[Jaydev16]

So,my current PC probably has a pirated(not me or anyone I know,the guy who built it for us) WinXP and is also clogged up with viruses.I was planning to wipe the disk and do a fresh install of Ubuntu or Mint.And upgrade to Win8 Pro Student .But all sources of external media is faulty(yes that can happen!) and I can't get some important files out.Any solutions?
Can I somehow delete all the files except the ones I want and still make sure the PC would be free from viruses when I install Win8?

 

[dragosmp]

Sorry, but no. You need to do it right to be sure no virus is still there.

If you're willing to accept some risk you could install an antivirus like avast, and a few others like malwarebytes and spyboot. These would make your PC reasonably clean if they can do the job properly, but then you still need to format in order to install the new OS.

If you want certain small files to have saved you could upload them to an online service like Onedrive or google's Gdrive as they will be scanned and secured when uploaded. After you reinstall the OS you can get them back.

 

[cgipson1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaydev16

So,my current PC probably has a pirated(not me or anyone I know,the guy who built it for us) WinXP and is also clogged up with viruses.I was planning to wipe the disk and do a fresh install of Ubuntu or Mint.And upgrade to Win8 Pro Student .But all sources of external media is faulty(yes that can happen!) and I can't get some important files out.Any solutions?
Can I somehow delete all the files except the ones I want and still make sure the PC would be free from viruses when I install Win8?

Boot into safe mode (F8) if you can... most viruses will not be running in safe mode, and you might be able to rescue your files that way.

Boot into an external disk.... either a windows recovery disk, a dos boot disk, or even a linux boot disk. That should allow you to copy files over to whatever external drives you have. Just ,make sure you keep those files separate from good files / systems until you can clean them, and make sure they are safe.

Boot into in safe mode with networking... install MalwareBytes or similar, update it, and run it in safe mode...it will clear up a lot of the issues... maybe enough to let you at least save the files.

 

[Techie007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaydev16

So,my current PC probably has a pirated(not me or anyone I know,the guy who built it for us) WinXP and is also clogged up with viruses.I was planning to wipe the disk and do a fresh install of Ubuntu or Mint.And upgrade to Win8 Pro Student .But all sources of external media is faulty(yes that can happen!) and I can't get some important files out.Any solutions?
Can I somehow delete all the files except the ones I want and still make sure the PC would be free from viruses when I install Win8?

Download and run MalwareBytes Free Anti-Malware to attempt to reduce the amount of malware on the XP system, and then try again to get your important files onto external media.

I don't understand why you want to do a fresh install of Ubuntu and then upgrade to Windows 8. After you have copied all your personal files to a USB stick (or other external media), just insert the Windows 8 disc and reboot your computer. It should boot directly from the Windows 8 installation DVD. If it doesn't, you'll have to change a BIOS setting. Once it boots into the installation wizard, choose Custom install rather than Upgrade install. It should show you a list of HDD partitions. Delete them all (this will lose everything on all HDDs connected to your computer), and then proceed to install Windows in the unallocated space. Windows will then format and repartition your HDD to its liking. Once Windows 8 is installed, you'll reload your personal files from the USB stick (or whatever external media you used). Software programs will have to be redownloaded and/or reinstalled.

 

[Ultisym]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techie007

It should show you a list of HDD partitions. Delete them all (this will lose everything on all HDDs connected to your computer), and then proceed to install Windows in the unallocated space. Windows will then format and repartition your HDD to its liking. Once Windows 8 is installed, you'll reload your personal files from the USB stick (or whatever external media you used). Software programs will have to be redownloaded and/or reinstalled.

I would suggest he do a secure wipe with some sort of software that he can boot to. I typically use the software from the disk drive MFG. Believe it or not, some data can survive just using the method you describe. I only know that because it happened to me. If it wasnt a virus issue, i would say what you recommended would be adequate. With his issues, he needs to be sure. Just my opinion.

 

[Jaydev16]

I guess I'll have to find some external media that actually works on this.Time to dust off the USB ports!
Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[cgipson1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaydev16

I guess I'll have to find some external media that actually works on this.Time to dust off the USB ports!
Thanks everyone for your help!

Good luck! Ask further questions if needed!

 

[DaChosenOne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgipson1

Boot into safe mode (F8) if you can... most viruses will not be running in safe mode...

I've seen your postings around here and the vast majority of the time it's really spot on. But this one that I just don't agree with, at all. In my experience, I've seen plenty of trojans run regardless of whether the system is running nornally or in safe mode.

 

[Techie007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaChosenOne

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgipson1

Boot into safe mode (F8) if you can... most viruses will not be running in safe mode...

I've seen your postings around here and the vast majority of the time it's really spot on. But this one that I just don't agree with, at all. In my experience, I've seen plenty of trojans run regardless of whether the system is running nornally or in safe mode.

I have successfully taken out several viruses that wouldn't let me do anything on the computer by booting into SafeMode. Please don't discount his suggestion! SafeMode loads up a minimal list of services and drivers, thus deactivating many rootkits; it doesn't run the startup entries, thus deactivating many usermode viruses. It was a good suggestion!

 

[DaChosenOne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techie007

I have successfully taken out several viruses that wouldn't let me do anything on the computer by booting into SafeMode. Please don't discount his suggestion! SafeMode loads up a minimal list of services and drivers, thus deactivating many rootkits; it doesn't run the startup entries, thus deactivating many usermode viruses. It was a good suggestion!

