gaining access to old files on old XP

[John Smith]

I suspect my computer has trojans on it. Besides, I need more
capacity. I thus purchased a HD and plan to install a brand new
copy of XP on it. Before I do that, I want to make sure I, and
family members, still have access to files.

If I install the new drive, disconnect the old drive, install XP,
reconnect the old drive, do I still have access to the old files?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I suspect my computer has trojans on it. Besides, I need more
capacity. I thus purchased a HD and plan to install a brand new
copy of XP on it. Before I do that, I want to make sure I, and
family members, still have access to files.

If I install the new drive, disconnect the old drive, install XP,
reconnect the old drive, do I still have access to the old files?

Yes, but you'll probably have to take ownership. See:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

 

[Jim]

I suspect my computer has trojans on it. Besides, I need more
capacity. I thus purchased a HD and plan to install a brand new
copy of XP on it. Before I do that, I want to make sure I, and
family members, still have access to files.

If I install the new drive, disconnect the old drive, install XP,
reconnect the old drive, do I still have access to the old files?

Yes. You may need to take ownership of the files and folders. Help &
Support tells how to do this.
Jim

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Yes, but you'll probably have to take ownership. See:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

By the way, you said "I suspect my computer has trojans on it."
Depending on exactly what malware is on your drive and where it
resides, you should consider the possibility that connecting the old
infected drive to the computer with the new drive and copy of Windows
will reinfect you.

If I were in your shoes, I would feel much safer if I removed any
malware infections before installing the new drive.

 

[John Smith]

By the way, you said "I suspect my computer has trojans on it."
Depending on exactly what malware is on your drive and where it
resides, you should consider the possibility that connecting the old
infected drive to the computer with the new drive and copy of Windows
will reinfect you.

If I were in your shoes, I would feel much safer if I removed any
malware infections before installing the new drive.

Thanks for the advice. I have checked my computer with Symantec
anti-virus and Avast. Both did not find anything even though as
soon as I turn on the computer, it tries to connect to several
sites as reported by zonealarm. I searched the ips on the
internet, one of them is a well known hacker site. If Symantec and
avast can't find them, I don't know how to remove them.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I suspect my computer has trojans on it. Besides, I need more
capacity. I thus purchased a HD and plan to install a brand new
copy of XP on it. Before I do that, I want to make sure I, and
family members, still have access to files.

If I install the new drive, disconnect the old drive, install XP,
reconnect the old drive, do I still have access to the old files?

The answer is yes, with an exception. Normally, you will likely have to
Take Ownership of files when you get the Access Denied message.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

The exception is that if you are using XP Pro - this does not apply to XP
Home - and invoked encryption, encrypted files and folders will *not* be
accessible unencrypted. These will be available unencrypted only from
within the original account, as long as the credentials are not damaged.
You can, yes, export those credentials and import them to a new account.
Many people skip this step and permanently lose data.

HTH
-pk

 

[Jim]

Thanks for the advice. I have checked my computer with Symantec
anti-virus and Avast. Both did not find anything even though as
soon as I turn on the computer, it tries to connect to several
sites as reported by zonealarm. I searched the ips on the
internet, one of them is a well known hacker site. If Symantec and
avast can't find them, I don't know how to remove them.

This problem may not be caused by a virus (which is all that you have
investigated); instead it might be one of the other types of malware.

You should try spybot and Ad-Aware as well.

You also should try David Lipman's Multi-AV package for sypware.

Jim

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks for the advice. I have checked my computer with Symantec
anti-virus and Avast. Both did not find anything even though as
soon as I turn on the computer, it tries to connect to several
sites as reported by zonealarm. I searched the ips on the
internet, one of them is a well known hacker site. If Symantec and
avast can't find them, I don't know how to remove them.

Both of those are anti-virus programs. You should also check with a
couple of anti-spyware programs, like Spybot Search & Destroy,
Adaware, Windows Defender, etc.

 

[Guest]

I suspect my computer has trojans on it. Besides, I need more
capacity. I thus purchased a HD and plan to install a brand new
copy of XP on it. Before I do that, I want to make sure I, and
family members, still have access to files.

If I install the new drive, disconnect the old drive, install XP,
reconnect the old drive, do I still have access to the old files?

Go through these cleaning steps to see or get a clear opinion on how
clean your machine is:
= Click Start >> Control Panel>>Network and Internet Connections >> Double
click Internet Options.
On the IE properties windows you will see these Tabs:
General | Security | Privacy | Content | Connections | Programs |
Advanced.
Under General Tab clear your History, Internet Files and Cookies.
Then click on Advanced tab and scroll down to under the Browsing Option:
[&] Browsing
[ ] Enable Third-Party browser extensions (Req Rest) uncheck this box.
[ ] Disable script Debugging (internet Explorer) <= check this box
[ ] Disable Script Debugging (Other) <= check this box

Then click on Programs Tab and click Manage Add-Ons and Disable all non
Verified Add-Ons (You should Renable them later one-by-one and see the
culprit and update it or remove it.
How to manage Add-Ons:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883256

2.... And also for malware from here:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-gb/default.htm?s_cid=sah
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-gb/default.htm

Run a scan from here on-line:
http://www.sophos.com
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?productid=symhome&langid=ie&venid=sym
Download Avast Cleaner from here:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html
Lots of tools to download and disinfect your machine:
http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/site/Downloads/browseFreeRemovalTool/
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5
Download the Hijackthis and send the report to one of
many
forums for analysis and troubleshooting:
When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/threat_analytics/hijackthis.php) is
the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware. Post
your log to:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial42.html
HTH.
nass

Adding to the above try to check your DNS, it may be changed by a malicious
malware to some bad DNS addresses.
Click Start >> Control panel >> Internet and Network connections >> Double
click the Network connections, right click your Network (LAN) and select
properties.
On the LAN properties under general Tab highlight the Internet protocol
(TCP/IP) and click on Properties Button.
On the TCP/IP properties make sure the computer get Auto IP assigned and DNS
as well or check with your ISP if you get static IP and DNS addresses.
HTH.
nass