Microsoft System Sweeper

[alphanumeric]

If I may interject a quick question here--perhaps I missed something, but what does System Sweeper do that Microsoft Security Essentials doesn't do, assuming one's computer isn't incapacitated by malware?

If your PC isn't infected you don't really need this tool. When you need it is when you have a bad infection that is doing things like disabling your antivirus, blocking you from on line scans, etc. Windows isn't running so the malware isn't either. It makes it easier to get ride of when its not actively trying to stop you. Its always nice to have options. You hope you never need it, but its still nice to have it ready just in case.

 

[Stratos]

If I may interject a quick question here--perhaps I missed something, but what does System Sweeper do that Microsoft Security Essentials doesn't do, assuming one's computer isn't incapacitated by malware?

I'm sure you know once I've said it but it's all about dealing with a compromised system. In some cases, the type of infection can be resolved while in Windows, and running MSE, however some situations may involve problems where that's not easy to do... think about all those rogue AntiVirus 2011 variants that simply doesn't allow you to launch an AV or anti-Malware app, connect to the internet and so forth. It's because it's made significant changes to your registry and "normal" antiviral/anti-malware removal procedures aren't easy to implement while-in-windows.

That's where this comes in.

 

[gogreen]

OK, I'm convinced. Thanks. Luckily, I have never had a really bad problem that prevented my going online or my using my antimalware software.

I hope I haven't just jinxed myself.

 

[dothackjhe]

I'm having trouble running the x64 version of this software after finishing the download as ISO. After clicking the .exe within the disc, it just extracts the files needed for installation then nothing happens. This extraction method I was talking about isn't the same that happens when extracting some files off a compressed rar.

 

[Brink]

Hello Dothackjhe,

Double check through the tutorial below to see if it may be able to help.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-microsoft-standalone-system-sweeper.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Dave76]

I'm having trouble running the x64 version of this software after finishing the download as ISO. After clicking the .exe within the disc, it just extracts the files needed for installation then nothing happens. This extraction method I was talking about isn't the same that happens when extracting some files off a compressed rar.

Not sure the procedure you used but, maybe because you need to Burn the ISO to the CD/DVD and not copy.
Then CD/DVD is bootable, insert into the drive and select the one time boot option when system is booting, usually F12, or set the boot priority in your BIOS to CD/DVD before your OS drive.

The ISO can also be used on a bootable USB memory stick.
This has to have boot files, for example a Linex grub, on the root of the USB stick.

You can get the one I'm using here, Corsair Bootable USB Flash Drive.

You can add any program in ISO format, add/Edit the menu file and you can open them from the menu page when the USB is booted.
The USB stick can still be used as a storage device, this won't affect the boot files or added programs.

For MSSS, The first time I tried it I got a no definitions error message. First delete the previous definitions file mpam-fex64.exe, from the root of the USB memory stick.
Download the latest Microsoft Security Essentials virus definition files and place it on the root of the USB memory stick with the multi tool grub.
Boot to the USB stick and select the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper you created and it will ask if you want to boot from CD/DVD, just hit the enter key and it will startup.

It is easy to setup.

 

[dothackjhe]

Oops, I didn't noticed the 'bootable' part of the software. I tried running it by mounting the ISO in a virtual drive. Silly me lol.

 

[dothackjhe]

Hello Dothackjhe,

Double check through the tutorial below to see if it may be able to help.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-microsoft-standalone-system-sweeper.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks. I think the developer of the software has a great idea about this. It would most likely remove those hard-to-remove malwares since the scanning and cleaning using this tool happens at the boot menu and not while the PC has fully booted.

 

[dothackjhe]

I'm having trouble running the x64 version of this software after finishing the download as ISO. After clicking the .exe within the disc, it just extracts the files needed for installation then nothing happens. This extraction method I was talking about isn't the same that happens when extracting some files off a compressed rar.

Not sure the procedure you used but, maybe because you need to Burn the ISO to the CD/DVD and not copy.
Then CD/DVD is bootable, insert into the drive and select the one time boot option when system is booting, usually F12, or set the boot priority in your BIOS to CD/DVD before your OS drive.

The ISO can also be used on a bootable USB memory stick.
This has to have boot files, for example a Linex grub, on the root of the USB stick.

You can get the one I'm using here, Corsair Bootable USB Flash Drive.

You can add any program in ISO format, add/Edit the menu file and you can open them from the menu page when the USB is booted.
The USB stick can still be used as a storage device, this won't affect the boot files or added programs.

For MSSS, The first time I tried it I got a no definitions error message. First delete the previous definitions file mpam-fex64.exe, from the root of the USB memory stick.
Download the latest Microsoft Security Essentials virus definition files and place it on the root of the USB memory stick with the multi tool grub.
Boot to the USB stick and select the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper you created and it will ask if you want to boot from CD/DVD, just hit the enter key and it will startup.

It is easy to setup.

Thanks, I missed the part of this software being 'bootable' thus thought it would work just like any software would in an ISO format. I like the idea of this tool being able to do the scanning at the boot menu and not while in the middle of a fully booted computer which makes some malwares difficult to remove as some are being "locked" in the system.

