My computer just died (svchost.exe error = virus)

[mazeroth]

My computer (in sig) of 1.5 years just got a virus (I've never used virus protection in my life; now it just bit me). I took the HD out and went to my brother's to back-up the things I needed off of it. He has a Mac Pro that's immune to the virus and we checked them before copying them to a DVD. Anywho, I figured now would be a perfect time to build a new computer as I would have to format my computer anyhow. I am wanting to go Core 2 Duo as cheaply as possible and would like to hit 3.0-3.2 ghz on air cooling (stock cooler, if possible). The bad news is I'm without a computer right now and limited on time so I don't have the 8-10 hours I would like to research exactly what I should get.

With that, could you guys please point me to a good deal on a motherboard, CPU and RAM for this new computer? Full size ATX board, please. I'd like to build it as cheaply as possible but something reliable that will OC well and not crash on me. If I could get the three for under $300 that would be great, $250 would be FANTASTIC (less chance of wife killing me).

I will also probably sell my DFI Lanparty 939 with 3500+ retail and 1GB Corsair Value Select. Any idea what I could get for all three in a combo? If it's not a lot I'll probably build another HTPC out of it.

Thank you very much!

 

[robtk3]

Have a friend download and burn a Knoppix bootable cd (I keep one for just such an emergency). You can then use your own system to research as long as you please. Sorry I couldn't answer your original question, but I hope my tip helps somehow.

 

[mazeroth]

Thanks for the tip. Anyone?

 

[John]

FWIW a new pc isn't going to stop you from getting viruses. It only takes (most people) an hour to install Windows and drivers. Then you can take the time to research on your own.

In regards to your price check they aren't allowed. However you might be able to fetch $150 for all 3 components.

 

[Synomenon]

You want to build a new PC just because you got a virus? Just zero-fill your hard drive and get a good anti-virus app. and anti-spyware app.. Also, you might need to change your browsing habits and stop opening links and attachments in emails from unknown senders (if you do that).

 

[Idontcare]

ha ha, come on guys, the dude NEEDS this excuse for getting a new system...you all can't be single...sometimes the wife needs to know replacements are not an option and the blame goes squarely onto the shoulders of "those gosh darn virus writers, dey toook are jawbs!"

 

[mazeroth]

Hehe. Guys, I know how to format a hard drive and even have a program that will zero out my drive 20x if I want it to. I have been wanting to upgrade for a few months and me getting this virus just put me over the edge on building a new one. I'm pretty much sold on the E4300 but need a good/cheap motherboard and one of the cheap RAM choices in the Hot Deals forums.

Thanks!

 

[jkresh]

$300 and 3ghz is tough but probably doable. For motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128042 or any 965 board is ok ($95 is a great price), for Ram check the hot deals forum you should be able to find 2x1gb for less then $100 after rebates, (possibly much less then 100). That leaves cpu. An e4300 (cheapest core 2) might hit 3ghz and the early ones did reasonably often but they are binning them better now and I don't think 3ghz on stock is all that probable. Over clocks are never guaranteed but I would say consider your budget and decide if the extra $50 to $80 to go to a better cpu (4megs cache vs 2 and higher chance of 3ghz) is worth it or if you would be happy if you could only get the 4300 to 2.5 or so. Considering you are running a single core even a 4300 at stock will be a fairly significant upgrade over what you currently have (as will the 2gigs or ram) so you will probably be happy with the 4300. Also will quad cores hitting $250 or so this summer they could very likely be in the $100-$150 range buy next spring and a nice drop in upgrade. One last thing to consider is there is another round of price cuts in july which might bring an e6600 into your range (which would all but guarantee 3ghz) so if you can rebuild your current machine and wait a month there will be new options.