Un-operating system

by Jessica Dolcourt

Font size
Print
E-mail
Share
7 comments

Spyware has smashed the Windows operating system.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

David's friend calls him in a panic. There's something wrong with his computer, and it's clearly malware.

However, when David attempts to reboot the Windows machine, he discovers that the problem lies much deeper--the whole operating system, it seems, has been corrupted beyond repair.

How does David resuscitate his friend's computer and save his important data in the process? Learn David's creative solution in this week's Spyware Horror Story.

Jessica Dolcourt reviews the latest and greatest smartphone apps, in addition to a healthy dose of Windows software. E-mail Jessica and follow her on Twitter.

Topics:: Security and spyware,; Windows Software

Tags:: Spyware Horror Story,; Linux,; Ubuntu

Share:: Digg; Del.icio.us; Reddit; Facebook

Recent posts from The Download Blog: Gameloft's iPhone games on sale for 99 cents; Tell the time and destroy the Death Star: iPhone Apps of the week; Windows Starter Kit refreshed for 2010; Big changes in Security Starter Kit 2010; Why to embrace Firefox 3.6's new-tab ethos; Sale: CoPilot Live GPS for iPhone, $19.99; Three apps we're thankful for; Mozilla issues near-final Thunderbird 3

Add a Comment (Log in or register) (7 Comments)

u6tujkhjkhjkhkhkhkhk
by bcksady July 5, 2007 11:46 PM PDT: salut?
nici o problema am auzitghj
gjghjgjghjhkhkhjkhkhkfghrtyryryr; Like this Reply to this comment

Too Bad...=[
by snobullz July 7, 2007 7:28 AM PDT: I was just wondering...how is Linux doing for you? Is it a hard switch from windows? And i am sorry that you had to leave faithful windows behind...Becarful what you do on the PC!

Happy Browsing!; Like this Reply to this comment

i want sup7 plz
by barekelhob July 7, 2007 6:59 PM PDT: hay i wanna the sup7 program plz i want it; Like this Reply to this comment

how to do that ah
by hi im new July 8, 2007 2:14 AM PDT: how you do that and thin are ????; Like this Reply to this comment

toate fetele la mine
by leatradu July 8, 2007 4:19 PM PDT: fetelor veniti la mine ca avem ce discuta ce doar eu va iubesc; Like this Reply to this comment

From fellow victim..and convert to Ubuntu.
by lucindathefun July 8, 2007 10:45 PM PDT: Just this past week I had similar sort of thing happen on windows. Like you my data was also saved by Ubuntu. I switched and never will look back...*sort of* I will be clear I did everything I should daily if not twice a day scans of my system. Updated virus protection daily, or when I got alerts. Regular spy-bot s&d updates and scans. Despite my best efforts my system was wrecked by something. My beloved has been long time Linux guy, and knew just what to do to save my data, like you my windows files were gone. I was so feed up with things I decided to give Ubuntu a try I love it! Now I must admit I have to dual boot with xp, because I have few adobe apps I use for my art that aren't ported to Linux yet. But windows will no longer be used to surf the net. Just as soon as I can get all my graphics programs or good programs with similar function found and learned on Ubuntu. I am never going back to windows. Not to mention the install for Ubuntu what dream it was done in 1/4 the time it takes to install windows and it found all my hardware. On my abit mother board I have to take two hours to load all the drivers for xp. Ubuntu did all that for me and it all worked perfectly. My nvivda graphics card driver I did have to click box to tell it to install the driver. Then I sat back while Ubuntu hit the nvida server told it what it needed, then Ubuntu installed it. Piece of cake, though I felt like the other shoe would surely fall. That installing a os CANNOT be this easy no way, no how. The other shoe did fall but it was the sudden realization of how much faster my computer did just about everything. The games that are ported or can be ported via vmware server or wine run better cleaner and with better render, less hangs then they ever did on Windows. My only regret in the whole process was that fact I couldn't totally ditch windows, due to my few art programs. Truly Ubuntu has been joy, I no longer dread turning on my pc. If you are unsure give it dry with dual boot or livecd version of Ubuntu. It helps having a Linux friend to walk you through things. If not the Ubuntu forums and irc channel is full of knowledgeable and helpful people. I encourage anyone who is either not attached to windows or just utterly sick of dealing with windows to give it whirl. I have been so pleasantly surprised. I learned on windows, I knew windows, I was scared to switch. But I equate my illogical feelings of dread of change similar to battered wife syndrome. I knew windows would smack me around, but knew what to expect. I say BE BOLD, and give something new a try! You might just like it. If not you can always go crawling back to the os that smacks you around and steels your money.

One the best parts of Ubuntu..it's free, and works like dream!

Lucindathefun
new and forever always a Ubuntu user.; Like this Reply to this comment

HAHA!! Smacked around..
by buckley5 July 9, 2007 12:26 PM PDT: Battered Wife syndrome... that's the best! :) That has to be the best Micro$oft comparisons I've heard yet!

Keep enjoying Linux and slowly but surly, with a bit of help from Windows' own undoing itself... the world will be a better place bit by bit.

cya!; Like this Reply to this comment