Viruses!! Must reinstall Windows, what to do?

My boss gave me the assignment of "fixing" his son's computer, which is a laptop that was so infested with virus that Windows won't boot. I think I'll need to format the computer and re-install Windows.

I have a Windows XP CD, and the computer does not have a floppy drive. I haven't formatted a computer since the DOS days, so my questions are:

1. How do I format the drive and reinstall Windows?

2. Do I need to run anti-virus before reinstalling Windows?

Viruses!! Must reinstall Windows, what to do?adware

First make sure that there are viruses and not some other problem. If the owner has responded to too many phony or misinformed alerts, he may have deleted parts of the operating system.

Try repairing the operating system before reformatting. You will need a Windows XP boot disk for that rather than the installation disk. If you do not have one, you should be able to make one with any Windows XP-based computer.

Here are the repair instructions: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

Then immediately reboot, connect to the internet and go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and run the free online virus scan and removal.

Next, go to http://www.grisoft.com and install the free personal version of the AVG antivirus program and offer to tie the boss's son's toes to his eyebrows if he does not keep it updated. Updates and upgrades are also free.

Viruses!! Must reinstall Windows, what to do?antivirus scan

try putting disk in. restart watch for boot from disk and then enter
boot in safe mode, do a compete reset with the cd. if the virus is in your registry then you're probably screwed. After reinstalling, and it doesnt work then your boss will have to take it to a repair center or store. or will have to buy a new laptop. Then tell him to pay for bitdefender (top rated antivirus program)