[dba-Tech] Windows ME Malware problem

ME is essentially the next version of 98, and as such, he should be able to
reinstall windows over the top to "fix" the bad things, without affecting
his installed programs and data. There should be a safe mode (if you press
F8 during bootup), just like in 95, 98 and 98se, but if Explorer.exe is
quarantined, this might not work either. Thinking about it, even if you do a
reinstall it might not work, because McAfee could still theoretically block
access to explorer.exe. Might be an idea to buy a new hard drive, "recover"
the OS to that, then see if you can access the other hard disk...


Jon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steven W. Erbach" <serbach at new.rr.com>
To: "Discussion of Hardware and Software issues"
<dba-tech at databaseadvisors.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 4:31 PM
Subject: [dba-Tech] Windows ME Malware problem


Dear Group,

I helped a fellow with a Windows ME system analyze his virus difficulties.
He has hundreds of infected files, including some essential Windows files
(e.g., Explorer.exe). Since he has a dial-up connection we didn't download
an anti-virus program since I was being paid for my time. He purchased
McAfee and went ahead and scanned his system, finding this long list of
problems. He told McAfee to go ahead and fix all the problems. Well, now his
PC won't start because Explorer.exe has been quarantined. At least that's
what he told me. I should have told him not to run McAfee until he had me on
the horn.

I want to try to help this guy get his PC started again. He, of course, has
no Windows ME disk, as such, but he does have a Restoration CD.

Is there a Safe Mode option in ME to allow system files to be restored
without having to re-install Windows? Not that re-installing Windows would
be such a bad thing. But he's concerned about his programs and data.
Re-installing Windows shouldn't hurt his existing programs, but I'd like to
be able to tell him what to do with some confidence that what I tell him
won't screw things up.

Any ideas?

Sincerely,

Steve Erbach
Scientific Marketing
Neenah, WI
920-969-0504


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