F*cked!

Apr 13, 2007 10:02

My computer is, that is ( Read more... )

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blueadept April 13 2007, 15:24:00 UTC
You can share files and folders if you start in "Safe mode with networking." Just plain old safe mode disables networking, and thus sharing files.

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barelyliving April 13 2007, 20:02:05 UTC
Yeah, I found out that I had to do safe mode with networking (smwn because I'm lazy) to get on the internet.

So, if I share files and folders via SMWN to get all of my stuff off, I can reformat Windows and my problems should be gone?

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blueadept April 13 2007, 20:05:32 UTC
If you don't copy over any infected files, then yes. :) Also make sure you delete the partition and recreate it when you reinstall Windows, just in case there's a boot sector virus. Low-level format would be even better in case of an MBR virus. Your BIOS may be able to do that for you.

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barelyliving April 14 2007, 00:25:52 UTC
Ok, the infected files, from what I can tell, didn't get into anything that I want to save.

Huh, I have no idea what you said in the last few sentences. Is there an online guide I can follow to do all that you said? lol

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barelyliving April 14 2007, 01:31:47 UTC
http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/web/C2A06B8908469E8ECA256F4300031B39

What does that guy mean when he says that low-level formatting isn't necessary? Man, I knew I should've learned computer stuff when I was young and my mind was sponge-like!

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blueadept April 14 2007, 04:39:19 UTC
He means that what's called a "low level format" nowadays is actually a "zero fill," which fills your entire hard drive with zeroes. This is a good thing. It overwrites your MBR (master boot record) with zeroes in case there was a boot sector virus in it. So no, you don't need to low level format OR zero fill if you're just rebuilding your machine, but if you suspect it was compromised by malware, it certainly doesn't hurt.

Also, I don't know of any online guides for this stuff off the top of my head. Google works wonders. :)

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