Something is wrong with this comp, and I need help to get it working well again.

First off, I suspect it's a virus b/c I'm sending a HELL of alot more info than I'm recieving, and it only effects this comp when I'm online.

Got a new 4 gig hard drive last week, loaded windows XP on it, got about 3 days out of it before problems started. Now, I'm only getting 10-15 mins online before it crashes, and that amount of time lessens considerably if I use MSN Messenger. Now, with sending so much out, it makes my D/L rate drop to 1-2kb per second, so I don't have time to get a virus scanner d/l'ed.

Can I possibly wipe my hard drive and reload windows, hence ridding the drive of the virus? Or, is there a site with a scanner that can scan my shit w/o a download?

Somebody please help, I would SO love to get back online that I'd *CENSORED*, if I had to!!

You could use AVG's online scan, but if you can't stay connected, I don't know how well that'll go...

You can format the drive and get rid of it, yeah. If you don't have anything you need to save on there, I'd do that... and considering you've only had it a few days, and it's only 4 gigs, I doubt you've filled it too full. I'd just format and reinstall, then download AVG's free virus program right away and keep that running.

Right on, Lance...thanks. I'll go ahead and format the drive tomorrow afternoon after work, reload windows, and hopefully be back in business by normal posting time tomorrow night. Now I ask, tho...all I need to do to get started on that is start the comp w/ the Windows XP disk in the drive, right?

Also, it sounded like someone told me that the virus may make the drive unusable if the virus was written that way (when I wipe it)....is that possible? And also, what exactly, besides finding AVG's antivirus program right after I re-logon and D/L it, should I do? Do I need to D/L MSN updates right away, too?

Just need to be sure that I got this right. Thanks, Lance....knew I could count on you, bro.

Yeah, all you'll need is the XP cd, as long as it's not an upgrade version... but considering it's a new hd, it's a safe bet that it's a full version.
I doubt whatever it is will fuck up the drive.

Go for the XP security updates, I guess, once you're up and running. They should automatically pop up in the taskbar.

Casey's broke.