[kurikun77]

My daughter's computer has 5 viruses on it. I've heard that I can start afresh, wiping them all out, by reinstalling XP on the computer, is this true? If so, is it hard for a non-techie to do? Thanks, Chris

 

[rude]

You could re-install your OS quite easily.Just Drop your xp cd into your cd rom and follow the prompts,however you could just as easily fix the virus problems using a series of free tools available for download on the net.

For Spybot Search & Destroy:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,22262,00.asp

For Adaware go here:
http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10045910.html?legacy=cnet

Virus scan and repair:
http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

It also sounds like your daughter is not using any anti virus programs or firewalls,both of which are an absolute nessessity for anyone using the internet.The following two links will take you to an extremely popular and effective anti virus program and an equally popular and effective firewall program.(I use both of them)

Get free AVG virus protection here:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

I highly recommend ZoneAlarm or ZoneAlarm Pro,you can find both here
For the free ZoneAlarm:
http://www.uant.net/firewall/zonealarmguide.html

For the purchased version of ZoneAlarm Pro:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/appli...&lid=nav_db

 

[Matrix28]

As said above, I have found the grisoft protector very good for free.