System File Check on e:

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Guest

Hello All

I am running a 2 disk SATA striped raid (NTFS) with windows XP pro as my
boot drive (C:) This drive is fine...

A friend has an ATA drive (NTFS) with Windows XP Pro on it also which will
not boot (blue screen after safe mode options)

In the interst of ensuring her data is safe I have installed her drive in my
PC (E:) After getting the windows your E: may have error on it followed by
the automatic scans I managed to copy her files/emails etc. to my C:.

I have run anti virus and adware scans and removed several viruses and
adwares for her drive E:

My question is: Is it possible to run a utility to check the system files on
E: even though I have booted from C:?

Many thanks
Gary
 
My reply is at the bottom of your message :


Gary said:
Hello All

I am running a 2 disk SATA striped raid (NTFS) with windows XP pro as my
boot drive (C:) This drive is fine...

A friend has an ATA drive (NTFS) with Windows XP Pro on it also which will
not boot (blue screen after safe mode options)

In the interst of ensuring her data is safe I have installed her drive in my
PC (E:) After getting the windows your E: may have error on it followed by
the automatic scans I managed to copy her files/emails etc. to my C:.

I have run anti virus and adware scans and removed several viruses and
adwares for her drive E:

My question is: Is it possible to run a utility to check the system files on
E: even though I have booted from C:?

Many thanks
Gary
Click to expand...

Hello Gary ! You have installed her hard drive and cleaned from malware -ok
.. In my opinion , the best would be to copy the most important data to your
hard drive and then she take back the hard drive and reinstall Windows (full
reinstall and with full format) .The most important data means documents ,
pictures , music or any other important data .Then make sure they are malware
free and save them on a CD/DVD for example . Give the disks to her and let
her reinstall Windows and start a new Windows.This is the easiest and the
fastest , I think .

I don't know if it is possible to run sfc.exe from your PC , but if you have
make sure her PC is absolutely malware free , she can plug in the hard drive
into her configuration and then use the Windows CD to do a repiar install
..This happens when you boot from the WIndows CD and follow the instruction to
do a repair.
Although this should recover her Windows , you cannot be absolutely sure if
the computer is malware free so the best IMO would be to do a full reinstall
of Windows.
(Windows CD is the CD that she received when she bought her Windows )


Make sure she learns how to protect her computer :
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

Do not hesitate to contact the Community again !

Panda_man
 
Hi Panda_man

Thanks for the reply...

I have already tried using the Windows CD to repair the system but
unfortunately the CD is a 'recovery' CD from PC World and the only option is
to reformat the drive and start a fresh - not very helpful!

She has an awful lot of software and data on her drive so to make it as easy
as possible for her I was hoping to be able to get the drive up and running
again with minimal re-installations of software. Hence my question about
checking system files went not running from her drive.

If this can't be done, then I will take the fresh format/install route.

Again thanks for you help
Gary
 
PS...

I did toy with the idea of removing my raid/system disks and using hers to
attempt boot my PC so that I can use windows update and tool to varify her
system files etc. (thats if the drive will boot)

But.... I beleive I am right in saying that if the drive did manage to boot
my PC, windows would want to install a whole new set of drivers etc for my
machine, and thats only if the Mobo drivers work in the first place?

Also, I don't know very much about Raid setups and if I was to unplug them
will the raid still work when plugged back in...!?

Gary
 
My reply is mixed with your words:


Gary said:
Hi Panda_man

Thanks for the reply...
Click to expand...

Panda_man : You are welcome ! :)

I have already tried using the Windows CD to repair the system but
unfortunately the CD is a 'recovery' CD from PC World and the only option is
to reformat the drive and start a fresh - not very helpful!
Click to expand...

Panda_man : What ???!!!???!!! What is this Windows Recovery CD from PC
World??? Is this Windows legal . Generally there are three types of Windows
CD -
Windows CD from retail version
Windows CD from OEM version
Windows CD Recovery CD

The retail version CD is when you buy only Windows pack
The OEM CD is when you buy something and it comes with Windows (however
people generally buy Windows with something else because it is cheaper)
The recovery CD is special CD with Windows and they generally comes when you
buy a new computer (example new laptop) and it comes with Windows installed
and not a general Windows CD but with a Recovery CD that have Windows buy can
be used only on that exact machine with which it comes with.

What is thins PC World recovery CD , I really haven't heard of it...and is
strange for me.

She has an awful lot of software and data on her drive so to make it as easy
as possible for her I was hoping to be able to get the drive up and running
again with minimal re-installations of software. Hence my question about
checking system files went not running from her drive.

If this can't be done, then I will take the fresh format/install route.
Click to expand...


Gary , as I can said , you can plug her hard drive into her configuration
(as normal) and then use the specific Windows CD to do a repiar install .
However , this doesn't guarantees you that the system is malware free.Yes ,
you have scanned but there are too many malwares and things like that and the
general AV cannot detect so the best would be to reinstall WIndows again.

If the (suspicious for me) Recovery cd doesn't work , make her buy a normal
WIndows . I use Windows XP Home edition which is OEM version and came with
Logitech mouse device and all over the world , the OEM version with a mouse
device costs about $ 95.00

All the hardware she now have comes with CDs and these CDs contain the
drivers so the hardware will work correctly.She really should have these CDs.

You say she has a lot of info but she will recover it.

As I said , your friend has already mess up the things too much and Windows
couldn't start on her PC so I think this whole strory should be a realy moral
lesson and if you decide to format and reinstall Windows , learn her how to
protect your computer which is really important .Moreover ,it is essential so
we can work , we can have fun , we can do our stuff.

