Tony M's post

<<< 2) you did not have a firewall and antivirus program installed before you connected to the internet for the first time with the new install.  It is said that an unprotected computer may be infected within less than a minute of connecting to the internet. >>>>>

I am sorry but i think what was found in the formatted HDD was registry entries pertaining to "norton/macaffee/and some other firewall mess"

so it appears that leaving it open (if at all)  for some time could not have been the cause for these remnants.

just to clear my own doubts

have a nice day---Venkat

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