Problems with Removable drives (thumb drivers/DVD-ROM, everything)

r4fay said:

Thanks Mike for such great information and support. And yes, I do have backups of my stuff on the cloud and on physical drives. Let's make this clear, point me out if I'm wrong before I do a re-install again.

So, I'm supposed to run another software and see what it detects and then hit the delete button. After that, I've make a good backup of my stuff and clear all those partitions. Once I'm done cleaning the malware, I've to re-install my Windows (via the only single thumb-drive that works) and take care not be affected again next time.

But it will solve my removable devices problems which I stated above? I mean, what we are doing now is cleaning the bad stuff.

My pleasure. As I wrote I am sorry it was such bad news, but better that than slowly going crazy because things don't work and you can't find the cause!

Yes, that is correct. Make sure there is no malware on the thumb drive!

I am pretty certain that will solve your problems.

Regards....Mike Connor

r4fay said:

Edit: I would also like to ask which Anti-virus software you will suggest? I've been Microsoft Security Essentials for 1.5 years but I want your suggestions on best software.

Which is the "best" is a moot point, also rather subjective. I use this;

Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus

The freeware is adequate for most users. But Microsoft Security Essentials is also usually adequate. It is actually rarely the fault of these programs that malware manages to slip through. This is usually the result of downloading stuff without checking it properly, opening rogue e-mails, etc.

If you are unsure about a file etc , then send it here to be checked BEFORE you download it;

VirusTotal - Free Online Virus, Malware and URL Scanner

You should also use some form of website checking in your browser.

WOT is OK, this is better;

http://www.linkextend.com/

Regards....Mike Connor

r4fay said:

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to re-install the Windows now, and will post the results :fingers-crossed:
Hope those thumbs and external hdd drives work.

OK. I am looking forward to reading a success story! :)

Regards....Mike Connor

My pleasure. Glad to hear you got everything sorted out.

What you describe there is often due to a dirty lens on the LASER ( Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission Of Radiation. Added that because hardly anybody seem to know it is an acronym, or what it means). This often occurs in "dirty" environments. Especially where people smoke tobacco, ( or whatever else! :) ),the tar builds up on various surfaces, and in the case of a laser-pick-up-lens, renders it unusable until cleaned.

You can try the following, but be aware that this is not exactly "easy! !

How to Clean the Laser Pickup Lens on your DVD Player | eHow.com

Be careful when doing this, work slowly and carefully, in a good light, do not use force on any components, and DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY INTO ANY LASER SOURCE, this can blind you. Hopefully needless to say that you must remove all power connections before you do anything like this.

It is also a good idea to touch a metal part of the casing of whatever you are going to repair, with one hand, while touching a water pipe or similar with the other hand.

MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN YOU HAVE DISCONNECTED MAINS POWER BEFORE YOU DO THIS!!!

If there are any short circuits or errors in your device, or your RCD, or your mains supply is not fitted with such devices, this can be FATAL !!!!.

Doing this will discharge any static build-up and prevent damage to electronic components.

Regards....Mike Connor

r4fay said:

I'd rather claim the warranty than fixing myself. :)

Yes of course, if the machine is under warranty, then take it back. Trying to fix it yourself will VOID the warranty.

Sorry, I did not know this was a new machine, or drive.

Regards....Mike Connor