I am about to reformat my C drive because I think I may have a virus. ?

Question

If I simply make a copy of my c drive of the C drive on to my new external drive, am I safe? Is my reformatted C drive safe at that point? If not, what about just copying my documents and pictures?

Answer 1

You should clean up the hard drive before backing it up.

Restart your PC in safe mode with networking

http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.s...

Download, install and run a full scan with Malwarebytes

http://www.malwarebytes.org

Run a full scan with Micro Trend House Call

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

After the scans, restart the PC and update your anti-virus, remember to only have one anti-virus installed on your PC

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-...  [Free, if you do not have one]

Answer 2

Using onecare is a good option, saving all your important data is a good idea too, but if you have downloaded software with executable file extentions such as .vb, .exe, .zip, .rar etc and they are illegal copies, or free software from an unfamiliar site, don't save them, they could contain malicious code. And your unsure if you still have a virus, do an open port-scan online. Or even consider trendmicro.com they have a free online virus scanner called house call.

If you are still nervous and want to format:

Save files you really need, such as pics, work important docs etc and save them to a CD/DVD and close your burn session so nothing else can be added to the disk later. format your machine and before adding all your backup files to your comp, get them all scanned online or with A/V you have purchased.

Answer 3

you dont need to reformat go to http://www.onecare.com and do the virus thing. reformat is last resort

Answer 4

Good Day....You cannot just copy your C Drive to your external drive...you juct make a copy of your documents and picture and before restoring it to your computer ...be sure you scan it for virus....make a fresh installation of your windows by installing it from cd and formating your hard disk with it.....

Answer 5

copy content from c drive to another drive means you may be copying the virus to another drive.

http://forums.clamwin.com/viewtopic.php?...

You must scan your c drive and clean it before you copy.

Your only option is to install CLAMWIN.

ClamWin is a Free Antivirus for Microsoft Windows

that uses the GNU General Public License by the Free Software

Foundation and is free (as in freedom) software.

There is a portable version of ClamWin where it can be install into an USB pendrive as small as 64 MB.

First use another PC to download Clamwin portable anti-virus

and install Clamwin portable on a USB thumb drive.

http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/c...

Update the latest anti-virus definition files.

Set the preferences to delete or move virus to a quarantine folder.

How to configure ClamWin

http://support.real-time.com/open-source...

When the USB pendrive is ready.

Boot up the infected PC in safe mode.

If possible, disable system restore on the infected PC.

Run the Clamwin Anti-virus that is installed on the USB drive to scan the infected PC.

Scan all hard drives for viruses.

Answer 6

Before you reformat, run this program and you will find that if you do have a virus the problem will be resolved.

Download the free version of Superantispyware.  I use this program and will resolve your problem as this software finds nasty viruses and spyware and best of all does not conflict with your own antivirus.  http://www.superantispyware.com  Update and run and in depth scan.  Free you must update daily on a manual basis or purchase and get auto. updates.

Mind Doctor, France

Answer 7

Formatting is the last resort. If you have to do not make a copy of your c: drive. You will only be transferring the virus back onto the drive if you move everything back over. You should be able to safely transfer music, pictures and your own videos. I would not transfer programs.