Recovering files from laptop

[PBancroft]

Too late now, of course, but if you take one thing away with you from this, it should be backup anything you don't want to lose. If its important enough to keep, its important enough to spend a few minutes to stick it somewhere safe.

 

[Bman]

Thats true..... But It does sound like Mags' data has not yet been lost.

The only data that could be lost at this stage is anything that had been infected by the virus'. Boot with one of the suggestions above and the chances are 99% of the data that is wanted, should be recoverable.

 

[Bman]

Thats true..... But It does sound like Mags' data has not yet been lost.

The only data that could be lost at this stage is anything that had been infected by the virus'. Boot with one of the suggestions above and the chances are 99% of the data that is wanted, should be recoverable.

 

[ACS]

ERD Commander 2009 R2 Recovery Disk

 

[ACS]

ERD Commander 2009 R2 Recovery Disk

 

[magnatom]

I've bought a hard drive enclosure with a sata to usb thingy. Will pop into work tomorrow to scan and save the data.

The photo's I'm saving are backed up to flicker, but due to being busy I've fell behind. Must keep up in future!

 

[magnatom]

I've bought a hard drive enclosure with a sata to usb thingy. Will pop into work tomorrow to scan and save the data.

The photo's I'm saving are backed up to flicker, but due to being busy I've fell behind. Must keep up in future!

 

[magnatom]

So I've managed to recover the files.

First I ran a virus check (sophos) which found a Trojan (Rootkit-FP) which was causing my problems, so I have removed that. The data files were all fine, so I have copied them across.

I am tempted now to reformat the disk and reinstall windows. My problem is I don't have the disks (it came installed on the laptop - Novatech). Obviously I have a licence (Windows XP Home), but no media. So does anyone have any spare media I could borrow? (would this be a retail or OEM version?)

Also, I'm concerned that after installing, and connecting to the internet, that I could get hacked again. What is the best way to prepare the laptop before I connect it?

 

[magnatom]

So I've managed to recover the files.

First I ran a virus check (sophos) which found a Trojan (Rootkit-FP) which was causing my problems, so I have removed that. The data files were all fine, so I have copied them across.

I am tempted now to reformat the disk and reinstall windows. My problem is I don't have the disks (it came installed on the laptop - Novatech). Obviously I have a licence (Windows XP Home), but no media. So does anyone have any spare media I could borrow? (would this be a retail or OEM version?)

Also, I'm concerned that after installing, and connecting to the internet, that I could get hacked again. What is the best way to prepare the laptop before I connect it?

 

[rh100]

Glad you got your files back

before starting - may be worth backing up bookmarks and things.
my usual way of a safe reinstall, would be to do a full format of the disk during installation, then once into Windows and connected to the net, do nothing before going through all the updates from Microsoft - service packs the lot - it's fully automatic except that after each batch go back to the update site and scan again until it's definitely finished. Then install an anti virus package, I'm currently trying out AntiVir - just get one popup whenever it updates which i don't mind as it's free - otherwise I recommend Kaspersky. As backup to that use something like Malwarebytes and scan once a week for malware - again it's free.



i would also say, after a fresh install, take an image of the disk with some backup software -makes for a quick resore to as new.

 

[rh100]

Glad you got your files back

before starting - may be worth backing up bookmarks and things.
my usual way of a safe reinstall, would be to do a full format of the disk during installation, then once into Windows and connected to the net, do nothing before going through all the updates from Microsoft - service packs the lot - it's fully automatic except that after each batch go back to the update site and scan again until it's definitely finished. Then install an anti virus package, I'm currently trying out AntiVir - just get one popup whenever it updates which i don't mind as it's free - otherwise I recommend Kaspersky. As backup to that use something like Malwarebytes and scan once a week for malware - again it's free.



i would also say, after a fresh install, take an image of the disk with some backup software -makes for a quick resore to as new.

 

[magnatom]

Glad you got your files back

before starting - may be worth backing up bookmarks and things.
my usual way of a safe reinstall, would be to do a full format of the disk during installation, then once into Windows and connected to the net, do nothing before going through all the updates from Microsoft - service packs the lot - it's fully automatic except that after each batch go back to the update site and scan again until it's definitely finished. Then install an anti virus package, I'm currently trying out AntiVir - just get one popup whenever it updates which i don't mind as it's free - otherwise I recommend Kaspersky. As backup to that use something like Malwarebytes and scan once a week for malware - again it's free.



i would also say, after a fresh install, take an image of the disk with some backup software -makes for a quick resore to as new.

Actually, I'm not too worried about the bookmarks etc. All my important ones are on my work computer. The ones at home are the wifes internet shopping stuff!

Aye, I might use my work copy of Acronis 10 to back it up to a external HD (it's a copy I bought with my own money, before anyone moans! )

I had intended going straight to Windows update, but I know it is possible to get infected, just by being connected to the internet!

 

[magnatom]

Glad you got your files back

before starting - may be worth backing up bookmarks and things.
my usual way of a safe reinstall, would be to do a full format of the disk during installation, then once into Windows and connected to the net, do nothing before going through all the updates from Microsoft - service packs the lot - it's fully automatic except that after each batch go back to the update site and scan again until it's definitely finished. Then install an anti virus package, I'm currently trying out AntiVir - just get one popup whenever it updates which i don't mind as it's free - otherwise I recommend Kaspersky. As backup to that use something like Malwarebytes and scan once a week for malware - again it's free.



i would also say, after a fresh install, take an image of the disk with some backup software -makes for a quick resore to as new.

Actually, I'm not too worried about the bookmarks etc. All my important ones are on my work computer. The ones at home are the wifes internet shopping stuff!

Aye, I might use my work copy of Acronis 10 to back it up to a external HD (it's a copy I bought with my own money, before anyone moans! )

I had intended going straight to Windows update, but I know it is possible to get infected, just by being connected to the internet!

 

[rh100]

Actually, I'm not too worried about the bookmarks etc. All my important ones are on my work computer. The ones at home are the wifes internet shopping stuff!

Aye, I might use my work copy of Acronis 10 to back it up to a external HD (it's a copy I bought with my own money, before anyone moans! )

I had intended going straight to Windows update, but I know it is possible to get infected, just by being connected to the internet!

i think generally you're ok before you start browsing around - it's usually clicking on stuff and emails that do the damage. You could always download the setup file for an anti virus now and install it first thing after windows. Also - do you have a proper router that gives you a local IP address? (such as 192.168.x.x) as this NAT translation will protect your pc to some extent. Different story if you only have a Cable modem and nothing else - unless they now use routers also.

 

[rh100]

Actually, I'm not too worried about the bookmarks etc. All my important ones are on my work computer. The ones at home are the wifes internet shopping stuff!

Aye, I might use my work copy of Acronis 10 to back it up to a external HD (it's a copy I bought with my own money, before anyone moans! )

I had intended going straight to Windows update, but I know it is possible to get infected, just by being connected to the internet!

i think generally you're ok before you start browsing around - it's usually clicking on stuff and emails that do the damage. You could always download the setup file for an anti virus now and install it first thing after windows. Also - do you have a proper router that gives you a local IP address? (such as 192.168.x.x) as this NAT translation will protect your pc to some extent. Different story if you only have a Cable modem and nothing else - unless they now use routers also.