Does anyone can provide a "dummy" proof how to format a hard drive?
I have a worn virus and I was told that they only way that I might be able to get rid of it is by formatting the hard drive and install my OS clean again.

Oh by the way, how can i save Microsoft Publisher from the computer that I'm about to format so i can re-install it again? I run out of the number of times that I can install it from the original CD.

Thanks

First before you go doing anything, please make sure you have all your data backed up. Not your programs, as they may have the virus or worm in them but just the data like you pictures, saved files, documents, videos, music, and other associated user data. In Vista and Windows 7 it's your users folder in the C drive. In XP and prior versions its' your 'document and settings' folder in the c:\Windows folder. However you decide to get your files is up to you, just make sure you back them up as it's a good chance you may loose your data following the information below.

Now before you do a clean install which is usually the best way to ensure you have a clean system, try running the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.aspx and see if it can't remove the virus or worm you have. Also, run your antivirus program and see if it can't fix your problem. If you don't have one, Microsoft has an excellent one that is completely free called Security Essentials http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/. If after doing the above, your computer still has issues or you suspect that the virus or worm is still on the computer, then I would recommend you go ahead and do a clean install.

Now on to doing a clean install.

If you have a newer computer from a good manufacturer, you will have an easy way to do a clean install. Basically your computer will have a separate partition with an image of your system the way you got it from the manufacturer. You will have to reboot it and press one of the function keys ('F' Keys). to get into the system restore. Once you are in the system restore menu, you will be given a wizard that will walk you through restoring the computer the way you got it from the manufacturer. I wrote a little more about that process here: www.kmctechguy.com/forums/general/70-res...uter-without-cd.html.

If you don't have a newer computer, or a restore partition set up, then you should either have a restore CD/DVD from the manufacturer or a Windows install CD/DVD. You just put this into your CD/DVD drive, reboot and when the computer boots up it will ask you if you want to boot from CD and to press any key. Do this and you will boot into the CD. If you have a system restore CD, then you will be given a wizard to restore your computer back to manufacturer default settings. If you are using a Windows install CD, it will see that you have a previous version of Windows and ask if you want to do an install or repair. Choose the install method, and then it will ask if you want to delete the partition and format the drive. Do this but make sure you select the right drive (usually the largest drive). If you are asked if you want to do a quick format, do not select this option. You want to do the long format as this is the better way to make sure the virus is gone. After the format, it will begin installing Windows.

Once you have a clean install make sure you update your computer until there are no more updates, and install an antivirus program. Do this before you do anything else after your clean install. Now go ahead and install your programs and restore your data. If you have Microsoft programs that will not allow you to activate again, you will have to do the activation process and choose to do over the phone. The key to the activation is that after so many installs Microsoft wants to make sure that you are only installing the program on one machine. So when you call them and provide them with the system key, it will ask you how many computers you have it installed on. Say one and then you should be provided with a verification key that will activate your copy of the Microsoft product you are using.

If you need more help or further explanation, let me know. Hope this helps.