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"Windows-7-Recovery" virus? (pg. 2)
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| pmoisse |
Wow, thanks for the fast responses guys!
I'll try to find a boot disk so that I can at least get on there and grab my pictures onto my USB key.
This virus ninja won't follow my pictures, and infect my other machines, will it?
Could I just try booting in safe mode or does it sound like this thing is too deep? |
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| Joss Weatherby |
| quote: | Originally posted by pmoisse
Wow, thanks for the fast responses guys!
I'll try to find a boot disk so that I can at least get on there and grab my pictures onto my USB key.
This virus ninja won't follow my pictures, and infect my other machines, will it?
Could I just try booting in safe mode or does it sound like this thing is too deep? |
No, unless there is some sort of specific exploit in some image viewing program that uses malformed images to infect, then no (and that is very very very unlikely). |
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| KilldaDJ |
find a livecd like ctkarch (google it) or is linux based so there is minimal chance the virus/rootkit will bind (its probably win32 based so it wont run on a linux setup)
banana. |
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| Domesticated |
| quote: | Originally posted by Redd
I'm just being a dick, but yeah that's what all computer illiterates do. |
Okay. Please explain. Apart from the time involved, what are the downsides of an annual format?
Keep in mind we're not talking about corporate computing here, but a single computer in someone's home.
And I think your idea that formatting is for computer illiterates is ridiculous, if only because a lot of people don't understand what a format is, let alone how to do it. I'd say you have to be at least of intermediate level in order to do it confidently. |
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| Redd |
| quote: | Originally posted by Domesticated
Okay. Please explain. Apart from the time involved, what are the downsides of an annual format?
Keep in mind we're not talking about corporate computing here, but a single computer in someone's home.
And I think your idea that formatting is for computer illiterates is ridiculous, if only because a lot of people don't understand what a format is, let alone how to do it. I'd say you have to be at least of intermediate level in order to do it confidently. |
Yeah I was just "taunting". Formatting once in a while is generally not a bad idea as long as you know what you're doing. It even gives you practice for a time when you're ed and HAVE to format, because you know what precautions to make, or you've already taken them (backup of installfiles etc.).
On the other hand it's not necessary and is just a waste of time if you know how to take care of your computer. But then again not everyone can be arsed and just do it "your way".
Sorry for trolling. |
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| Domesticated |
| quote: | Originally posted by Redd
Yeah I was just "taunting". Formatting once in a while is generally not a bad idea as long as you know what you're doing. It even gives you practice for a time when you're ed and HAVE to format, because you know what precautions to make, or you've already taken them (backup of installfiles etc.).
On the other hand it's not necessary and is just a waste of time if you know how to take care of your computer. But then again not everyone can be arsed and just do it "your way".
Sorry for trolling. |
I disagree. Even before it became common practice, for years now I've been splitting my HD into two partitions, and keeping nothing but Windows on the C:/. I don't ever place anything on the desktop (because that's stored on C:/), and I never install any ty programs. Despite those precautions, computers inevitably slow down over time. Formatting fixes that.
Also, in between my previous post and this one, I just reformatted. I even messed it up by pressing a key at one point, restarted the process, and it was still incredibly quick. Windows 7 rocks. |
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| Redd |
| quote: | Originally posted by Domesticated
Despite those precautions, computers inevitably slow down over time. Formatting fixes that. |
What you're saying here is that the computer magically slows down over time. It doesn't. It slows down because of small changes YOU make to it, which you can reverse if you know how.
Formatting also fixes that. But it's kind of like killing squirrels with cannons. |
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| Redd |
| quote: | Originally posted by Domesticated
Also, in between my previous post and this one, I just reformatted. |
It depends on how you use your computer. If I was to format now I'd have a list of at least 30 programs (not including games) I had to reinstall to accommodate my requirements. Some of the programs are small and takes no configuration at all, others are 3 dvds, which takes for-ing-ever to install. |
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| Domesticated |
| quote: | Originally posted by Redd
What you're saying here is that the computer magically slows down over time. It doesn't. It slows down because of small changes YOU make to it, which you can reverse if you know how.
Formatting also fixes that. But it's kind of like killing squirrels with cannons. |
So what techniques do you use?
| quote: | Originally posted by Redd
It depends on how you use your computer. If I was to format now I'd have a list of at least 30 programs (not including games) I had to reinstall to accommodate my requirements. Some of the programs are small and takes no configuration at all, others are 3 dvds, which takes for-ing-ever to install. |
Yeah, that's fair enough. I essentially only run word processing, Internet and some really small games. |
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| KilldaDJ |
| quote: | Originally posted by Domesticated
computers inevitably slow down over time. Formatting fixes that. |
cleaning your registry also fixes that. |
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| Nrg2Nfinit |
system restore, then virus scan
i use microsoft security essentials. It seems to work well.
Reformat should be the last resort. If you are running your computer properly, defragging every once in a while, there should be no reason to reformat. |
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| pmoisse |
Thanks to all the help in here!
I was able to follow some tips in one of the links posted, got MalwareBytes downloaded (my other spyware thing didn't pick up the baddies) and it found the bug.
It didn't restore my though, but I was able to find everything since the files weren't moved, but simply hidden (thankfully!)
I'm now in the process of moving them to my work laptop, and then I think I will reformat if I can actually find the original o/s cd rom's since it will likely do some good. If I can't find them, I'll just delete as myuch as possible manually and to a defrag / manual cleanse as best I can
Lesson learned - back up my important like pictures more often! |
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