned in. Now hit Enter - the pc will save your modifications and reboot. If you have done the things

correctly the pc will boot from the disk.

Once the OS has fully booted copy all your files to a flash stick or a dvd-r using K3b ( Menu, Utilities). Attention, malware files end with .exe or another weird extension, be carefull at what you save. After that open Computer Management > Hardware > pick the hard disk > click Run config tool, delete all partitions.

Now comes the fresh installation of the OS: if you liked Mandriva double click on Install (on the desktop) and choose Entire hard disk when asked; don't forget that you are far more secure in Linux.

If not, restart the pc, insert WinXP disk and do a fresh install.

And next time pick a better antivirus, like http://www.avast.com/ .

DO NOT reinstall Windows. You will lose all of your pictures for sure.

You will likely be able to view all of your files AFTER you get rid of the virus'. YOU should ALWASY have a "reliable" anti-virus software running on your machine day and night, to prevent any infection in the first place.

Do yourself a favor. Forget the others:

Get these two that actually are RELIABLE !!!

AVAST and AD-AWARE.

These home versions are FREE tools that do an EXCELLENT job.

A.

Avast free Home Edition

Get it here:

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.ht...

And please do a "thorough" scan as soon as you get it downloaded. The user interface is simple. Click the left side, and in the top menu that comes up, select thorough scan.

When it finds a culprit it throws up an alarm, then you DELETE the culprit, (do not quaranteen).

Then allow it to run all of the time, and you will be completely protected. It will "automatically" update itself, also for free.

You only need to renew your registration once a year, also free.

Note: I KNOW of several people who have used AVG and Norton and have gotten a virus anyway.

Don't go with Zone Alarm as it is hoggy and conflicting.

I've tried them all, and have had wonderful results with DEPENDABLE AVAST for the last 5 years.

The corporation I work for uses the Pro version, and has never has an incident. Avast is your answer.

B.

Get free Ad-AWARE spy-removal tool from Lavasoft

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-a...

1. Download, install and run this program weekly or more.

^j^

Viruses don't normally remove pictures.

Tyr the following fixes which should restore your desktop and hopefully your pictures:

Wallpaper Hijacker Removal Tool:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Wallpaper_Hijack_Remover...

Note: You should hit all "Repair" buttons even though it may not say "Found!" This will fix a wallpaper hijack everytime if all repair buttons are pressed.

VundoFix:

http://www.symantec.com/content/en/us/global/remov...

Disconnect your computer from the internet

Run vundo

Restart your computer

Run the tool again to ensure no traces are left.

If there are the reboot into Safe Mode and run FixVundo again.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Removes Antivirus:

http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/...

Download, install, update and select Full Scan.

Remove all infections that it finds after scan.

Spybot S&D:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index....

Download, install, update and Immunize, then click 'Check for problems' then when complete select all and then 'Fix Checked'

Trojan and Worm Remover:

http://www.simplysup.com/tremover/download.html

The program will work for a full 30 days, after which it will expire.

More details:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/03/07/trojan-and-...

Recuva (pronounced “recover”) is a freeware Windows utility to restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your computer. This includes files emptied from the Recycle bin as well as images and other files that have been deleted by users.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_recuva/

Beginners Guide Available:

http://www.internetrotsyourbrain.com/recuvabeginne...

as quickly as a you have run a application or a record that features a virulent disease the virus installs itself onto your pc subsequently removing the would desire to run from the record or application you have downloaded, so once you delete your initially downloaded record you basically delete a ineffective record. in case you delete limewire you will lose your limewire p2p connection, not the others you have got put in. Deleting spywares and viruses is a sizeable discomfort interior the *** even for individuals who be attentive to the thank you to do it, and exceedingly painful while deleting from a computing device whose proprietor would not be attentive to lots approximately viruses or spywares or how they artwork. on your case I propose returned up your information (song, video clips, scientific medical doctors and etc) onto a DVD or USB harddisk or flash disk. in case you could, format your pc set up sparkling copies, set up a first rate Antivirus, turn off autorun, then run anti virus on USB harddisk or flash. then you definately can reproduction your stuff returned, the anti-virus would desire to have the skill to %. up virus from then on. suggestion for an anti-virus: avast

i'v never had that happen to me....it deleted like 10 of my shortcuts from my desktop...that was all...however they can delete files.

Download This Program

- SuperAntiSpyware

- http://www.superantispyware.com/

- Update and Scan

reinstall WIndows WITH formating your windows hard disk

Put service pack 3 on it,anti virus software

spybot search&destroy(immunise+search)

then rest