downloading antivirus without contamination

[guybc]

I am resuscitating an older laptop (windows xp). It has no antivirus software.
Without protection on the Internet, Avast and similar software are buried by other websites advertising various commodities, which overpower the proper downloads.
I have downloaded Avast in my own PC to a flash drive and added it to the laptop, but there is only an error message as a result.
What is the answer to this problem?

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

I can't explain why one wouldn't be able to download a security application's installer to a flash drive and transfer it to the XP box.

A few things come to mind:

• Some current AV software no longer supports the XP operating system -- perhaps Avast will not run on XP because it's not compatible with that OS (a screen shot of the error message might be helpful)?
• If you are "resuscitating" an *XP* box (that sounds as if it is already infected, at least with adware/junkware, if not true malware), a reformat would probably be the best/safest way to go?
• If the box *is* heavily infected, it can sometimes be hard to install AV software, even if it is compatible. The box might need to be cleaned (or reformatted) first.
• This is sevenforums.com -- I'm sure the folks here are happy to help with this XP box, but there are other places that still provide active support for XP, such as the XP forum at bleepingcomputer.com, or a computer disinfection forum?

Cheers,

 

[guybc]

I must apologise for posting a XP problem on Windows 7 Forum. My PC has Windows 7 and I have visited this Forum for years, so it was habit to come here.
Thank you Moxie Momma for taking the trouble to reply and for the advice.

 

[americancritic2]

Hello guybc do you have malwarebytes installed if not I would, the free version along with superantispyware which has a free version also. If you have been infected these 2 will find it.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

No apologies are needed, of course.
And I'm sure many of the fine, smart folks here are still facile with XP and willing to help.

I just thought that -- if my very rudimentary suggestions didn't work -- you might find a larger critical mass of folks who still work with XP in a different venue, especially if the box is infected.
Cleaning XP and -- more importantly -- REPAIRING XP, if damaged by malware, can be a bit dicey.
The OS is so long out of support from MS, that it's hard to find drivers, etc.

EDIT: It likely won't hurt to run MBAM +/- SAS, but the system may need deeper work with additional tools and (IMHO) a bit of expert help.

Cheers,

 

[Layback Bear]

Here is one of our sister forums that might help if need be.

Windows XP

 

[Alejandro85]

Without protection on the Internet, Avast and similar software are buried by other websites advertising various commodities, which overpower the proper downloads.

Nothing like that. You have to use the original site for each software, saying away from any third party site will suffice to ensure clean downloads. Infected computer will obviously cause problems but ad-infected sites and fake downloads are independient of the computer itself.
Your common sense plays a very important role here.

I have downloaded Avast in my own PC to a flash drive and added it to the laptop, but there is only an error message as a result.

What error? Without some kind of detail is impossible to come with a possible solution.

Anyway, if you have suspicions that the computer in question is compromised, then the ONLY safe way is to reformat it and clean install the OS to ensure it's really clean. But if you know for a fact that the system has never been in trouble, it's just easier to use it to download anything it needs.

All this is also OS-independient. It could apply the same way if the computer has XP, 7, Linux or Mac.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Nothing like that. You have to use the original site for each software, saying away from any third party site will suffice to ensure clean downloads. Infected computer will obviously cause problems but ad-infected sites and fake downloads are independient of the computer itself.
Your common sense plays a very important role here.

Excellent point about only downloading software directly from the publisher's own site, not 3rd-party sites.

Anyway, if you have suspicions that the computer in question is compromised, then the ONLY safe way is to reformat it and clean install the OS to ensure it's really clean. <snip>

All this is also OS-independient. It could apply the same way if the computer has XP, 7, Linux or Mac.

Agree.
My only point is that it's a bit harder to work with XP nowadays because support is limited to non-MS sources.
And since this is sevenforums.com, @LaybackBear and I were only nudging the OP towards venues that are more active with XP support.
If the OP is not experienced with or comfortable undertaking either malware cleanup or a reformat on his own, he might wish to take advantage of the excellent available support resources at the other fora.

That is all.

Cheers,

MM

 

[Layback Bear]

All I was trying to do is give another resource of information for XP problems with our sister forum.

At the bottom of each page on this form is a list of our Sister Forums.
All of which would be another source of information for a particular operating system.
It cost nothing to take a look at these and just maybe some information or help can be found.
That it, no more, no less.

• Vista Forums
• Eight Forums
• Ten Forums
• PC Help Forum

 

[americancritic2]

Hello again Layback Bear I agree 100% you should follow the instructions...

 

[Layback Bear]

Just exactly what instructions should I follow?