wow it really is suprising how much rubbish is on my computer. also, is it better to do a scan (avg virus+spyware, spybot, adaware etc) in safe mode?

there is one problem with what i did, i followed the installation instructions exactly, so i assumed it automatically quarantined the file, it just deleted it. it took the best part of 4hrs to scan, i hope i haven't messed it up big time.

here is the report:

---------------------------------------------------------
AVG Anti-Spyware - Scan Report
---------------------------------------------------------

+ Created at: 23:06:51 25/12/2006

+ Scan result:



C:\Program Files\DAEMON Tools\SetupDTSB.exe -> Adware.SaveNow : Cleaned.
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Synacast\SynaLive\EvID4226Patch.exe -> Backdoor.Virkel.A : Cleaned.
C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\My Documents\Downloads\XBox (emulators, Bios, hacking, utilities, skins, etc).rar/xtreme\Hacking Utilities\DVD_region_X_Patch.exe -> Not-A-Virus.VirTool.Win32.AvSpoffer.a : Cleaned.
C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\My Documents\gavins stuff\xbox stuff\utilities\XBox (emulators, Bios, hacking, utilities, skins, etc)\Hacking Utilities.rar/Hacking Utilities\DVD_region_X_Patch.exe -> Not-A-Virus.VirTool.Win32.AvSpoffer.a : Cleaned.
C:\Program Files\WinRAR\WinRAR.v3.42.ML.cRaCk.bY.SyberBoYs.ex e -> Not-A-Virus.VirTool.Win32.AvSpoffer.a : Cleaned.
:mozilla.119:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Adbrite : Cleaned.
:mozilla.120:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Adbrite : Cleaned.
:mozilla.121:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Adbrite : Cleaned.
:mozilla.157:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Adbrite : Cleaned.
:mozilla.180:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Adbrite : Cleaned.
:mozilla.59:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Adbrite : Cleaned.
:mozilla.61:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Adbrite : Cleaned.
:mozilla.62:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Adbrite : Cleaned.
:mozilla.349:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Adrevolver : Cleaned.
:mozilla.351:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Adrevolver : Cleaned.
:mozilla.352:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Adrevolver : Cleaned.
:mozilla.353:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Adrevolver : Cleaned.
:mozilla.354:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Adrevolver : Cleaned.
:mozilla.166:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Casalemedia : Cleaned.
:mozilla.167:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Casalemedia : Cleaned.
:mozilla.168:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Casalemedia : Cleaned.
:mozilla.169:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Casalemedia : Cleaned.
:mozilla.170:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Casalemedia : Cleaned.
:mozilla.171:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Casalemedia : Cleaned.
:mozilla.176:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Clickhype : Cleaned.
:mozilla.177:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Clickhype : Cleaned.
:mozilla.259:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Com : Cleaned.
:mozilla.261:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Com : Cleaned.
:mozilla.262:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Com : Cleaned.
:mozilla.321:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Esomniture : Cleaned.
:mozilla.192:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Euroclick : Cleaned.
:mozilla.193:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Euroclick : Cleaned.
:mozilla.194:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Euroclick : Cleaned.
:mozilla.195:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Euroclick : Cleaned.
:mozilla.196:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Euroclick : Cleaned.
:mozilla.101:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Goldenpalace : Cleaned.
:mozilla.102:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Goldenpalace : Cleaned.
:mozilla.96:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Goldenpalace : Cleaned.
:mozilla.97:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Goldenpalace : Cleaned.
:mozilla.98:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Goldenpalace : Cleaned.
C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Cookies\gavin@server.iad.liveperson[1].txt -> TrackingCookie.Liveperson : Cleaned.
:mozilla.151:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Serving-sys : Cleaned.
:mozilla.152:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Serving-sys : Cleaned.
:mozilla.153:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Serving-sys : Cleaned.
:mozilla.154:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Serving-sys : Cleaned.
:mozilla.155:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Serving-sys : Cleaned.
:mozilla.122:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Sexcounter : Cleaned.
:mozilla.123:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Sexcounter : Cleaned.
:mozilla.304:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Sitestat : Cleaned.
:mozilla.136:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Statcounter : Cleaned.
:mozilla.138:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Statcounter : Cleaned.
:mozilla.337:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Tacoda : Cleaned.
:mozilla.338:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Tacoda : Cleaned.
:mozilla.339:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Tacoda : Cleaned.
:mozilla.51:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Yieldmanager : Cleaned.
:mozilla.52:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Yieldmanager : Cleaned.
:mozilla.53:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Yieldmanager : Cleaned.
:mozilla.55:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Yieldmanager : Cleaned.
:mozilla.57:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Yieldmanager : Cleaned.
:mozilla.58:C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\un2oqrfy.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Yieldmanager : Cleaned.
C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\My Documents\Downloads\XBox (emulators, Bios, hacking, utilities, skins, etc).rar/xtreme\Utilities\BioXXFlasherV1_3.zip/BioXXFlasher.CAB/BioXX.dll -> Trojan.Agent.f : Cleaned with backup (quarantined).
C:\Documents and Settings\GAVIN\My Documents\gavins stuff\xbox stuff\utilities\XBox (emulators, Bios, hacking, utilities, skins, etc)\Utilities.rar/Utilities\BioXXFlasherV1_3.zip/BioXXFlasher.CAB/BioXX.dll -> Trojan.Agent.f : Cleaned with backup (quarantined).
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wnscptr.exe -> Trojan.Small : Cleaned.


::Report end

Ideally, you should quarantine any suspect files in case a mistake is made by a given tool and/or you find that you need to get back a given file deleted in error (such as for a false positive detection). You can always delete 'cookies' without any concern.

is it better to do a scan (avg virus+spyware, spybot, adaware etc) in safe mode?

SAFE MODE is generally only warranted when you need to ensure that a minimum number of running processes are in effect. Often that ensures that the very files you wish to delete are not running because it is very difficult to delete such files when they are running.

For the tools listed, AVG AS seems to be the main tool that is often run in SAFE MODE (because of the need to delete numerous files some running processes can interfere with that).

erm i have a problem. i get this error on startup

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM"

then underneath it asks me to insert windows xp cd to repair file, but its an oem installation of xp

my computer is an "it works" (oh the irony ) computer and has this recovery program called "pc angel"

here is a link to the website (it came factory shipped already installed on my pc) http://www.pcangelle.com/WW70AWP/WW7...YNC_1105119046

-------------------
just to cut this bit away from the explanation above, here are the option avaliable inside pc angel.

1. "non-destructive system recovery" - "the system recovery program, in this normal default mode of operation, recovers factory shipped applications, drivers and the operating system without affecting any data files you may have created since purchasing this pc. click next to continue"

2. "System recovery - no format" - "this option will install a new operating system while preserving all your data. however any windows applications and settings will need to be reinstalled. all current files will be moved to "my old disk structure" directory"

3. "system recovery - quick format" - "**WARNING** this option will format the user partion on the hard disk and recover all factory shipped files into the user partion. all your personal data files created and applications installed after the pc was purchased will be erased. if possible please quit and backup your data files before trying this destructive recovery option."

i hate xp, i insert an xp cd (i borrowed it) ran the cd, pressed r and left it for a while, and its completely reformatted my computer. ive lost all my data files and everything. i knew i should have used pc angel. the problem is that now i have to redo everything.

so i guess problem solved