After visiting the maleware/virus forums, my helper suggested that I would be better off backing up my personal data and format the hard drive. I have tried several times to backup this one folder. However, it kept saying it will take 519 days and 6hrs to copy the files even though the folder is only 300MB. I tried searching this problem on Google, and many of the results returned back stating it is most likely due to the pc being infected.
My thoughts of how I could go around this is by putting my other HDD, which is not infected, into the infected pc, boot into Windows XP with the clean HDD, and have AVG scan the entire infected HDD. So far I have connected both HDDs to a Y splitter IDE and setting the infected HDD as a slave and non-infected HDD as the master. My next step will be to go into the bios to make sure that pc boots from the clean HDD. However, I'm concerned that just by having both HDDs connected to each other, could this still possibly infect the clean HDD? Does anyone have any suggestions?
Hi, sorry to hear of the problems with your computer.
I have glanced at your logs (over in the malware removal forum) and have noted CatByte's recommendations that you format and reinstall your operating system.
1 The problem with the 300MB folder that you want to copy/back up is a tricky one….
2 A possible explanation for the problem is that the folder is infected….
3 I have also noted ( from your posts in malware removal) that the original infection came via your phone and then was transferred to your Sony computer, and that flash drives may have been used on both the infected computer and an otherwise clean computer….and now this otherwise clean computer has started exhibiting problems…..
4 The fact that the infections seem to be spreading. gives me cause for concern when considering the options you mention of installing the infected hard drive into the clean computer (the one that has also started to exhibit problems).
5 We do not provide malware advice in this subforum (for this you will need to consult a highly respected malware removal expert like CatByte) and so I will refrain from commenting further on your proposed plan to attempt "a clean", other than to say that whilst slaving an infected hard drive to a known clean computer is a technique that is sometimes performed in the workshop by skilled technicians it is very VERY easy for cross contamination to occur……. skilled technicians are experienced in the precautions that need to be taken and have the equipment to reduce risk to a minimum and a fall back or recovery position should the worst happen….. For these reasons its is recommended that you do not "couple up" the two hard drives.
6 You should have a note of your product serial keys and a copy of any downloaded executables in your normal backup so after formatting you can use these to reinstall the applications, together with your regular Application CDs for things like Microsoft Office etc. I would be inclined to only use a backup of your 300MB folder that was made at a time when you are pretty sure your machine was clear of infection….if in any doubt use an even earlier back to prevent further spread.
7 I think I saw in your posts in the other forum that you did not make Recovery discs as recommended by Sony..despite the machine being a few years old….these would have made the recovery and format and reinstall easier for you as they normally include all the original drivers and preinstalled applications…. However all is not lost as you can often get them from Sony and also a lot of Sony machines have a hidden recovery partition that will do the job and will only take three quarters of an hour or so to restore it to its "factory" or "out of the box" state. Have a look in the owners manual for your particular machine and this will tell you the key stroke(s) to use. A lot of Sony Vaio's need F10 to be hit immediately after the Sony logo appears and this will take you into the recovery application.NOTE this is normally a destructive process and will clear (remove) all your data, Windows itself, all your drivers emails, etc everything on your machine….hence the importance of keeping good back ups.
8 If you have a disc image (using Acronis, Ghost, Paragon or one of the many free disc imaging applications) made when your machine was running well then this will have you "up and running" again in less time than it takes to walk the dog (you will just have your updates to do)
9 If by any chance you cannot access your backups then although, of course, it's your call, It may be best to bite the bullet and just format and reinstall and lose the 300MB folder.
If you have certain files in that folder that you really can't do without and can't access your back up of them, then you could run a live distro of Linux (linux Puppy is good and a small download, about 100MB) that will run solely in RAM and use this to attempt to copy off undamaged files to a flash drive (not an infected one… (format it first or use a new one)
However be aware that any such files copied off in this way may be potentially compromised and could be infected, and if you use them on your newly formatted machine you may reinfect it.
Post back if you need clarification on any of this.
Regards
paws
3 I have also noted ( from your posts in malware removal) that the original infection came via your phone and then was transferred to your Sony computer…[\quote]
actually it is quite hard to say. The file was an exe intallation file and I I did not open it from the clean pc, but it is a good sugesstion I will keep in mind,
5 We do not provide malware advice in this subforum (for this you will need to consult a highly respected malware removal expert like CatByte) [\quote]
I think that would be a good idea. I would like to see if there are any tools I could use to possibly retrieve the very very important files. As you mentioned that is possible that the folder could be infected, there are some zip files in there, which in the past I heard is a typical file extention to get infected.
If you have a disc image (using Acronis, Ghost, Paragon…[\quote]
What are these programs, and is it safe to use while the HDD is infected, or do you use one of the above after the HDD is clean?
If you have a disc image (using Acronis, Ghost, Paragon…
What are these programs, and is it safe to use while the HDD is infected, or do you use one of the above after the HDD is clean?
The programs mentioned are disc imaging applications, they are used to restore a partition or a complate harddrive or even a new hard drive to the exact state that existed when the disc image was made….. if you reimage a complete hard drive then as part of the process any data files, applications, Including Windows itself, malware (viruses worms or trojans for example) are removed. The partition or hard drive is then reimaged to its exact state when the image was made (That is why it's so important to make sure that your disc image is made when your machine is running fast and sweet and with no errors or malicious or undesirable code on it.
This procedure, ideally, should be a part of everyone's back up strategy…. once a complete full disc image has been taken, verified, and an extra copy or two made and one kept offsite on removable media together with a boortable CD that can access the disc image in the event that Windows will not start you can face the future with a degree of equanimity. This is even more so if incremental disc images are made from time to time to keep things up to date.
Regards
paws
