The only way ... flatten and rebuild

[Jan Il]

You can find the last freeware version at...

http://www.pricelessware.org/2004/PL2004SYSTEMUTILITIES.htm

Also be sure to look up your Product Key and write it on the CD with
an appropriate CD marker.

I have dl'd the free one. But, I don't have a product key for the Windows
as it was preloaded when I bought the PC. But, thank you for the reminder.
Others who may read this might need the reminder.

Thank you for the additional information, I truly do appreciate it.

Jan

 

[Jan Il]

big snip....

from a practical perspective...I do call-outs for about 12-15 'compromised'
machines every week, in most cases machines that are compromised in any way
tend to be owned by people who are not technically fully aware of system
security and it is rare to find other than multiple problems.

In many cases the machines are very slow at running through the initial,
cleaning, processes and by the time I have removed all the virii,
malware/spyware etc. I often find that what I have left is a crokked system
anyway. It's easy to spend 3 hours removing bugs and in that time I can have
a users files, address book, mail folders, favourites etc. all backed up via
putting their HDD into a system I carry about with me for that purpose.

Generally the time taken to get a system completely set up again after a
wipe is only a little longer than most debugs but at least I can secure and
patch it safely from the outset.

Generally I feel safer, and less likely to get a quirky 'call-back' if I've
flattened and set it up properly.

I can surely see your point in regards to having to redo everything. I've
been looking at imaging tools to do a backup of my system. However, if
there is anything on it at the time, it's just going to reinstall it when
the backup is reinstalled too. So, I'm glad that I can backup my drivers
and can use my CABS backup to reinstall my WinME if necessary. I have the
original CD's for all my programs. I also have the MS Security CD that I can
get most of the Windows Updates, and the others I can get from the Websites.
I've heard that the PowerQuest Image Magic is good for imaging. I don't know
about the others.

Thank you very much for the additional information. I really do appreciate
it.

Jan

 

[FromTheRafters]

Still 'speaking' to me, eh? <G>

Why wouldn't I? Your having a misconception about the primary
function of anti-virus software is no reason for anyone to shun you.

Besides, I even complimented you before on your able retort. :O)

There are no hard feelings - you have a right to be wrong. <BEG>

 

[Jan Il]

Why wouldn't I? Your having a misconception about the primary
function of anti-virus software is no reason for anyone to shun you.

Besides, I even complimented you before on your able retort. :O)

Ohh....a compliment.....I see. ;-))

There are no hard feelings - you have a right to be wrong. <BEG>

Absolutely, my thoughts as well, no hard feelings at all on this end. I
realize that people can't always be right, if so, there would be no
beneficial discussions. Thus, is it reasonable to understand that some of
you have to be wrong. <EBEG>

Jan

 

[Tech Zero]

The voice of "Frank le Spikkin" drifted in on the cyber-winds,
from the sea of virtual chaos...

"The only way to clean a compromised system is to flatten and
rebuild"

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/columns/secmgmt/sm0504.mspx

Doesn't agree with my personal experience. What do others think of
the views expressed in this article?

I completely agree...
But even if I could trust my own skills to repair an infected system,
or any of the readily available tools, I still wouldn't be 100% sure
that system is completely clean.

Would I still run a previously infected PC? Sure, why not...
I can always monitor what passes through the firewall, and re-scan
the system if anything triggers an alarm.

 

[Larry Sabo]

I have dl'd the free one. But, I don't have a product key for the Windows
as it was preloaded when I bought the PC. But, thank you for the reminder.
Others who may read this might need the reminder.

Thank you for the additional information, I truly do appreciate it.

Jan

My apologies to others for prolonging this off-topic sub-thread, but
there are many with the same problem (no OS/restore CD) and they may
regret not taking a few minutes to create one from their cab files.

Without the Product Key, the copy of the cab files is useless for a
fresh install (and sometimes even a repair install). Download and run
AIDA32 to locate your product key (under the Operating System tab).
AIDA32 is freeware, available from...

http://www.pricelessware.org/2004/PL2004ORGANIZERS.htm#A127

Cheers,
Larry

 

[Jan Il]

My apologies to others for prolonging this off-topic sub-thread, but
there are many with the same problem (no OS/restore CD) and they may
regret not taking a few minutes to create one from their cab files.

Without the Product Key, the copy of the cab files is useless for a
fresh install (and sometimes even a repair install). Download and run
AIDA32 to locate your product key (under the Operating System tab).
AIDA32 is freeware, available from...

http://www.pricelessware.org/2004/PL2004ORGANIZERS.htm#A127

Thanks Larry. I have found that I don't need a product key to reinstall
with my CABS since my OS is a factory install. There is a file I an double
click that activates the setup, and it goes from there. I have done a
reinstall of the WinME from the CABS on my hard drive, but, was not sure if
this would work from a CD. The MVP's on the WinME ng have assured me it
will. So, guess I am safe there. Whew! But, I am now in the process of
doing an imaging my HD to have a backup that way too. So, perhaps others
who also have OEM OS's will be able to backup their CABS and have a way to
reinstall their OS's too if necessary.

Jan