Hello. We have a virus in the system registary that is called "security Risk" virus and can not repair it, but have quareented it. The computer will NOT read the C drive to boot up. It will check and try to check the boot dos from the D drive and locks in that spot. I figure that the C drive will have to be reformated and windows reinstalled. I am not sure how to "refomat" the hard drive. If some one would be able to explain in normal language, that would help me sooooo much. I can do a lot on the computer but do not know DOS at all. WE also have had a new applacation that has popped up in the last 3 days. It is called OWmngr. We have deleted it from the find file, but it comes back. Could this be the thing that put the virus in? Thank you all for listening. Beth

for instructions on how to fdisk/format hth andy

This is what came up on McAfee's site when I searched for "Security risk". There was another but neither would produce the 'unable to boot' problem. http://vil.mcafee.com/dispVirus.asp?virus_k=100330 Your two problems may be unrelated. Bryan

Thank you Andy. That is just what I needed to be able to understand how to reformat the drive. It is very easy to follow. Thank you again. If anyone has info on the virus itself, please let us know. The name of virus is : Security Risk virus. Norton's Systemworks could not repair it but could quarentee it. The main problem is that it showed up in the System registary files on the main hard drive.

From the Norton site: Security Risk The files that NAV detects as "Security Risk" are programs that are not intentionally malicious, but may pose a security risk if they are installed on a system, as they may be misused or have effects that would be detrimental to the security of the system. This category includes programs that may be used as Backdoor Trojans or may help attackers to compromise a system. The "Sysreg.exe" program, which NAV formerly detected as "Trojan Horse" and is now detected as "Security Risk," appears to be a component of an adware application. This program periodically checks a Web site ( http://tp.searchseekfind.com) for the location of new updates, and then attempts to download the updates over an insecure HTTP connection and launch them. The updates may come from any Web server on any IP address, and a check is not made to verify their integrity prior to execution. More info at link above

Thanks all. I want Andy to know that I was able to wipe and format the hard drive and also reinstall Windows. I have been having to go to the shop to do this and pay appx $50 to $80. I now can do it myself! ! ! ! !8^) My computer would not see the primary HD drive so what I had to do was to remove the second drive, forcing it to see only the one. I was then able to get it to work. The "Virus" was able to be quarentined, but would not let us use the Sys registary and would not boot up. That is the reason for reformating the primary drive, and getting rid of the "virus'. So, DW, it was NOT infact a virus? Hmmm, the computor sure acted like it had one. But all is fixed and well. Thanks all for the help. Beth

Thank you Beth, just pleased I was able to help andy