<p>If a reinstall is not an option for you then you should do the following:</p>

<p>Requires: CCleaner</p>

<ol>
<li>Boot in Safe Mode so that any malware start up entries don't get executed.</li>
<li>Use CCleaner to clean up disk space and registry.</li>
<li>Inspect the Start Up list for any suspicious/unwanted entries and
remove them.</li>
<li>Reboot the computer.</li>
<li>Use any anti-virus to remove any present malware and clean infected
files.</li>
</ol>

<p>This should clean your old pc.</p>

<p>Source: Experience</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-23T21:58:04.880Z
Terrible advice! Anything short of complete wipe and reinstall is insufficient. And even then you have to hope there's nothing hidden in any BIOS of the PC or the harddisk or any other flash ROMs.
Jannes
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-24T04:37:05.543Z
You cant remove BIOS infection by a reinstall. Also the virus on the hard disk  would get removed by using the av but before that safe mode has to be used so that they don't get executed and prevent access to av sites ie ransomware. Why the down votes then?
LRNAB
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-24T09:02:10.803Z
Bios: that's what i said, and there are many more places where malware may hide. Downvotes: cause you're better off just removing the answer. It's misleading as 'accepted answer'. The whole question is off topic and on hold anyway.
Jannes
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-24T09:06:00.253Z
It's not misleading. It's according to the requirement of the question.
LRNAB
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-23T11:21:47.770Z
2014-03-23T17:52:07.333Z
2014-03-23T17:52:07.333Z
LRNAB
<p>Let's say I am about to set my Grandmother up with a wallet. I have no idea what she has on her computer. There could be a host of malware, keyloggers etc. Let's also say that a complete wipe and reinstall is not an option. </p>

<p>I was thinking of what steps I could use to give the maximum protection.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I could use CCleaner to wipe any temporary files. This will remove any excess past data she has generated.</p></li>
<li><p>I could then use a program spybot search and destroy to check for any malware. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>What else could I do to check if there are any threats on the computer?   </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-22T19:29:48.350Z
Pave it and start over? If you suspect malware, why do anything less?
Greg Hewgill
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-23T01:38:01.883Z
Do a backup, then format and reinstall her computer, next install a bitcoin client within a virtual machine appliance and not directly on the real machine's OS. Or better yet: buy her a Raspberry Pi, configure it as a single purpose computer/tablet and install a client onto it. If she can't install sw. nor navigate the web on it she'd be most safe!
Joe Pineda
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-23T10:16:43.570Z
Thanks guys I added some clarity, I meant if a total reinstall is not an option also.
SeanyMcA
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-23T20:16:29.033Z
This question appears to be off-topic because it is about general virus cleaning a Microsoft machine. It would likely better be asked on another StackExchange site.
dchapes
<security><windows><virus><malware>
What are the methods for getting an old, used windows P.C. ready for secure Bitcoin usage?
SeanyMcA
# What are the methods for getting an old, used windows P.C. ready for secure Bitcoin usage?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-03-22)

Let's say I am about to set my Grandmother up with a wallet. I have no idea what she has on her computer. There could be a host of malware, keyloggers etc. Let's also say that a complete wipe and reinstall is not an option.

I was thinking of what steps I could use to give the maximum protection.

1. I could use CCleaner to wipe any temporary files. This will remove any excess past data she has generated.
2. I could then use a program spybot search and destroy to check for any malware.

What else could I do to check if there are any threats on the computer?

**Tags:** security, windows, virus, malware

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Pave it and start over? If you suspect malware, why do anything less?  
> **username_2**: Do a backup, then format and reinstall her computer, next install a bitcoin client within a virtual machine appliance and not directly on the real machine's OS. Or better yet: buy her a Raspberry Pi, configure it as a single purpose computer/tablet and install a client onto it. If she can't install sw. nor navigate the web on it she'd be most safe!  
> **username_0**: Thanks guys I added some clarity, I meant if a total reinstall is not an option also.  
> **username_3**: This question appears to be off-topic because it is about general virus cleaning a Microsoft machine. It would likely better be asked on another StackExchange site.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2014-03-23. Score: -2 | Accepted answer

If a reinstall is not an option for you then you should do the following:

Requires: CCleaner

1. Boot in Safe Mode so that any malware start up entries don't get executed.
2. Use CCleaner to clean up disk space and registry.
3. Inspect the Start Up list for any suspicious/unwanted entries and
   remove them.
4. Reboot the computer.
5. Use any anti-virus to remove any present malware and clean infected
   files.

This should clean your old pc.

Source: Experience

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: Terrible advice! Anything short of complete wipe and reinstall is insufficient. And even then you have to hope there's nothing hidden in any BIOS of the PC or the harddisk or any other flash ROMs.  
> **username_4**: You cant remove BIOS infection by a reinstall. Also the virus on the hard disk  would get removed by using the av but before that safe mode has to be used so that they don't get executed and prevent access to av sites ie ransomware. Why the down votes then?  
> **username_5**: Bios: that's what i said, and there are many more places where malware may hide. Downvotes: cause you're better off just removing the answer. It's misleading as 'accepted answer'. The whole question is off topic and on hold anyway.  
> **username_4**: It's not misleading. It's according to the requirement of the question.  

---

