notebook broken!!AHHHHH!!

[mncmopars]

Hi! Finally back! I called asus tech & asked about recovery console & he took me to the bios to disable boot booster, then hit f9 but after about 5 tries & just kept loading windows, he said my partition was gone & needed recovery disc,(which they want 30.for!) can`t believe I didnt get one when I bought it! grrrr! So whaddya think now? Thnx!!

[SuperDave]

It would appear that they have you over a barrel but it would be $30 well-spent.

[mncmopars]

Hi hun! Yes, they do!lol Well, I guess I don`t have much choice but to order it! That`s how my luck rolls anyway, gettin pretty used to it! lol Thnx again & I guess I`ll be back! Wish I could be of help to someone else but I`m pretty computer stupid! ttys!

[SuperDave]

I'm sorry to hear about that. Didn't you say that your computer doesn't have a disk drive. How is a recovery disk going to help you? Before you leave I would like to give you some information which, I think, will be helpful once you get your computer reformatted.

Remember to only install one antivirus!
 
1) Avast! Home Edition
2) AVG Free Edition
3) Avira AntiVir Personal
4) Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows Vista\Windows 7 - 64 bit Download
4-a) Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows XP
5) Comodo Antivirus (Uncheck during installation "Install Comodo SafeSurf..", Make Comodo my default search provider" and "Make Comodo Search my homepage" if you choose this one)
6) PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition

It is strongly recommended that you run only one antivirus program at a time. Having more than one antivirus program active in memory uses additional resources and can result in program conflicts and false virus alerts. If you choose to install more than one antivirus program on your computer, then only one of them should be active in memory at a time.
******************************************
Firewalls protect against hackers and malicious intruders. You need to download a free firewall from one of these reliable vendors.

Remember only install ONE firewall

1) Comodo Personal Firewall (Uncheck during installation "Install Comodo SafeSurf..", Make Comodo my default search provider" and "Make Comodo Search my homepage" and uncheck any HopSurf and/or Ask.com options if you choose this one)
2) Online Armor
3) Agnitum Outpost
4) PC Tools Firewall Plus

If you are using the built-in Windows XP firewall, it is not recommended as it does not block outgoing connections. This means that any malware on your computer is free to "phone home" for more instructions. Simply put, Windows XP contains a mediocre firewall. This firewall is NO replacement for a dedicated software solution. Remember to use only one firewall at the same time.
***************************************
Use the Secunia Software Inspector to check for out-of-date software.

•Click Start Now

•Check the box next to Enable thorough system inspection.

•Click Start

•Allow the scan to finish and scroll down to see if any updates are needed.
•Update anything listed.
.
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Go to Microsoft Windows Update and get all critical updates.

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I suggest using WOT - Web of Trust. WOT is a free Internet security addon for your browser. It will keep you safe from online scams, identity theft, spyware, spam, viruses and unreliable shopping sites. WOT warns you before you interact with a risky website. It's easy and it's free.

SpywareBlaster- Secure your Internet Explorer to make it harder for ActiveX programs to run on your computer. Also stop certain cookies from being added to your computer when running Mozilla based browsers like Firefox.
* Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware
* If you don't know what ActiveX controls are, see here

Protect yourself against spyware using the Immunize feature in Spybot - Search & Destroy. Guide: Use Spybot's Immunize Feature to prevent spyware infection in real-time. Note: To ensure you have the latest Immunizations always update Spybot - Search & Destroy before Immunizing. Spybot - Search & Destroy FAQ

Check out Keeping Yourself Safe On The Web for tips and free tools to help keep you safe in the future.
Good Luck! 

[mncmopars]

Hi SD!! WOW! Thanks for all that info! Will definately do that! I DO have another question though just out of curiousity?? Before I have to order the disc from them, I decided to try something so I`m not throwing away 30. (not that its much, but still,lol!) Being as I have no disc drive, I put a copy of recovery disc from the computer I`m on now, (my desktop) different brands,etc. but same os. onto my flashdrive. I went back to notebook,went to the bios & set it to boot from usb. Was just curious if it would read anything or if its gonna work if i get disc?? I`m so confused!!lol Anyway, it didnt work! I`m trying to do test runs first. Is there something I did wrong? I even disabled 2nd & 3rd boot hoping to just read from usb but dumb thing just keeps loading windows??grrrrr Just thought I`d ask!!hehe I`m gonna give you a headache soon, I drove murf nuts with my dads i think but God bless him!!ttys! thnx again!

[SuperDave]

Are you sure that you're saving the changes in the BIOS? Does your BIOS have the option to boot from the usb drive?

[mncmopars]

hi! sorry, been so busy, haven`t been on. Yes, I hit F10 to save all changes after I set it to boot from usb but all it does is flash the cursor? nothing else. My one friend said u cant boot from usb on these computers but I wouldn`t know why if you`re able to set it to do so?? WOW, how confusing! thnx babes!

[SuperDave]

Since you have no disk drive I can't think of any other way the OS could be installed on the computer. You may be able to do a network installation. Your best bet would be to contact the maker of your computer and ask them those questions.