cleaning a computer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steve UK
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Steve UK

i have a friend whose computer is rubber ducked, probably due to him never
having a firewall or virus protection.

i intend to back it up and then reformat the hard drive followed by a
re-installation of windows xp. 2 questions:

1. will this remove any viruses?

2. if i back up the files using windows xp back up in xp pro before the
reformat , can i then re-install/reinstate the files using windows xp home
edition for the new installation. in other words will the back up file from
the pro version open up when restored to a version of windows xp home
edition?
 
Hi

A reformat/reinstall may not remove all viruses. After the reinstall virus
check the system before you load any software. If the system has a
Broadband connection, disable that first.

Backing up data files shouldn't be a problem as they normally would not be
infected. And can then be used after the reinstall.

The only sure fire way to get rid of viruses is to perform a low level
reformat - but you'll have to get info. on how that be done from hard disk's
manufacturer's web site. That can be fraught with all kinds of problems
though.

--


Will Denny
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups
 
Will Denny said:
Backing up data files shouldn't be a problem as they normally would not be
infected. And can then be used after the reinstall.
Click to expand...

NOT NECESSARILY TRUE! There are numerous viruses/trojans that can infect MS
Office files, e-mail attachments, and (now) WMF media files, among others.
Before attempting any re-installation of data files, an active anti-virus app
should be installed on the new HD.

The only sure fire way to get rid of viruses is to perform a low level
reformat - but you'll have to get info. on how that be done from hard disk's
manufacturer's web site. That can be fraught with all kinds of problems
though.
Click to expand...

A low-level format is certainly not within the realm of reality for a user with
the OP's apparent level of knowledge. The best he can do on his own is a HD
"wipe" using an appropriate app on an antivirus-protected machine, followed by a
repartition/reformat.
 
It doesn't help that MS duhfaults to dumping incoming downloads (.EXE
included) in "My Docs", locating IM attachments in there, plus storing
some data elsewhere (Application Data vs. Local Settings\Application
Data, etc.). If you backup your email stores, you'll include any
malware hidden in there as well.

So there's a significant risk of restoring malware with your "data"
backup, even when you consider...
There are numerous viruses/trojans that can infect MS Office files
Click to expand...

....MS's blurring of the data distinction, both by design (MS Office,
WMF) and by code defect (JPG).

Yes, there are patches for most code defects... which you won't have
in place after you "just" wipe and re-install, so... guess the rest.

Of course - it's as destructive as the malware could be (financial
effects aside) and your system is likely to be infected again, given
all patches are lost, av won't be updated, etc.
The best he can do on his own is a HD "wipe" using an appropriate
app on an antivirus-protected machine, followed by a repartition/reformat.
Click to expand...

Bad advice, especially for anyone with pre-SP2 XP.

The skills you need to rebuild and protect a system from scratch are
similar in magnatude to cleaning off malware, in such cases. MS
doesn't see the need to give you the tools either way; installing an
SP does not generate updated installation media, and MS provides no
maintenance OS for XP. It's up to you to find out how to slipstream
SPs and build new OS CDR and harness Bart PE CDR, respectively.

There ARE no easy answers to tough malware!

---------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -
Click to expand...
Don't pay malware vendors - boycott Sony
 
Steve said:
i have a friend whose computer is rubber ducked, probably due to him never
having a firewall or virus protection.

i intend to back it up and then reformat the hard drive followed by a
re-installation of windows xp. 2 questions:

1. will this remove any viruses?

2. if i back up the files using windows xp back up in xp pro before the
reformat , can i then re-install/reinstate the files using windows xp home
edition for the new installation. in other words will the back up file from
the pro version open up when restored to a version of windows xp home
edition?
Click to expand...
An alternative would be to put in a new hard drive in the computer and
install Windows XP and all service packs and patches. Then install
firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware programs and update and patch
them. After this is all done place the old drive in the computer as a
slave drive. You should be able to move most of the necessary programs
and data from that drive to the new one.
 
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