Microsoft System Sweeper

[alphanumeric]

Thanks Mickey. I just tried that, rather than the one time boot option, and got the same result. It's a Gigabyte board and BIOS. Anyway, I don't think it will matter if I do get an infection in Windows.
If that happens I can just pop the side of the case and disconnect the Linux drive. I haven't tied this but I imagine without GRUB being present it will work. I only wanted to try the sweeper anyway, no probs at the moment.

Cheers, John

PS ymmv..?

I like the one time boot menu option. Only problem is on my motherboard its F8. It can be a little tricky getting the timing right if you're trying to get the Windows safe mode screen and not the quick boot menu.

 

[simmo]

umm errors and won't install on either a USB/CD/DVD....

Beta has a lil :devil: in it someplace

 

[gogreen]

I tried the 64-bit sweeper on a Windows 7 desktop and the 32-bit sweeper on an old (2002) but up-to-date XP laptop, and both worked fine.

How do you update the definitions for a CD? I'm guessing you have to download the files and make a new CD. Correct?

 

[Brink]

Hello Gogreen,

Other than creating a new CD/DVD each time, I would recommend to create a USB version instead to make keeping it updated easier.

You could use Option One in the yellow TIP box at the bottom of the tutorial below to download the latest definitions before you run the scan at boot. They will not be saved to the CD/DVD though.

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

 

[SIW2]

How does that make it easier?

 

[Brink]

How does that make it easier?

Creating a bootable USB flash drive with Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper will allow you to have it updated either at boot or by running the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Tool on the USB again without having to create a new one each time unlike with a CD/DVD or ISO.

 

[SIW2]

Not clear to me what that means.

I created an .iso - it appeared to be downloading updates during creation.

On booting the .iso straight after that, it updated again.

I didn't need to create a new one.

 

[Brink]

Ok, hope this makes more sense then.

Sure they will all update at boot, but that's only in memory for the CD/DVD or ISO. If you boot the CD/DVD or ISO again, it will have to download the same update again. The USB flash drive itself gets updated with the new updates saved to it, where the CD/DVD or ISO themselves will not be updated since the updates cannot be saved to them.

 

[SIW2]

Ah , yes - if the flash drive saves updates to the drive - then that might save downloading the 60-70mb next time you do a scan.

With iso , it saves the updates to the target partition - they are still there - I could just browse to them .

 

[Brink]

True. Oh well, the definitions will most likely be out of date the next time it's used anyways and have to be updated again unless you're scanning more than one computer in a row.

 

[SIW2]

Yes.

Interesting tho.

MS may be adding this to system recovery options.

Seems very odd to have it separate .

 

[Brink]

That would be a great option to have for Windows 8. Hint Hint MS.

 

[Airbot]

I'd bet they won't build it in, and face possible antitrust issues again. Why everything's separate, i.e, MSE.

 

[Stratos]

It's a simple tool, great to have on a cheap USB flash drive, like the ones you find in Office Depot near the cash register for a few bucks.

Pros: Free, simple to use, simply learning curve.

Cons: Slow.

 

[SIW2]

Yes, they may be concerned about the competition authorities with that one.

If it is available to download optionally - then it would be a good idea to include sysrec options with it - adds a few mb to size, but it's worth it.

 

[gogreen]

Thanks, Brink and others, for the discussion and tips on updating. I'm thinking I'll get a cheapie flash drive and use that for the sweeper.

 

[alphanumeric]

In reference to the CD/DVD versus USB auto update discussion. Something to keep in mind is that you may not be able to connect to the internet on the target PC to get the updates. I'm not sure whats included for drivers with the System Sweeper but I wouldn't just assume its going to work. In that case I think the USB drive may be the better choice. Update it on a working PC then run it on the infected PC. I plan on doing a little testing myself just to see home this works on some of my home PCs. I have 32 bit and 64 bit USB versions.

 

[Dave76]

Couldn't get the ISO version to work on my Multi tool grub USB, D/L'ed the latest definitions and put the file on the USB root and it is working.

This will make it easy to update, just delete the old file and add the new one.
It didn't ask for an update.

My format USB version won't work, will try formatting the USB first and reloading, then check if this will work on it as well.
The same definition file is on the root of the USB.

 

[gogreen]

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?

 

[Skulblaka]

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?

Well, that's the thing, you don't have to boot to scan when your system is compromised.

It's a "boot scan" meaning you don't start your OS that is infected to scan and clean out the infection.