How do the professionals fix computers with viruses?

Question

More specifically, lets say someone has a virus on their computer.  Normally, if it were me, I would already have a anti-virus program on my own computer that would be able to scan files before I open them.  If you were to do that on someone else's computer, that would require you to install an anti-virus program on their computer.  However, professionals wouldn't install anything, due to possibly, liability issues, no room, they don't want you to, etc. etc.  

This makes me wonder how the pros do it?  I can imagine with desktop computer, they could take out the hard drive and hook it up to their own computer as a secondary to scan it that way?  But what if you can't?  What if the hard drive is stuck in the machine such as a laptop which you just cant take out? What do they do then?  What other possibilities could there be in ways of fixing stuff?

Dj T · Accepted Answer

This is how I remove malware from a computer.  I have an Ultimate Boot CD strictly for removing any types of malware.  The UBCD is a stripped down version of windows that lets me run my malware removal software such as Superantispyware, Avira, Spybot, Adware, A-Squared and others.  I usually only use Super and Avira, then log into safe mode and run a quick scan with Malwarebytes.  After I am finished running these scans I use a program called hijackthis to delete any startup entries.  Once this is done I proceed with using CCleaner to remove any temp files and invalid registry entries.

JohnJ79 · Answer

as an ex-pro, you can boot from a thumb drive to run an antivirus, you can boot from a CD or DVD, and you can remove the hard drive on any laptop i've ever encountered. sometimes you have to remove several tiny screws, but they've all been replaceable, then you have these $2 adapters so you can plug that laptop drive straight into a desktop IDE channel, or even a usb port and scan it with an antivirus. 

When a virus has just corrupted system files too much to repair we would use a linux computer to copy the user's files off and scan for viruses and burn them a backup DVD of their stuff and format their hard drive and install windows and put their files back in as best as we can. big-box stores like bestbuy or compusa just toss your hard drive in the garbage and give you a new one with no concern for backing up your files, or even properly destroying the hard drive so someone doesn't fish it out of the garbage and try some identity theft...

korgrue · Answer

I use a diagnostic suite that I run directly from my thumb drive that does not require any installations when I am diagnosing/repairing other peoples computers.

It executes directly from the thumb drive.

Also, hijack this is a great tool for diagnosing malware/viruses.

Anonymous · Answer

Installing good antiviruses like AVG and other tools like CCleaner.

If that doesn't work they reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows and hardware drivers.

That will completely remove it.

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How do the professionals fix computers with viruses?

4 Answers