Even the most well guarded computers may occasionally catch a virus. If you have adequate protection you may be able to get rid of viruses the moment you catch them. However, some viruses can be very stubborn. Sometimes the best way to remove a stubborn virus is to take advantage of the Selective Startup mode in Windows XP.
The Windows XP selective startup mode will help you get rid of those viruses that come back even after your virus software has recognized them. These viruses are hard to get rid of because their process starts to run as soon as you start your computer. If you have ever tried to delete a file that you were currently using, you would have noticed that a message will tell you that you cannot delete the file because another program was using it. This is the same type of event that occurs when your virus software tries to delete the virus.
To prevent the virus from starting when your computer starts, Windows XP has included a way of starting your computer with only the necessary programs. This means that all of the extra stuff including messengers, music players, and viruses will not be allowed to automatically start when your computer does.
In order to access the system configuration utility in Windows XP, you must use the run command. This is accessed by clicking on the start button in the lower left hand corner of your screen. This will bring up your programs and at the bottom you will notice the word run with a space for typing next to it. In this area you will type msconfig and press enter. This will bring up your system configuration utility.
You will see five tabs in the Windows XP system configuration utility screen. These tabs are general, boot, services, startup, and tools. The general tab has three options including normal, diagnostic, and selective startup modes. If you do not know what program is running your virus than it is best to choose diagnostic startup mode. This will load only the programs that are necessary to run your computer. If you know what program is running your virus you use the other tabs to prevent only that program from starting.
After you have selected the mode or program that you want, you will have to restart your computer. When the computer restarts a message will pop up saying that you have started your computer in selective start up mode. Click on the appropriate box and run a virus scan. This should remove the virus completely. If this does not cure your virus, you may have to try some more extensive removal techniques or contact an expert.
Please note that Windows Vista also has the system configuration utility. However, you will not see the run command in the same place as Windows XP. Instead you must click on the windows icon, select all programs, select accessories, and finally you will click on run to see the run command window. Type in msconfig just as with Windows XP. Windows Vista will than ask you if you want to open the system configuration utility. Click continue and you will follow the same directions as listed previously.
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