Broken Taskbar Links, Missing programs and folders. Virus? Help!

[caligrown]

Ok will do, thanks for trying to help!

I'm going to go ahead and wipe the secondary HDD as well being that it is nearly empty and I just want to do a completely fresh install. With that in mind, do I have these steps correct? Anything else to know?

1- Burn Win 7 SP1 ISO & Media Refresh to USB via http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

2- Wipe data HDD with "clean" diskpart command and unplug Disk - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

3- Wipe SSD with "clean" diskpart command (same as above)

4- Reformat SSD and do a clean install http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

5- Reinstall AV & other programs

6- Make a damn Backup image so I don't have to do this again!

 

[VistaKing]

Install Windows without the 2TB plugged in . Plug it back in when the installation of windows is completed . Will you be moving your Data files to the other hard drive (2TB) ?

 

[caligrown]

Yes, I move user folders and install steam and games on the 2TB data drive. If I were to wipe that drive too though, should I do that after a fresh install?

 

[caligrown]

Or can I wipe that drive first, unplug it, then wipe the ssd & install?

 

[VistaKing]

You want to wipe both drives . The 2TB will take a while

If you want take a look at the link below

:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/285983-user-profile-customize-during-installation.html

 

[caligrown]

Thanks again, here we go!

 

[VistaKing]

If you have any questions you could always ask .

 

[caligrown]

I should just use the "clean" command prompt right? Not "clean all"?

 

[VistaKing]

Clean all will take a long time including on the 2TB will take even longer .

 

[caligrown]

Alright, well only a couple hundred more updates and fresh Windows 7 is all ready to go!

So now I'm curious, is there any way I can be any safer using this PC? If this really was the result of some sort of virus or something, is there any other software I should have?

I already have MSE, malwarebytes and SAS, and I use a few tracker blocker addons with chrome

 

[VistaKing]

I wouldn't install Spybot Bot and AD-Aware . Just be careful of what you download . If anything double check if you could uncheck the toolbars that come with some free software .

 

[caligrown]

Yeah I didn't install Spybot this time per recommendations here.

You mean Ad-Aware the antivirus program? I use some Ad-blocking addons with Chrome which are a lifesaver. (Hope you don't mean those!)

I never download or visit anything dubious whatsoever, so it's still a mystery how my OS got so corrupted..

I also follow most of the steps in these optimization guides, could anything there be causing problems?

The SSD Optimization Guide Redesigned | The SSD Review

&

The Windows 7 Optimization Guide | The SSD Review

 

[VistaKing]

Ad-aware is a old spyware program from LavaSoft . The plugin for Chrome Adblock plus is fine