Scanning external USB HDDs?

I've just completed going through this thread " READ ME FIRST BEFORE ASKING FOR SUPPORT: Basic Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal" step-by-step on my WinXP Pro OS computer--on which I've attached an external USB HDD for extra network storage.

I'm happy to say that absolutely nothing "bad" was found from all these scans.

I did notice that, since I was booted in the "safe mode with networking support" mode, that my external drive could not be scanned. In hopes of saving some time, can someone tell me just which of these scans I should do once I boot into normal mode in order to ensure that my external drive is also free of "bugs"?

As I said before, I only use this external drive for storage, consisting mostly of game patches & other software package updates that I'd rather not have to go & download again if I ever have to re-format in the future. I can also take it to other computers on my home network & install these updates quite easily by just moving it to another computer.

Should I start the full process as outlined in the above thread while in normal mode now to ensure that all is cleaned?

 

Thanks for the reply. I do have an antivirus packages running real-time. I'll accomplish what you've suggested & report back if I have any problems.

Thanks for a great website!

 

I did the scans as you directed. All joy, no baddies found.

Thanks again!

 

Hardly surf at all. Mostly just online gaming, with some surfing to help the kids with homework & checking clan forums every so often thrown in.