Restoring the system / Get rid of viruses

[mikejcmurray]

My T22 has a lot of viruses and I was wondering if I could just reset the computer to the factory settings to get rid of them. All of the files I need easily fit on my ipod mini so backup is real easy. Would this get rid of the viruses and would it be a good idea?

If so, how exactly would I do this? Do I hit a button on startup or do something through the control panel? Thanks

[K. Eng]

Resetting the computer to factory settings would erase the HDD, so that should wipe out the viruses.

Reboot the ThinkPad and hold down the 'access IBM' key (gray button I think on T2x) to get into the predesktop area. There should be options for restoring to factory settings.

[carbon_unit]

I think on the T2x series you press F11 at bootup for the restore function. There should be an option at the IBM screen or a text message telling you to press F11. If F11 does not work then someone has removed the restore partition.
Make sure the files you save are not infected or you will reinfect your computer with them.

[egibbs]

Actually, he should think long hard about how it got infected in the first place, and take steps to prevent it happening again.

If he just restores it to factory settings and then connects it to the net it will stay clean for about 30 seconds, and then it will be owned. Within an hour or two it will be right back where it was.

Ed Gibbs

[carbon_unit]

Yeah, why not just clean it up?
Run some AVG anti virus,
a Trend micro HouseCall,
AdAware,
SpyBot,
Clean out the temp folders and the *.tmp files,
do a little cleanup in the "Add/remove Programs" and in the startup tab in msconfig and you should be fairly cleaned up.
I do this almost every day to peoples computers and they can't believe how much difference it makes.
I use more tool than that but those are the safe ones.