I strongly disagree. I've had quite a bit of experience in cleaning up PCs... the only thing that safe mode accomplishes is loading up minimal set of drivers & a few essential services. Most trojans and rootkits are INDEPENDENT of such things and can run in the background regardless.

And I never once argued you can't remove viruses in safe mode.

 

[cgipson1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaChosenOne

I've seen your postings around here and the vast majority of the time it's really spot on. But this one that I just don't agree with, at all. In my experience, I've seen plenty of trojans run regardless of whether the system is running nornally or in safe mode.

That is why I specified "MOST" and not "ALL" in my post. It is also why I suggested running from an external boot disk rather than using safe mode...

a lot of why I give different options like that is because I am not always sure of the OPs experience level, or what options they may have available, so I try to make sure they have "something" they can do....

 

[coachrex]

As cheap as HDD are these days why not just buy a new one and install it.
Save the files you want to either the cloud or a USB stick and start fresh.

 

[DaChosenOne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachrex

As cheap as HDD are these days why not just buy a new one and install it.
Save the files you want to either the cloud or a USB stick and start fresh.

And what does that accomplish? He says he can't install Win 8 because the external media is faulty.

OP you can order a replacement from Microsoft.

How to order replacement Microsoft Products and discs.

 

[Jaydev16]

HDD aren't cheap or anywhere near that in India.Around $60(conversion rate 1=60) will get you a 500GB one.And just to make overpricing visible,Rs.8000 will get you a kit of RipjawsX 2133.

 

[coachrex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaChosenOne

And what does that accomplish? He says he can't install Win 8 because the external media is faulty.

OP you can order a replacement from Microsoft.

How to order replacement Microsoft Products and discs.

It eliminates the need to reformat or clean wipe the existing drive.
And eliminates the possibility of viruses surviving on the existing drive.

He'll still have to contend with everything else.....
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaydev16

HDD aren't cheap or anywhere near that in India.Around $60(conversion rate 1=60) will get you a 500GB one.And just to make overpricing visible,Rs.8000 will get you a kit of RipjawsX 2133.

 

[coachrex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaydev16

HDD aren't cheap or anywhere near that in India.Around $60(conversion rate 1=60) will get you a 500GB one.And just to make overpricing visible,Rs.8000 will get you a kit of RipjawsX 2133.

nevermind......

(I really should start looking at peoples sig rigs prior to commenting)

 

[Jaydev16]

That means?

 

[DaChosenOne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachrex

It eliminates the need to reformat or clean wipe the existing drive.
And eliminates the possibility of viruses surviving on the existing drive.

He'll still have to contend with everything else.....

Let's aside for the moment that the OP lives outside of this country. You suggested that he buy a new hard drive because it will eliminate the need to clean up his existing hard drive of viruses. Why are you adding on extra cost for the OP? Did he say that the hard drive was bad? All you're doing is creating extra work for him. You expect him to spend money for a new one, remove the old HDD; install it; then install Windows. Are you in the habit of throwing out random advice or did you actually read the entire post? Did you catch the part about him having a pirated version of Windows? Why not simply take the existing HDD and simply reformat it? He's going to have to do a new installation of Windows regardless of whether he takes your advice or keep his existing HDD. /rolls eyes.

 

[cgipson1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaChosenOne

Let's aside for the moment that the OP lives outside of this country. You suggested that he buy a new hard drive because it will eliminate the need to clean up his existing hard drive of viruses. Why are you adding on extra cost for the OP? Did he say that the hard drive was bad? All you're doing is creating extra work for him. You expect him to spend money for a new one, remove the old HDD; install it; then install Windows. Are you in the habit of throwing out random advice or did you actually read the entire post? Did you catch the part about him having a pirated version of Windows? Why not simply take the existing HDD and simply reformat it? He's going to have to do a new installation of Windows regardless of whether he takes your advice or keep his existing HDD. /rolls eyes.

Do YOU have any positive suggestions to help the OP save his data?

Or can you just tear down the idea's the rest of us are offering? Our main goal here is to assist the OP... not to argue or try to prove how wrong or right someone is, correct?

 

[DaChosenOne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgipson1

Do YOU have any positive suggestions to help the OP save his data?

Or can you just tear down the idea's the rest of us are offering? Our main goal here is to assist the OP... not to argue or try to prove how wrong or right someone is, correct?

You could try reading this thread and see my post. As for saving his data, why is that an issue all of a sudden? I've read the OP's original problem correctly. He has a faulty media and needs to re-install Widows. That to me is the source of his problem and therefore I provided him a link for a CD/DVD replacement. If he could not boot from Windows that would be an entirely different situation. In such a situation, my preference would be to boot up with a Linux live CD and recover his personal files; then format the HDD and a fresh installation. Why? Because booting up in a non-windows environment would ensure that any viruses running in the background would be nullified by the mere fact that it can't do any damage in Linux OS environment. It also removes any chance of a rogue process or service that could interfere w/ the file copy process. As for your assessment of tearing down an idea, I am all about efficiency and resolving problems in the most direct manner. Him suggesting to the OP that he buy a new HDD is asinine. There was no mention of the OP saying that the HDD was defective in any shape or form was there? Why is there any such discussion taking place? Buying a new HDD does not solve anything except to add more cost & time to this project. The OP does not want it. Period. End of discussion.

PC linux OS has a live CD version you can download from here. But it certainly is not the only linux distro you can do this with.

Also in your prior post, I actually did give you a compliment which you seem oblivious to. So how is that for "tearing down"?