dear 830, sounds to me like you are not a computer expert. go see one. all these smart guy answers are not going to help you. there are some nasty viruses, that do not go away.

if you don't think so, visit a few russian porn sites. those places give serious viruses.

to reformat and reload you will need all existing relevant software, a source for your existing data and all those activation numbers.

Unfortunately, I have some bad news for you guys. My computer is crash. It was too many bad viruses and I lost all of those files onto Dell computer but. I couldn't get it back. I am already having a conversation with my friend David while we went to Temple during Yom Kippur service. He told us that it was too many viruses onto my computer. So I couldn't find CD at my house that I have reinstall Windows 7 again but, I can't find it at my house. He will have go to store to get new one for me.

Also, I have a pictures from my old email that I sent to my friends and etc. So I have redownload it to my laptop. That way I have to save these pictures and etc. I have to do redownload it from my pictures but, I couldn't get it back old pictures from old computer.

When new Windows 8 will be release? Do you know which the specific date is that? Will you guys try to give me some more info about new Windows 8 or I will have to used old Windows 7 for a while. Right now, I am on my laptop for a long time. I'm sorry that I am unable to get my old pictures and old files back, too. I couldn't get it back.

i did not think win 7 all that old. win 8 or 9 or 10 is not going to help you(only heaven can unless you change your computer habits)\\

what antivirus are you using? get a good one. pay money for it.

what backup system do you use? go buy a 1 or 2 TB external, and get a good backup system.

do not expect MS anti virus to do the job. if anyone wants to damage a computer, the first thing they do is write a virus that gets around MS antiV.

MS Security Essentials

Nah.

Are you telling me about win 8, 9, 10 won't be works at all? You didn't telling me about new Windows 8 release date?

Actually, I have AVG virus scan and I do not know how to use it.

to repeat,

"do not expect MS anti virus to do the job. if anyone wants to damage a computer, the first thing they do is write a virus that gets around MS antiV. "

in late 2010, the release date was to be late 2011. in late 2011, the release date is late 2012. what do you think that is going to do for you that the last 10 or so updates have not done, except cost more money?

avg is free, and not such a bad anti virus program, when loaded and properly working.

you might look at these reviews:

http://www.pcmag.com/reviews/antivirus#fbid=qWq7wzlD2_o

norton drove me crazy. always poking up. i have panda now, but it is pretty invasive also. popup window about every 20 min wants to know if i want to buy the 2012 version.

Can you please repeat the questions again? Are you telling me the Win 8 will be release in late-2012? I wasn't sure if you are corrected for which the those date is that.