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 Post subject: Our computer is dying
PostPosted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:30 pm 
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Location: Georgia
Saturday one of my kids managed to get to a website that severely infected our computer with some sort of malware or virus. It quickly became almost completely unusable. Trying start Firefox results in an error message; when starting IE, it flashs for a split-second like it's going to load, but then nothing happens. Anti-spyware and antivrus programs run *extremely* slow, even in safe mode. It's also impossible to save or move any files. No dragging and dropping, no cutting and pasting, no burning to CD; nothing works, not even in safe mode.

Now, since I only paid about $250 for this thing about three years ago, I wasn't interested in paying hundreds to get it fixed. Best Buy had an "18 months same as cahs" special going on, and I bought a new HP Sunday afternoon; an excellent package deal that included an Epson printer/scanner. It's awesome, and will hopefully last us many years.

However, there are still some files and pics on the old unit that I hadn't yet backed up. It's pretty frustrating to see all of that stuff, yet not be able to copy it to a disc or flash drive, etc. Any tech-savvy people have any suggestions, or should we just start planning the funeral? :)


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 Post subject: Our computer is dying
PostPosted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:38 pm 
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I'd say 1) get your new PC totally up to date on antivirus and spyware protection, then 2)remove the hard drive from the old PC, and hook it up to your new PC as a secondary drive (this is not difficult, I swear! :lol:). Then copy the stuff off you want to keep, and dump the old drive and old PC. It's not likely that your new PC could become infected by this method, but I still suggest updating the AV and spyware stuff anyway just to be safe. It's good to do that anyway.


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 Post subject: Our computer is dying
PostPosted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:48 pm 
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Location: Georgia
That's certainly an approach I haven't thought of!

I have already updated those programs on the new computer, but I'm still a little concerned about hooking up the infected hard drive to the new computer. All of this virus/spyware/malware stuff is making me a little paranoid. :paranoid:


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 Post subject: Our computer is dying
PostPosted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:49 pm 
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Do you happen to have a USB Hard Drive enclosure? If so, you can hook up the old drive this way, and most AV and Spyware programs will request a drive scan when an external drive is attached. That way, the drive is scanned before you can access any data on it.

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 Post subject: Our computer is dying
PostPosted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:25 pm 
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Kevin wrote:

Now, since I only paid about $250 for this thing about three years ago, I wasn't interested in paying hundreds to get it fixed. Best Buy had an "18 months same as cash" special going on, and I bought a new HP Sunday afternoon; an excellent package deal that included an Epson printer/scanner. It's awesome, and will hopefully last us many years.



Hey! That's how I bought THIS computer several months ago!


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 Post subject: Our computer is dying
PostPosted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:43 pm 
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Joined: 08 Aug 2004
Posts: 11850
Location: Georgia
Chris Abel wrote:
Do you happen to have a USB Hard Drive enclosure? If so, you can hook up the old drive this way, and most AV and Spyware programs will request a drive scan when an external drive is attached. That way, the drive is scanned before you can access any data on it.


I don't, but I have a couple of friends who might be able to loan me one.

Thanks for the help, guys!


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 Post subject: Our computer is dying
PostPosted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:40 am 
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Running Norton Anti-Virue

Joined: 23 Dec 2008
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Location: Gerry's desk
And here I was going to offer myself for adoption!

Even the kids getting me infected with malware would be safer than my current gig...


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 Post subject: Our computer is dying
PostPosted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 7:28 am 
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hey old friend !
my pc has been in the repair shop since Friday, the power supply unit went . . . .

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 Post subject: Our computer is dying
PostPosted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:10 am 
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You shouldn't have let Gerry fix it.


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 Post subject: Our computer is dying
PostPosted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:15 am 
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Running Norton Anti-Virue

Joined: 23 Dec 2008
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Location: Gerry's desk
Gerry wrote:
hey old friend !
my pc has been in the repair shop since Friday, the power supply unit went . . . .


See what I mean? It's my chance to make a break for it.

HELP ME


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 Post subject: Our computer is dying
PostPosted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:53 am 
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What did you expect? The Comedian is dead.

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You will believe ... that a computer can cry.

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 Post subject: Our computer is dying
PostPosted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:32 pm 
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thats me fixed and running great.(today)

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