installation and setup

[grandtheft]

an old DELL laptop running XP3 reproduces virus any time i format it. i just dont know what to do?

 

[Golden]

Which virus? What anti-virus software is being used?

Is the installation media original/downloaded?

 

[Arc]

If the virus is in the BIOS, formatting the HDD will not free it up. Scan the system for possible virus infection.

• Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller
• Windows Defender Offline
  

Also, as Golden suggested, it may come from the installation media itself.

 

[gregrocker]

Sometimes formatting may not be enough. I would wipe the HD first with Diskpart Clean All Command.

Then boot the XP CD to full format a new partition you create for install.

Use the Win7 firewall with Microsoft Security Essentials or Avast free, scanning regularly with Malwarebtyes and SuperAntiSpyware.