John W. Colby
jwcolby at colbyconsulting.com
Tue Jul 27 13:21:37 CDT 2004
Or inform the user that Windows ME sucks big time anyway and recommend a purchase of XP Home, then install that. If the virus has done that much damage, I personally wouldn't trust that every remotely executable file isn't infected. A new hard disk, clean install of whatever OS you decide, INSTALL A VIRUS SCANNER WITH UPDATED DEFINITIONS!!!! then place the infected disk in as drive D, virus scan it from uninfected Drive C, then take it from there. John W. Colby www.ColbyConsulting.com -----Original Message----- From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Perry Harold Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 12:22 PM To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues' Subject: RE: [dba-Tech] Windows ME Malware problem With a full install CD you get the option to just install windows without changing any current settings. With a restore CD you probably won't know if you have that option until you load the CD and see what the options are. If it's hosed enough not allow Explorer to run, the only option may be a reformat and restore with everything wiped out. Options may be: 1 -Reinstall Windows and keep all settings. No reformat involved. Application software and data that the viruses had not infected will probably all be available. 2 -Reinstall Windows as though a new installation but without reformatting. After the reinstall any application software can be reinstalled and if no data sectors were overwritten or affected by the viruses all data should be available when the data paths are restored. 3 -Reformat and Reinstall. Of course all application software and data is lost (including any that may have been preloaded by the manufacturer.) Essentially it's like starting with a new, out of the box machine. The restore option(s) will likely be whatever the manufacturer decided to allow. Perry Harold -----Original Message----- From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Steven W. Erbach Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 11:31 AM To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues 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 _______________________________________________ dba-Tech mailing list dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com _______________________________________________ dba-Tech mailing list dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com