 

[alphanumeric]

I'm having trouble running the x64 version of this software after finishing the download as ISO. After clicking the .exe within the disc, it just extracts the files needed for installation then nothing happens. This extraction method I was talking about isn't the same that happens when extracting some files off a compressed rar.

I believe the way its supposed to work is you burn the ISO image to a CD, and then boot from the CD to run it. it sounds like you extracted the files from the ISO image and tried to run it from windows. After you download the ISO, the instructions will be displayed in the window with the finish button in it. There is also a get more help link there as well.

 

[dothackjhe]

I'm having trouble running the x64 version of this software after finishing the download as ISO. After clicking the .exe within the disc, it just extracts the files needed for installation then nothing happens. This extraction method I was talking about isn't the same that happens when extracting some files off a compressed rar.

I believe the way its supposed to work is you burn the ISO image to a CD, and then boot from the CD to run it. it sounds like you extracted the files from the ISO image and tried to run it from windows. After you download the ISO, the instructions will be displayed in the window with the finish button in it. There is also a get more help link there as well.

Yes that's exactly what I did earlier. I missed the part where it was stated it was 'bootable'.

 

[bigcitycat]

I didn't have any problem burning this to disc. I will keep it handy so I can fix all my friends and family's computers when they get infected.

 

[Buddahfan]

Windows 7 SP1 x64

Since MSS formats your USB thumbnail drive as part of its install and setup I purchased a new USB installed MSS on it and ran MSS from it the last night.

After MSS was installed on the USB thumb drive I rebooted hit the F12 key during reboot which sent me to the boot options. I selected the USB thumbnail drive and it worked like a charm.

I let the Full System Scan run overnight because it takes few hours. Everything came up clean.

It worked like a charm. After I exited MSS, the computer rebooted back to my Windows Desktop.

Next up will be next week when I do an update to the virus definitions with a new download. Hopefully it won't reformat the thumbnail drive when the updates to the virus definitions are applied.

If it doesn't then I will try and partition the thumbnail drive with MSS and SAS Portable in one partition and my files in the other partition.

Will post back after trying this.

 

[alphanumeric]

I ran it on my desktop PC that is running 7x64. I was able to update though its update menu option, while it was running on that PC. That PC has a wired connection. On my 32 bit XP PC it wouldn't update. That PC only has a wireless internet connection. When I tried to update it just popped up an error message. Error 08.... something. I didn't bother to write it down. This isn't meant to be a criticism, just an observation. Eventually I plan to try it on my daughters 7x86 netbook. First wirless and then with a wired connection. My XP PC is too far from my router to try and run a cable to, and I don't feel like moving it.

 

[mickey megabyte]

yeah, i actually tried it on a friend's infected 32bit xp machine today too:

booted from cd, tried to update definitions, it seemed to download something for ages, error message 0x8blah, then returned to download screen again. connection through ethernet, not wireless.

i tried following the link to download definitions using another machine, but the link only offered definitions for forefront, mse, and defender. wasn't at all clear which defn's were for system sweeper.

i guessed defender, but really wasn't sure what was going on, so i quit and reverted to good old malwarebytes in safemode. malwarebytes found 74 infections (even though eset was installed), and machine seems to be clean now, just running a full eset scan to make sure. :huh:

i may try system sweeper again when it's out of beta.

 

[Buddahfan]

I think that when you boot from the boot USB the programs checks if there are new definitions available and asks if you want to download and install them.

Kind of like W7 does with its auto updates

 

[alphanumeric]

I believe you want the MSE definitions file. mpam-fe.exe for 32 bit and mpam-fe64.exe for 64 bit. Those are the files I'm seeing in the route directory of my thumb drives. I compared the file date and file version of the one on my thumb drive to a downloaded MSE definition file and they were a perfect match. The definition file was downloaded shortly after creating the bootable thumb drive.

 

[Dave76]

yeah, i actually tried it on a friend's infected 32bit xp machine today too:

booted from cd, tried to update definitions, it seemed to download something for ages, error message 0x8blah, then returned to download screen again. connection through ethernet, not wireless.

i tried following the link to download definitions using another machine, but the link only offered definitions for forefront, mse, and defender. wasn't at all clear which defn's were for system sweeper.

i guessed defender, but really wasn't sure what was going on, so i quit and reverted to good old malwarebytes in safemode. malwarebytes found 74 infections (even though eset was installed), and machine seems to be clean now, just running a full eset scan to make sure. :huh:

i may try system sweeper again when it's out of beta.

Use the MSE definitions.
I d/l and replaced the file on my multi tool (Linex pen drive) and it worked, no problems.

alphanumeric is right, tried this after reading his previous suggestion.

 

[mickey megabyte]

thanks peeps - i'll have another look when i get the chance.

 

[SIW2]

I am not sure what they mean by beta.

Exactly the same tool has been working for years as part of msdart as pointed out earlier in the thread.

I expect the idea of having a downloader to create your boot media, and having it's own shelll ( instead of being inclluded in recenv ) is the beta part.

System Sweeper itself has been around an age.

The msascui.exe ( the actual scanner executable ) is dated 2008.