If you are unable to get rid of spyware or viruses through spyware detection you do have other options. The other options of course are to reload the OS which will depend on your technical capability or to power off the machine and scan the hard drive while it is in DOS or with a Linux boot disk. The reason behind this is that the Linux operating system may still read your hard drive but will not be affected by the commands or code of the spyware or virus.
Here is a list of FREE Bootable AntiVirus and Spyware Rescue CDs:
1. Kaspersky Rescue Disk - Bootable CD Rom that is DOS based
Follow these instructions step-by-step:
1. Download the Kaspersky Rescue Disk ISO file.
2. Burn the Kaspersky Rescue Disk ISO image to a CD using CD/DVD burning software. (Roxio, AVS, IBM).
3. Once you finish burning the Kaspersky Rescue Disk into a bootable CD media, insert the bootable Kaspersky Rescue Disk CD into the CD ROM drive and boot the computer by loading CD ROM media first. (Note: You may have to change the drive boot order, which includes either going into the BIOS and changing the order or press the F2 or F12 key to bring up the boot order menu).
4. Then a Linux boot screen appear and present a Kaspersky boot menu. Simply press the Enter key to start booting the Linux based Kaspersky Rescue CD.
5. At first glance, a definition update screen will display the PC’s attempt to connect to the Internet to retrieve new file updates. You may see a reference to the program being out of date. If you have a live Internet connection, the program will attempt to download the new updates.
6. Next, switch back to the main screen and simply choose the drives you would like scan. Depending on the speed of the PC, it may take a while to scan the hard drive or drives selected.
7. Upon completion of the scan you will be able to see how many viruses and spyware the Kaspersky program has detected.
If you would like more information about Kaspersky, feel free to check out the website at: http://www.kaspersky.com
2. BitDefender Rescue CD – http://www.bitdefender.com
3. F-Secure Rescue CD – http://www.f-secure.com
4. Avira Rescue CD – http://www.avira.com
5. Trinity Rescue CD -http://trinityhome.org