22 replies to this topic

[Photophreak]

A friends HD is infected with malware, etc. The comp itself is a doorstop. Completely fried as it had never been cleaned.
Not worth putting $$ into as it is about 8 years old.
Is there a way to safely connect the hd to my desktop w/o infecting it? She would like for me to retrieve
photos, docs. Thanks much

[rokytnji]

You could download and run a linux live cd on her computer and pull files with it To a external drive . Problem is. Those pictures,docs and movies could be the cause of infection and just contaminate the next computer they are on. So before pulling them off. Scan each doc/picture with a AV using a Linux Live cd. Before saving them.


http://www.howtogeek...ubuntu-live-cd/

http://www.howtogeek...ndows-computer/

[Broni]

Use USB hard drive enclosure.

Make sure, you install this on YOUR computer, first...

Download, and run Flash Disinfector, and save it to your desktop (Windows Vista and Windows 7 users, scroll down)

*Please disable any AV / ScriptBlockers as they might detect Flash Disinfector to be malicious and block it. Hence, the failure in executing. You can enable them back after the cleaning process*

• Double-click Flash_Disinfector.exe to run it and follow any prompts that may appear.
  
• The utility may ask you to insert your flash drive and/or other removable drives. Please do so and allow the utility to clean up those drives as well.
  
• Hold down the Shift key when inserting the drive until Windows detects it to keep autorun.inf from executing if it is present.
  
• Wait until it has finished scanning and then exit the program.
  
• Reboot your computer when done.

Note: As part of its routine, Flash_Disinfector will create a hidden folder named autorun.inf in each partition and every USB drive that was plugged in when you ran it. Do not delete this folder...it will help protect your drives from future infection by keeping the autorun file from being installed on the root drive and running other malicious files.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users
Flash Disinfector is not compatible with the above Windows version.
Please, use Panda USB Vaccine

[Photophreak]

Thanks much for your replies!

[Broni]

You're very welcome

[rokytnji]

You're Welcome. Let us know how it goes.

[Photophreak]

I did manage to get the comp up, took a chance and reseated everything, boots well.
But, I guess I was taking too long so she wanted it back. But this could prove to be a cluster****. She is convinced her Nephew is a computer guru and can fix the infection. I asked her what he was going to do. She replied that he is going to install Win 7 from her Acer(oem) onto an 8yr old HP thinking that will cure the infection. I just want to laugh...will continue the story as it develops if anyone is interested.

[Broni]

Some people, huh?...LOL

[Photophreak]

No doubt. I did tell her that even if it works(yeah right) she is going to have to buy another key...

[Broni]

Not to mention, that Acer OEM disk, most likely, won't work on HP.

[Photophreak]

For my own curiosity, why? Drivers? The fact that a 64bit OS is going to be installed on an
older computer?

[Broni]

Well, Acer OEM key won't work on a different system, not to mention, it'd be illegal.

[Photophreak]

Thanks, never thought of that...Above my pay grade :)

[Berton]

To add, all the 'branded' OEM discs I've seen have been coded to work only on that brands computers and sometimes only on certain models.

[rokytnji]

Time to back out from that nightmare. You're trying to help and you are taking too long? Windows 7 Acer disk on HP?



Glad I run Linux. Thanks for making me smile.

[Photophreak]

Berton, on 07 May 2011 - 01:38 AM, said:

To add, all the 'branded' OEM discs I've seen have been coded to work only on that brands computers and sometimes only on certain models.

That is what I figured but wasn't sure

rokytnji, on 07 May 2011 - 01:45 AM, said:

Time to back out from that nightmare. You're trying to help and you are taking too long? Windows 7 Acer disk on HP?



Glad I run Linux. Thanks for making me smile.

Hey, no prob.
I have backed out I did tell her that even if it is a retail copy it probably wont run on that old anchor. I guess I will sit back and watch
the fun. This could prove to be a "What NOT to do" thread

[Broni]

Keep us posted on the outcome, so we can have some good laugh :)

[Photophreak]

Teeny update...She is getting annoyed with her Nephew, now he is taking too long and I think she is worried about him messing it up more. She asked if I might take it again.

[frazzm737]

Sounds like you would be a much better choice than her nephew.

[Photophreak]

I appreciate your compliment. I won't be going into this blindly, I will ask you folks for help, that is for sure!