need recommendations for cheap computer..

[sbpebbles]

So my desktop tower became infected with significant spyware on New Year's Eve and now I can not get into ANYTHING on my computer, it starts up but that's it..I called Best Buy to see how much it would be to fix and they said right around $200....I've had the computer for almost 3 years with no problems and I just can't justify spending $200 when I could buy a new laptop for $298 from my local walmart..so I was hoping someone would have a good recommendation for either a new tower, netbook, or laptop CHEAP...I'm going to call around to other places to see if they can fix mine but I have a feeling it's gonna be expensive..I had a feeling I should have gotten one on Black Friday but that's done and all the good deals seemed to have disappeared, does anyone still know of any? thanks so much! looking to buy something ASAP

 

[dawson5]

when my oldest gets home, he can walk you through it but when my hard drive went bad, he used a "live cd." I want to say it's Linux and he was able to move my pictures, videos, etc to the other hard drive. I think this would allow you to reformat without any issues.

I hope I am understanding the issue. There isn't anything wrong with the hardware on the pc, just the spyware has pretty much disabled your being able to use it? Have you tried safe-mode and clearing stuff so you can reformat?

 

[sbpebbles]

when my oldest gets home, he can walk you through it but when my hard drive went bad, he used a "live cd." I want to say it's Linux and he was able to move my pictures, videos, etc to the other hard drive. I think this would allow you to reformat without any issues.

I hope I am understanding the issue. There isn't anything wrong with the hardware on the pc, just the spyware has pretty much disabled your being able to use it? Have you tried safe-mode and clearing stuff so you can reformat?

I got System Tool Infection on my computer..no i haven't tried to go to safe-mode, didnt even think about that...I have A LOT of pictures on there that I don't want to lose so I'll have to try to move those..

 

[kaytieeldr]

Do you know of any independent computer repair companies/persons in your area? A high school kid? One of my coworkers does this on the side for $20 an hour; I can't see it would take him ten hours to remove even serious spyware from a home computer. The $298 laptop you could get from Walmart? You get what you pay for . Go to Staples and see what they have on clearance. Look for something with an i5 (dual or triple core) processer if possible - IF you end up needing a new computer. Yes, you'll pay more than $300, but you'll get more.

 

[ssawka]

Do you have any friends/relatives that are computer savy? It generally is not a big deal to remove a virus. Do you have virus software installed? If not, I would recommend Avast!. It's free. Download that and a spyware program, Spybot is a good free choice. Run them seperately and see if the detect anything. If they do, they should be able to remove it. Worst case scenario, a computer savy friend/relative should be able to reformat the hard drive and restore the OS and your apps (provided you have the disks). A virus is no reason to replace a perfectly good computer! Now if you want a faster, more robust machine, that's another story, but if you know anyone, I'd have them try to fix it first.

 

[njsweetP]

I had some bad stuff happen to my laptop between Christmas and New Year's that rendered it useless. I was able to get all my important stuff off (photos, music, documents). I can't even get the thing to turn on. I purchased this one yesterday http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pa...Blue/1258693.p?id=1218243760774&skuId=1258693
due to the price point and I had gift cards. I still haven't opened it yet though as I'm hoping I can do something with my original, but I doubt it.

 

[sbpebbles]

Thanks for all the replies..I was able to get a friend's brother to look at it and clean it up for me and then I went and bought an external hard drive and put all my information and photos on there and took my computer down to factory reset and all works great now..her brother wasn't going to take payment but I gave him $20 for his time and the external hard drive cost me $55 so not a bad deal as compared to what others were quoting me..and now i have Malware on my computer, heard lots of great things about it so let's hope it does its job

 

[sam_gordon]

i have Malware on my computer, heard lots of great things about it so let's hope it does its job

First, "malware" is BAD on a computer. "Malwarebytes" is an ANTI-Malware program. I assume that's what you're talking about. AFAIK though, Malwarebytes is not a PREVENTATIVE program. You use it after you've gotten malware to get rid of it.

As mentioned before, Avast is a free anti-virus/malware program, as is AVG (what I use). Also, you'll need a firewall. I use ZoneAlarm's free version. I've had VERY few issues on my computer (I'd say I haven't had any, but I think maybe 1) in the last 3 years.

I also lock down the kids' accounts so they can't install programs.

 

[crazelion]

So my desktop tower became infected with significant spyware on New Year's Eve and now I can not get into ANYTHING on my computer, it starts up but that's it..I called Best Buy to see how much it would be to fix and they said right around $200....I've had the computer for almost 3 years with no problems and I just can't justify spending $200 when I could buy a new laptop for $298 from my local walmart..so I was hoping someone would have a good recommendation for either a new tower, netbook, or laptop CHEAP...I'm going to call around to other places to see if they can fix mine but I have a feeling it's gonna be expensive..I had a feeling I should have gotten one on Black Friday but that's done and all the good deals seemed to have disappeared, does anyone still know of any? thanks so much! looking to buy something ASAP

Do know geeksquad use AVG and other free programs that do your self. I should know use work for Best Buy.

I use Avast as my virus protect because i could not load AVG. Both are good anti-virus protect.

I work cheap all require sometimes is a free meal if family and friends. Everyone else charge on amount time have it takes the virus , spyware and malware off.

 

[sbpebbles]

First, "malware" is BAD on a computer. "Malwarebytes" is an ANTI-Malware program. I assume that's what you're talking about. AFAIK though, Malwarebytes is not a PREVENTATIVE program. You use it after you've gotten malware to get rid of it.

As mentioned before, Avast is a free anti-virus/malware program, as is AVG (what I use). Also, you'll need a firewall. I use ZoneAlarm's free version. I've had VERY few issues on my computer (I'd say I haven't had any, but I think maybe 1) in the last 3 years.

I also lock down the kids' accounts so they can't install programs.

yes I did mean Malewarebytes, i downloaded that AND avast, since they were both recommended..i'd rather have more protection than no protection..i don't have to worry about locking my computer, my kids aren't old enough to really play on the computer and we have another one that's slower for my daughter to use if she wants..thanks so much!