Solved Is it possable to have a virus from one HDD to another.

[dukethedj]

So I've been running out of space in my 500 gig WD Caviar Blue and I saw that I had another HDD lying around but I forgot if that HDD (WD Caviar SE16) had a virus or I just forgot to install it in my PC. I would NOT install it yet because I'm afraid it would put a virus on my current HDD. Is it possible to clean the drive of all of its contents w/o getting a virus on the main drive?

 

[DustSailor]

Some malware can be very tricky. Think government. However, if you were to format your HDD, it is very very unlikely that any virus can escape. I would recommend after all is said and done, that you run a full antivirus scan just to make sure you are good to go. I would do it, personally, unless said virus was such that it took over my computer and gave me no control. If it is just a 'little guy', go for it.

 

[dukethedj]

You know, after I think about it, I do remember that having a major virus that took over my Vista Home Premium. That is why I had to get a new PC, The one I'm using now. Would going into safe mode help?

 

[whs]

When you open a file that contains a virus, you catch it. The thing to do is to give the HDD a thorough malware scan before you open any files from it.

Or, if the data on that HDD is not relevant any more, do a Clean All from Command Prompt. That will take a little while but it overwrites everything with zeros.

 

[DustSailor]

It is a small risk.

Make sure your computer is completely updated, programs are updated, and antivirus is updated.

If you have an old computer laying around to use to reformat it, then go for it. If not, you could attempt to disable autoplay for all drives: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/216706-autoplay-enable-disable.html (and then later re-enable it after all is done)

Then plug in the HDD, custom scan that location for viruses and reformat.

 

[dukethedj]

OK. I will try that now. Hope it works (If the files still happen to transfer, would Microsoft Security Essentials and MalwareBytes clean them?)

 

[DustSailor]

Forgot to mention, do a full reformat, not a quick one. It will take longer
*Edit* opps, didn't see 'whs' post

 

[dukethedj]

It is a small risk.

Make sure your computer is completely updated, programs are updated, and antivirus is updated.

If you have an old computer laying around to use to reformat it, then go for it. If not, you could attempt to disable autoplay for all drives: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/216706-autoplay-enable-disable.html (and then later re-enable it after all is done)

Then plug in the HDD, custom scan that location for viruses and reformat.

This is the newest pc in the house. the rest uses ide connections, not sata.

 

[DustSailor]

If the files still happen to transfer, would Microsoft Security Essentials and MalwareBytes clean them?

yes, but you would do a full scan.

This is the newest pc in the house. the rest uses ide connections, not sata.

Then the new computer it is

 

[dukethedj]

I just finished formatting and scanning just now and it is working fine!

 

[DustSailor]

Cool! Just to be clear, you should make sure you scan your whole system if you haven't yet, just to be on the safe side. Cheers

 

[dukethedj]

I have scanned the whole system. Just need to turn auto play back on.