Don't know password

"several years old"

Should note that the Core2 processor has been out for several years (8!!). In fact, it has been out since 2006. It is a 64 bit processor.

Processor technology has slowed down a bit in development. Anything Core2 or later is plenty fast for 99% of the users.

Where computers are gaining the most now-a-days is in the I/O channels. I had a customer wanting to buy a new computer and I convinced them they don't need one and simply adding more memory (it had 2 GB, they maxed it out at 4 GB) and changing the hard drive over to an SSD or hybrid drive would make a world of difference. They went with an SSD and were completely blown away with the speed difference. Their laptop was a Core2 duo running at 2.2 Ghz.

And, as a System administrator of many linux machines, while harder to get malware, it is actually easier to take over. SSH is not the most secure protocol out there.
I love linux, but still don't recommend it for those that are not willing to put up with a learning curve.

NORM WADDELL wrote:
I am reading your replies. The computer was
given to me, a few years ago. After screen
warning of big trouble yesterday, my wife
was called by Microsoft (they said!)

Microsoft never calls People. That said, I do have a Solution.
I am suggesting this because you say the Computer is several Years old. That means it is a 32 Bit System. If you want, you can install Linux.
I use the Zorin Distribution because it can be set to look and act like either windozeXP or Windoze7. Linux works Great for Computers that are older.
It is free and they issue regular Updates. It is just about Impossible to get a Virus because the System cannot be taken over from the Outside. Even if somebody calls you and tells you they are from Microsoft, they cannot take over your Computer remotely. It is what I use.

laptop or desktop?

typically what I would do is take the hard drive out and put it in another computer that has a really good anti-malware program on it. I typically use Microsoft Security Essentials. Run a custom full scan over the suspect HD and then just gather the files I want to save onto another drive.

At first I thought you were seeing BIOS password, but typically it is a black or logo screen, not a pretty picture.

Buying a new computer because of an issue like this is like buying a new car just because someone puked in the backseat of your old one. Good cleaning and you're good to go.

I can probably help if I knew you mother's maiden name and your SS number :-)

What the scammers likely did was have your wife enable remote access. Then went in and changed the account password. You need to use a tool to reset the login passwords.

You can try using the freeware PC Login Now. Download the .iso file and burn it to a CD using another computer. Then place the self booting CD in your locked PC and restart your computer. Note you may have to set the BIOS to boot to CD first.

Once you have access to your PC, don't use the computer without first scanning with Kaspersky Rescue Disk. Download the free .iso file here. And burn it to CD. Reboot with CD in computer and let it do a full scan.

Make sure to have a real antivirus software installed. Not Microsoft Security Essentials(MSE) which is just a very basic AV package due to its relatively low detection rates. There are several free AV packages available. I'd recommend BitDefender Free. Rated as high as the best paid AV packages, while using lower resources than even MSE.

Otherwise, you can always pull the hard drive and use it in another computer as source to extract your old files.

BTW, if you recycle/donate the computer, you don't need to destroy the hard drive. Just delete all files and write over the free space at least one time. More times is a waste of time with high density HDs.

X3

pappcam wrote:
I'll go out on a limb here and say that the OP isn't really much of a computer expert and almost all the solutions posted here are beyond his technical know how.

I totally agree.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that the OP isn't really much of a computer expert and almost all the solutions posted here are beyond his technical know how.

No need to toss the machine. I'd recommend using Derik's Boot & Nuke (DBAN) and make a CD or bootable USB flash drive, erasing all the drives on the box completely, then reinstalling Windows.

If you do decide to junk it...wipe the drive or smash it.(If you have any personal stuff on it.)