I have a virus -- need access to a folder, says: access denied

[Matt]

My virus detector has been popping telling me there is a
virus inside a subfolder of the folder c:\system volume
information and to run a virus scan. However, when I ran
a scan...even one specific to that folder, it didnt find
it...it can't get access to files inside that folder.

So, I tried to find the file myself and when I try to
enter c:\system volume information it says "C:\System
Volume Information is not accessible. Access is denied."

Is there some setting somewhere that will allow access to
that folder...what do i need to do to access that
folder? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Apparently, that virus file is residing in your System Restore folder.
To remove that virus file, you'll have to turn-off System Restore,
reboot, then turn System Restore back on.

How to turn on and turn off System Restore in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310405&Product=winxp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| My virus detector has been popping telling me there is a
| virus inside a subfolder of the folder c:\system volume
| information and to run a virus scan. However, when I ran
| a scan...even one specific to that folder, it didnt find
| it...it can't get access to files inside that folder.
|
| So, I tried to find the file myself and when I try to
| enter c:\system volume information it says "C:\System
| Volume Information is not accessible. Access is denied."
|
| Is there some setting somewhere that will allow access to
| that folder...what do i need to do to access that
| folder? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[robin]

make sure you are the administrator then try
if this fails go ninto safe mode and try to delete it that way

robin

 

[David Candy]

Create a System Restore point then use Disk Cleanup to delete all but the last.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

My virus detector has been popping telling me there is a
virus inside a subfolder of the folder c:\system volume
information and to run a virus scan. However, when I ran
a scan...even one specific to that folder, it didnt find
it...it can't get access to files inside that folder.

So, I tried to find the file myself and when I try to
enter c:\system volume information it says "C:\System
Volume Information is not accessible. Access is denied."

Is there some setting somewhere that will allow access to
that folder...what do i need to do to access that
folder? Thanks in advance for the help.

The System Volume Information is the hidden, protected operating
system folder in which WinXP's System Restore feature stores
information used to recover from errors. It's really not a good idea
for you, or an antivirus application, to directly access the contents
of that folder, unless you expect to have no future use for the
restore points, in which case it would be simpler just to turn off the
System Restore feature.

To clear viruses or other malware from the "System Volume
Information," simply turn off the System Restore feature (Start > All
Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore, System Restore
Settings), reboot, then re-enable System Restore, and reboot one last
time. This will delete all of your Restore Points, including the
corrupted one(s), and allow you start with a clean slate.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having
both at once. - RAH

 

[perrin]

I have the same problem actually - F-Prot tells me there *might* be a virus
in there. Is it possible for a virus to get into the folder and would
deleting the Restore Points have serious repercussions? TIA.

--
cheers
perrin

: Matt wrote:
: The System Volume Information is the hidden, protected operating
: system folder in which WinXP's System Restore feature stores
: information used to recover from errors. It's really not a good idea
: for you, or an antivirus application, to directly access the contents
: of that folder, unless you expect to have no future use for the
: restore points, in which case it would be simpler just to turn off the
: System Restore feature.
:
: To clear viruses or other malware from the "System Volume
: Information," simply turn off the System Restore feature (Start > All
: Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore, System Restore
: Settings), reboot, then re-enable System Restore, and reboot one last
: time. This will delete all of your Restore Points, including the
: corrupted one(s), and allow you start with a clean slate.
:
: --
:
: Bruce Chambers
:
: Help us help you:
:
:
:
: You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
: having
: both at once. - RAH
:
:
:

 

[Plato]

I have the same problem actually - F-Prot tells me there *might* be a virus
in there. Is it possible for a virus to get into the folder and would
deleting the Restore Points have serious repercussions? TIA.

One should ALWAYS delete restore points before battling viruses/trojans.