Microsoft ( R )
suggests 3 + 1 general steps how to protect
your PC and the infomation stored on it,
your privacy and your family

1.Use an internet firewall
2.Enable Automatic Updates for your PC
3.Use an up-to-date antivirus software
4.Use an up-to-date antispyware software

Goto http://www.microsoft.com/protect and learn more
Check the Security Essentials for your OS and also have a look at all
sections!
In addition to these , learn her to do back ups really often . :)


Do not hesitate to contact the Community again !!!
:)

Panda_man
 
Panda_man : What ???!!!???!!! What is this Windows Recovery CD from PC
World??? Is this Windows legal . Generally there are three types of Windows
CD -
Windows CD from retail version
Windows CD from OEM version
Windows CD Recovery CD

The retail version CD is when you buy only Windows pack
The OEM CD is when you buy something and it comes with Windows (however
people generally buy Windows with something else because it is cheaper)
The recovery CD is special CD with Windows and they generally comes when you
buy a new computer (example new laptop) and it comes with Windows installed
and not a general Windows CD but with a Recovery CD that have Windows buy can
be used only on that exact machine with which it comes with.

What is thins PC World recovery CD , I really haven't heard of it...and is
strange for me.
Click to expand...

To be completely fair to PC World, I don't know if it was the only disk
supplied - My friend is not very good with these things!!! (say no more) But
either way, where ever it came from its a terrible "recovery" disk if all it
wants to do is reformat! I will ask again about her disks.

Gary , as I can said , you can plug her hard drive into her configuration
(as normal) and then use the specific Windows CD to do a repiar install .
However , this doesn't guarantees you that the system is malware free.Yes ,
you have scanned but there are too many malwares and things like that and the
general AV cannot detect so the best would be to reinstall WIndows again.

If the (suspicious for me) Recovery cd doesn't work , make her buy a normal
WIndows . I use Windows XP Home edition which is OEM version and came with
Logitech mouse device and all over the world , the OEM version with a mouse
device costs about $ 95.00

All the hardware she now have comes with CDs and these CDs contain the
drivers so the hardware will work correctly.She really should have these CDs.

You say she has a lot of info but she will recover it.

As I said , your friend has already mess up the things too much and Windows
couldn't start on her PC so I think this whole strory should be a realy moral
lesson and if you decide to format and reinstall Windows , learn her how to
protect your computer which is really important .Moreover ,it is essential so
we can work , we can have fun , we can do our stuff.

Microsoft ( R )
suggests 3 + 1 general steps how to protect
your PC and the infomation stored on it,
your privacy and your family

1.Use an internet firewall
2.Enable Automatic Updates for your PC
3.Use an up-to-date antivirus software
4.Use an up-to-date antispyware software

Goto http://www.microsoft.com/protect and learn more
Check the Security Essentials for your OS and also have a look at all
sections!
In addition to these , learn her to do back ups really often . :)
Click to expand...

She had already paniced and suffered over this and she will be (with my
help) sorting a backup solution. I am very keen with AV, Firewalls and
Spyware softwaresbut the time i've finished she will be as about secure as
she can be (for not very much money) and a lot wiser!
Do not hesitate to contact the Community again !!!
:)

Panda_man
Click to expand...

Thank you for you help
Gary
 
Ok Gary , it is up to you and your friend what you would do . Make it as it
best fit to you both . And if my moto is "Prevention is always better than
cure ! " , MVP Malke's moto is "Don't panic" ! It is also important not to
panic as well as to protect well.
Relax.

Also , here are some simple steps written by me how to repinstall Windows
and some things later :
<The electricity is the onliest threat that might harm a
Windows installation >


Immediately insert the CD and next time you will manually or automatically
boot from the CD and carefully perform the instructions to install
Windows.When you get to the state where it check if you have previously
installed Operating Systems it will see that you have Windows XP.Now follow
the instructions to delete the partition and then Windows will ask you to
format (FULL FORMAT , NOT QUICK !!!)
You agree to format and the process is starting.The format will take
you at about 15 minutes and all of your files are gone.Then the install
process will continue just follow the instructions and enter your Windows
code from the COA (sticker which you received with your Windows/Recovery CD).
This is important as it is the licence for your Windows.


When the install process of Windows XP is ready , install the drivers for
your PC.
Install legal drivers . All hardware comes with drivers on CD.

Now , make sure you have firewall ON. Windows XP Sp1 and Sp2 have firewalls
and it depends on when you bought your Windows.To make sure which version you
have , goto Start - Run and now type:
winver

You will see which is your Service Pack .

If it is Sp1 ,enable ICF (internet connection firewall) for all connections :
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/icf.mspx

If it is Sp2 ,Windows Firewall is already enabled .


Now goto your Network connections in Control Panel
and rigth click on each of them->Properties and make sure "File and Printer
Sharing" is UNCHECKED.
Right click on My Computer ->Properties->"Remote" tab and UNCHECK Remote
Assistante and Remote Desktop(Desktop only in XP Pro) .Apply and OK

*Temporary* turn off Automatic Updates in Control Panel->Automatic Updates.

You are really to connect to internet !!! :) :) :)

Now make sure the computer have antivirus software ON.
The best antivirus softwares are Panda , Kaspersky ,Nod32 !!!
http://www.pandasoftware.com
http://www.kaspersky.com
http://www.eset.com

If you want maximum protection on low resourses with daily updates and
advanced heuristic , use Nod32.
You can download free 30 day trial version from here:
http://www.eset.com

ESET provide support even for its trial products.

Now , update Nod32 . Do not go anywhere , do not download emails . Visit
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
and update the computer with ALL critical and important patches and some of
the optional patches.
Turn ON Automatic updates permanently .

More info here:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:-) Have a nice day
Panda_man
 
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