Backing Up Windows XP system

Hello Majorgeeks,

I'm following your instructions.

I want to know about backing up files for a computer that could have a potential virus or malware.

I want to use disk cloning software to back up important files.

However, I'm not sure if the virus or malware will be a problem to disk cloning.

I'm not really sure that there is a virus since I've scanned the computer twice. Once with McAfee and then I tried Webroot's Secureanywhere Complete trial software.

Nothing was found.

When my external devices such as my Brother printer, Bluetooth keyboard,
wireless mouse stopped working all of a sudden, I contacted the
support team for the Brother printer.

A helpdesk tech from Dell (they bought Brother) remoted into the computer and said it may be infected after looking at a system log that showed that
the external devices had been disabled. Unfortunately, his troubleshooting
was cut short.

Leaving me to resolve matters on my own.

I've looked at the Event Viewer but saw nothing.
But in any case, I want to start as you instructed in Read & Run Me First.
So I'm backing up files.

What is the safest way to back up files for a potentially infected computer?

Anienham

 

>> Hello Majorgeeks, I want to know about backing up files for a computer that could have a potential virus or malware. anienham <<

Hello there, anienham and welcome to the MajorGeeks forum.

If you suspect malware: You might try first downloading and installing a software program like Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and/or SpywareBlaster from right here at MajorGeeks in order to detect any potential nasties. This website's co-owner; Major Attitude also provides a very easy-to-follow MajorGeeks Video Tutorial for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware as well; which can be found here

As for detecting any possible virus infection McAfee is actually pretty reliable; however you might also want to check out an online virus detect and removal site such as Bitdefender's Free Online Virus Scan

Important Side Note: You most definitely should not "back up files for a potentially infected computer" (especially via disk cloning) in any case; as this will only accomplish harboring the infection in two places.

Good Luck -- COMP​

 

Thanks for the response, everyone.
To answer your questions plodr.

>>Do you see any red X's or Yellow ?'s ?

No, that's the thing when I went to Device Manager. I did not see any red or yellow exclamation marks or question marks. :confused
I was able to re-attach a serial mouse and keyboard and they worked fine.
However, neither the Bluetooth keyboard, nor wireless mouse and Brother USB printer has worked again.
Within Device Manager, I checked the USB controllers and no red or yellow exclamation marks or question marks showing. :confused
Everything else works fine. No browser hijacks. I ran Hijackthis and couldn't see anything out of the ordinary in the log.
If there is a virus or malware, it's the stealth or dormant kind.



Anienham