Trying to back up, Need to restore administrator privileges

jrasicmark · Oct 7, 2012

I've got several problems with both my desktop PC and my laptop, but I'm trying to follow the instructions in Read & Run Me First Malware Removal Guide and it suggests I back up the computers before I do anything.

I tried running the Windows Backup program I stumbled on, but that didn't do the kind of backup I expected; I think it set Windows to an earlier state (and that didn't seem to solve my problems).

I wanted it to actually back up my files to either a series of DVDs or to an external hard drive. I Googled and downloaded BackupMaker on my parents' PC (one of my problems is that internet is not working for me on either of my PCs), but another of my problems is that I don't have administrator privileges any more (I think the malware keeps taking that away from me, even though I am the only one who uses these PCs), so I can't install any new software.

Is there a quick way to fix this (even temporarily), so I can do the backup just so I can get started on the "Read me first" instructions?

chaslang · Oct 7, 2012

We don't really have the time to explain exactly how to do backups or which programs to use. The main point is to save all important personal data which does not exist elsewhere. Windows can always be reinstalled, but reinstalling Windows would not restore lost personal data.

There are many programs and ways to do this. While DVDs can be used, that method can be quite abit more time consuming. Using a large external USB drive can be the easiest method. You can simply just manually copy all important informaton to the external drive. This may be the easiest thing for you to do right now since you say that malware is blocking your ability to install programs.

Also you can use a program like Cobian Backup which is free. Below is a link to some nice instructions complements of Bleeping Computer.

How to backup and restore your data using Cobian Backup

There are quite a few other tools for performing backups that you can see in the below folder:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads3.html

Some of these are free and some not.

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Trying to back up, Need to restore administrator privileges

jrasicmark Private First Class

chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member