Can I use linux to boot up an infected computer?

Question

Can I use linux to boot up an infected computer?

Answer 1

Yes you can. It will boot up as a LiveCD and run in memory. You may need to use the program software management program and install Clam the Anti Virus program for Linux by typing in the search box Clam and press enter. Then click on it and then apply, but while it is showing the clam files find the one to run the GUI also. That way you see the software program and can run it yourself. Normally Clam Antivirus will run in the background unseen by the user, if you don't Install the Grapical User Interface with it. Sounds complicated, but it really isn't.



I misread the whole question, Yes you can use Linux the wipe the hard drive clean of every thing. You would need to use gparted the Linux program for doing hard drive partitions.



1. You can download and burn the Linux Gparted LiveCD, burn it to a CD, boot it and partition the hard drive and not even play around with Linux itself.



2.The Hirem's Boot Disk



3. UBCD (Ultimate Boot CD) disk



Any one of the four. If you have a Windows XP CD and boot it up, you would simple have it delete the current partition and then partition NTSF and when it finished it would reinstall Windows fresh and clean.

Answer 2

It would get rid of the virus. A virus is only a software program, it isn't hardware. Your XP disc should have a erase hard disc tool option. I used mine all the time to fix computers when I was into that stuff. But seriously, consider a mac or some linux/unix OS. Or even check out Chrome OS.

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

I had to do this. I had a corrupt hard disc that someone gave me to fix. It has a virus on it. When I tried to reinstall Windblows on it, the operation would fail every time. I used Linux to fix it.



You can do that, but you have to download the "live CD" version.



The easiest way to do what you want to do is to make a "pendrive". http://www.ehow.com/how_6779680_boot-usb-linux.html



Tell your BIOS to boot from the "pendrive".



Once you boot Linux, and you are at the BASH prompt as the root user, type the following command:



dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda (this assumes your hard disk is an IDE or ATA)



The master boot record will be clobbered and the virus, as well as all your data will die.



If your hard drive is SATA or SCSI things can get more complicated. The "pendrive" will look like a SCSI drive to Linux, and so will your hard disk(s). I do not know witch drive will be sda (first), sdb (second) or sdb (third). You can do both, but that will also nuke to content of your pen drive, but you will have to reformat it anyway.



dd if=dev/zero of=/dev/sda (clobber the master boot record of the first drive)

dd if=dev/zero of=/dev/sdb (clobber the master boot record of the second drive)

dd if=dev/zero of=/dev/sdc (clobber the master boot record of the third drive.... See the pattern)



Anyway what is happening is the dd command will copy the default of 512 bytes from "if" to "of". dev/zero means just copy zeros. /dev/xxx is where you want the data to go.



What do you have to loose?



If course you could always use the Linux fdisk command to create a new partition table, but I think dd is less complicated for a new person.



Good luck

Answer 5

Of course it would work.



And Linux Mint is a great choice. It's one of the most user-friendly Linux distributions, and is really easy to adapt to from Windows.



Also, to the first poster, why would anyone using a desktop computer want Chrome OS?

Answer 6

Absolutely you are correct. I am guessing a Desktop ? So simple easy as pie. For desktop get InfraRecorder http://infrarecorder.sourceforge.net/ FIRST and then burn recommended stable secure Ubuntu Linux 10.04 LTS (Long Term Support). Debian acknowledges stability issues in Mint. A computer operating system is called an ISO Image when it is on CD/DVD like you would purchase Windows on a CD/DVD -- ISO Image. Recommended Go To... http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download AND in the4 drop down window choose Ubuntu 10.04 LTS version.



INSTRUCTIONS....

95 / 98 / ME / 2000 / XP / Server 2003 / Vista: Infra Recorder

1. Download and install Infra Recorder, a free and open-source image-burning program.

2. Insert a blank CD in the drive and select Do nothing or Cancel if an autorun dialog box pops up.

3. Open Infra Recorder and click the 'Write Image' button in the main screen.

* Alternatively you can select the 'Actions' menu, then 'Burn image'.

4. Select the Ubuntu CD image file you want to use, then click 'Open'.

5. In the dialog box, click 'OK'.



(NETBOOK -- You need to buy a USB Drive NOT USB Media Storage stick (thumb drive) and same price between 10-20 dollars. You would download Ubuntu Linux 10.04 Netbook Edition available free at Softpedia for destination. Insert USB Drive and transfer it to there. Start Netbook put in drive and shut down. Upon start up keep tapping ESC (escape) KEY up top far left. Linux Options Panel now appear. )



Now when ready either on Desktop or Netbook when have the Linux ISO on CD/DVD or USB Drive and in drawer or usb port and shut down computer - then on start up (tapping continually ESC key for Netbooks) OR on Desktop the Linux options panel appears. OPTION: Test Drive Demo Mode Do Not Install.... Wipe Entire Disk and Install Linux..... Install Linux Aside Other System (Windows, dual boot) ......



NOW with the options you may even consider the dual boot system if you wish to keep XP and Linux which you can choose either to use at start up. OR if indeed you wish to just say goodbye to windows and use only Linux - simply choose to wipe the entire disk and install Linux only. This is automatic and is done in a few seconds actually and will not be stopped by Windows or any malware whatsoever.



DUAL BOOT OPTIONS / DIAGNOSE WINDOWS - REPAIR... if you are a savvy user knowing how to access system files and the windows registry - you may wish to consider these options. And PS.... when you dual boot install Linux with Windows - start Linux and you will have full access to Windows in Linux. ......



How to Fix a Windows Infection Using Linux

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/208720/how_to_fix_a_windows_infection_using_linux.html



Fix the Windows Registry from a Linux Thumb Drive

http://lifehacker.com/5584762/edit-the-windows-registry-from-a-linux-thumb-drive



TIP: If the Linux install panel is not appearing on boot up but just goes to windows THEN you may have to enter BIOS which is usually the F2 or F10 or F12 key up top (depending on manufacturer) you keep tapping on start up of the computer. You will see the panel open and Go To Boot Sector and move your CD/DVD Disk to the primary boot and click F10 to keep changes and it will reboot right into Linux on the CD Drawer with all Linux options avialable as expected.



INFECTION INFO....

Remove ThinkPoint (Uninstall Guide)

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-thinkpoint

Oct 21, 2010 ... This page contains free removal instructions for ThinkPoint. Please use this guide to uninstall ThinkPoint and any associated malware.