Can I save my software?

I have to reinstall my computer thanks to a crappy "Global Root Infection" and I really need to save my software. I lost the CD's to 4 programs and they don't make them anymore and I cant afford to buy the newer models anytime soon.

I still have all the serials and product keys from backing that information up on a flash drive text document encase I lost the cover/packages.

I need to save:
Camtasia Stuido 4
Microsoft Office 2005 with Frontpage
Microsoft Office 2007
Jasc Panit Shop Pro 9

Please if you can help me with this I would be very grateful.

 

Hi

This information would be useful in addressing your issue:

Are you using another computer to post in the forum, or the infected computer?
What OS is installed on the computer you need to save the programs on?
Are you familiar with simple hardware? As in, could you take the hard drive out of the infected computer and connect it (either as an external or internal drive) to another computer, if necessary?

Personally, if I were you, I'd contact the software vendors of the programs you mentioned, and see if they would be willing to supply you with the installation disks for the versions you purchased. If not, I'd find torrent downloads of the installation files for the programs you mentioned, if possible, and use your valid keys to register the programs once reinstalled.

While it MAY be possible to save the data as installed information on your system, it could prove to be a VERY complicated and difficult endeavor to restore that data as working programs, depending on the answers to those questions I posted above.

EDIT: Have you already been through our Malware forum to clean the infected PC? You may not have to save/recover anything, as we have expert malware fighters that help many people clean PCs of nasty infections every day.

 

Yes I am using another computer to post on this forum.
The OS of the laptop is Windows XP 32bit.
I can take the hard drive out if need be but I have no idea how to connect it to another computer and I only have one other computer that is a Dell Desktop also running on Windows XP 32 bit

I have gone through the malware forum and TimW has recommended that I reformat
(http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?p=1648779).

 

I appreciate you supplying us with that info. In this case, my recommendation to either A) (best) obtain replacement install disks for the programs from the software companies, or B) download torrent files containing the program versions you have keys to, and using your keys to reactivate the software, stand.

Again, to reiterate, the BEST and most legit option is to obtain replacement install media from the software vendors. If this isn't possible, and there are torrent downloads containing the installation files for the programs you paid for, that would be my next stem personally. Obviously, that's only a choice you can make, depending on how you feel about downloading software. I (and likely others) would be happy to check any downloads you are able to find to ensure they are virus free.

Just remember, that obtaining replacement installation CDs/whatever will likely incur a fee for the actual media, and shipping, but shouldn't be even close to the amount you originally paid for the software.

For future reference, due to the massive destructive nature of viruses, and the inability to always avoid them (and just for safety's sake, anyway), it's always good to retain and protect installation media of software you purchase.

It's also a good idea (since computers like to mess up no matter what once in awhile anyway) to do regular image backups of your computer on a separate (external usually, especially if a laptop) drive, using imaging backup software such as Acronis (paid software), Macrium Reflect, or EASUS ToDo (both of the last two are available for download from MG, and are free).

 

OK thanks for that I will deffinently look for the programs on torrents. If I find them should I email you on the forum to check and see if they are virus free?

Also I found a backup of my registry that is about 2 months old. I wish to try and "import" it to see if that fixes my computer, how would I do that? Do I need to delete the old registry and then import it or is there something else I should do?

Thanks so much for your help!!

PS: I have contacted Microsoft in the pass for backups (after the fire) and they said they no longer had the software but if I send them the copy of my valid product key they would knock of $25 on the current version. It was still around $200 I think so it wasn't worth it and I don't think Microsoft has had a Frontpage program since 2005.

 

I doubt the registry backup is a "proper" backup, but if so, restoring the registry isn't that simple. I think you're better off sticking to a reinstall anyway, as it sounds like the registry isn't the only muddled part of your Windows installation at this point.

You can just post in this thread once you've found a torrent download, if you wish for it to be checked for viruses.

Frontpage was discontinued years ago, yes. MSFT replaced it with Expression Studio.

The likelihood of torrents being around for the older programs isn't high, but it's also not out of the question, either. I did a quick search for Camtasia Studio 4, and all the torrents I found within a few minutes are dead (no uploaders on them). If I can get the time (it's late at night here, time to head to bed) I'll try and locate some downloads for the programs you mentioned. Hopefully they're still out there somewhere.

 

Thank you so much! your a life saver.

I found some them as files from servers, I found a very hand website a year ago that I used to download TV shows and stuff. Its good at finding just about anything on the internet file wise except for torrents.

FilesTube.com I think I found 2007 office and camtasia studio on it ill check it out after the reformat sometime tonight. I also found a backup copy of 2005 office with microsof frontpage (heck yea!!) so you don't have to look for that one anymore.


Im currently in the process of backing up all of my files on my laptop to my desktop and im doing it via router (its the only way I know how to) 30gbs worth of stuff but it should be through in about 6 hours then I can do the full reinstall minus wiping my partion