Removing a virus from system files

R

RMFreak

Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2014
Messages
23
Reaction score
0
If you install an anti-virus program after your computer has already been infected, it is sometimes not possible for the anti-virus to clean system files (ie Files that the OS requires to function, eg Explorer.exe).

One way to clean it (instead of formatting your computer), is to remove your hard-drive, put it into another computer with an anti-virus program as a slave, and then clean the files.
It could also be achieved by installing multiple OSs on your computer.

Chances are that Windows may no longer boot, in which case you boot with the Windows CD and run the repair option. Other software may also be affected, which would also need to be re-installed.
 
RMFreak said:
One way to clean it (instead of formatting your computer), is to remove your hard-drive, put it into another computer with an anti-virus program as a slave, and then clean the files.
Click to expand...

Jesus... please don't do this. Remember Conficker?
 
In my experience a virus can normally be traced to a single stray malevolent process that's buried itself in your system somewhere (often in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData) . The AV might not be able to get there but it's usually not too hard to locate it.
 
Offlline virus scanner running from a bootable CD. We used to have a disk called the Magic Bullet years ago.
 
Offline cleanup with a cleanup disk,then use SFC.exe /scannow from windows to scan and replace windows system files with unaltered versions
 
cerebus said:
In my experience a virus can normally be traced to a single stray malevolent process that's buried itself in your system somewhere (often in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData) . The AV might not be able to get there but it's usually not too hard to locate it.
Click to expand...

Slootvreter said:
Offlline virus scanner running from a bootable CD. We used to have a disk called the Magic Bullet years ago.
Click to expand...

PsyWulf said:
Offline cleanup with a cleanup disk,then use SFC.exe /scannow from windows to scan and replace windows system files with unaltered versions
Click to expand...

These three!

It's been freaking years since I've had a virus like that. The last time something infected the hibernation files. Took me ages to work out that I just needed to disable hibernation and then rescan.
 
The coders of these viruses seem to have some skill, being able to actually infect system files while Windows is running.
 
"One way to clean it".
Bootable anti-virus is obviously a better option.
My option is simply something you can do with limited resources over all Microsoft OSs.
 
RMFreak said:
"One way to clean it".
Bootable anti-virus is obviously a better option.
My option is simply something you can do with limited resources over all Microsoft OSs.
Click to expand...

Spare PC is a harder resource than having an optical drive ;)
 
Dont be obstinate for the sake of it. There is a higher likelihood of having a cdrom than 2 pca. Regardless of how much more pervasive multiple computers may be (not that much based on the number of clients I deal with daily)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X