Computer shut down...

[kawikaratekid]

Hey all,

I've had my old computer for over five years now. I've had several viruses on it and have successfully removed them. Recently I got some sort of root kit on my computer. Well needless to say I couldn't remove this one and it has put that computer into a coma. I can turn it off and on, and sometimes log in. When I log in none of the apps work and the computer ends up freezing.

Would anyone know how to remove the information that I have stored on the hard drive? I have some important information on there and would like to remove it.

Thanks

[gsxr750]

I'd say boot into safe mode, and copy whatever you need to backup onto a USB key.

Just make sure when you go to restore those files, you have an up to date virus scanner in place, otherwise you run the risk of just re-infecting yourself when you restore them.

[BAM]

If its a mac..

..problem could be the rainbow generator.

[RagingRandy]

If safe mode does not work download a copy of Knoppix and it will make a bootable CD for you. Of course you will need to do this from a different computer. You will boot off this disk and recover your files to a USB drive. Knoppix comes loaded with AV software which may be able to clean things up.

[gsxr750]

Good idea! Here's a fast Knoppix mirror link for ya.. in case you go that route:

http://knoppix.cs.wisc.edu/pub/mirrors/linux/knoppix/KNOPPIX_V5.1.1CD-2007-01-04-EN.iso

[z83]

safe mode with network support

run smithfraudfix (http://http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix.exe)
run malwarebytes (http://http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php)
run spywareterminator (http://http://dnl.spywareterminator.com/dnl/config/338/SpywareTerminatorSetup.exe)
and spybot (http://http://www.01net.com/telecharger/windows/Internet/internet_utlitaire/fiches/26157.html)

running a few online scans would be good also : bitdefender (http://http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html), NOD32 (http://http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/), onecare (http://http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm)

your problem should be solved with those scans

[champcar99]

just reformat your computer aslong as there is nothing on there you really need

[Dozer1980]

For me i throw the drive into my main system and run it as a slave then throw every piece of virus/spam ware/ cleanup tool that i have at it then go into it and either find the files i want and transfer them to a partitioned spot on my main drive or to a few double dvds. Saved alot of drives this way unless it overheated or somethin and cooked then its a job for a recovery buisness