Make a laptop look like another drive? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

thebone · 2012-03-27, 09:05 AM

Hey gang

A friend's pc is infected galore. Turns out he had no anti virus.

I tried to get him to run malwarebytes but he left it on all night and it still says not responding

So what I wondered about doing, if this is possible, is getting a usb-usb cord, connect to my computer. then, hopefully my computer would treat it as a hard drive, then I could run that software on my computer and tell it to scan that "drive"

is that possible or is there a better method?

Norman_C · 2012-03-27, 09:29 AM

Risky solution as you're opening up your machine to the malware.
Better to download one of the stand-alone AV programs to a memory stick and boot your friend's machine from that.
I use AVG rescue cd

thebone · 2012-03-27, 09:59 AM

thx for the tip

billpaidJr · 2012-03-27, 10:34 AM

And what you wanted to do is possible but you would need to remove the harddrive from the laptop and put it into a USB drive enclosure. Sometimes a complete re-install of the OS is best for the real nasty infections.

Good luck and tell your friend to stop using internet explorer

hehe...

classicsat · 2012-03-27, 10:43 AM

If you mean independant of the OS, no. USB is a host-cliet protocol generally. The USB port on the computer is a host only. And USB to USB cable would be a smart transfer cable, and require the OS running.

What you can do, is use a clean bootable OS on the USB drive, such as any of the Live Linux distros, and back up the important files to another USB drive, or to a network transfer. Then do a complete clean OS re-install, then restore the files.

Gino Cerullo · 2012-03-27, 02:54 PM

What you are asking for is called 'Target Disk Mode' and is only supported by Firewire (IEEE 1394) and Thunderbolt ports and is a unique feature of Apple Macintosh computers. The host computer can be a Windows or Linux computer but the host must have a way to read and/or right to Apple's HFS file system to be of any use. Windows and Linux do not support this feature as a target.

Read more about Target Disk Mode here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_Disk_Mode

stern_howie · 2012-03-28, 12:44 PM

as mentioned booting from a usb key or a cd to clean this up is best. Removing the HD is an option but could infect your machine, additionally some brand name suppliers HP for example don't use standard drive connections on their laptop HD's this is a PIA I have experienced.

thebone · 2012-03-31, 05:23 AM

Ok so this thing is good and wonky.

He tried leaving malwarebytes on over night and nada. He took it to me, I booted into safe mode. I started malwarebytes and it got about 45 seconds-1 minute in and the screen went black. Turns out it powered down. So as it booted back up it said something like there was problem with startup and wanted to run startup recovery and said in brackets recommended.

Now it is just caught in a loop - it gets to the bios screen, then shuts off.

Windows Vista

HP G60-249CA

Any thoughts/suggestions ?

billpaidJr · 2012-03-31, 09:36 AM

At that point if there is nothing worth saving on it I would re-install the OS. If there is stuff on there he wants to recover then to take it in to a place to back up his files...then wipe it.

frenchhomer · 2012-03-31, 10:28 AM

I would use a linux live CD ie knoppix, find what ever stuff you need to save, back to a usb then format the laptop. After you re install the os there are alot of free antivirus out there, ie Avast, Avg etc.

ScaryBob · 2012-03-31, 10:45 AM

I would use a CD ROM only. USB keys can become infected easily. There are a number of options. Most A/V vendors supply bootable CDs or the ability to make one. There are also utility and A/V discs that can be downloaded as ISOs.

In this case I would consider a clean wipe. Backup data files first. Then zero the entire hard drive (boot sector included) with a disk wipe program and reinstall the O/S. Be sure to install a firewall and A/V software as well. MS Security Essentials are free and adequate for the job. Scan the backed up files before using them.

classicsat · 2012-03-31, 11:16 AM

I said it earlier, try a live boot Linux, on USB or CD.

A second resort is to remove the drive and install it in a known clan and working desktop PC as a second drive/

In either case, you need to back up the important files, and do a clean install of the OS.

thebone · 2012-04-01, 04:19 AM

Ok I will try this Knoppix thing. This machine only will stay on for a few minutes.

thebone · 2012-04-01, 06:23 AM

OK this knoppix thing doesn't work as a bootable.

is it supposed to ?

right now i am trying to copy 500 mb of data into a centralized folder where i am going to dump the files he wants saved. this 500 mb folder is going to take 20 hrs

bad stuff

short of taking it to a shop to hook the drive as a slave, is there any last ditch efforts i can try to get the files he wants saved before wiping everything ?

frenchhomer · 2012-04-01, 08:54 AM

Yes iknoppix should boot, do you have the cd boot first in the bios? If not the laptop will just boot from the hd.

2012-03-27, 09:05 AM	#1
thebone Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 182	Make a laptop look like another drive? Hey gang A friend's pc is infected galore. Turns out he had no anti virus. I tried to get him to run malwarebytes but he left it on all night and it still says not responding So what I wondered about doing, if this is possible, is getting a usb-usb cord, connect to my computer. then, hopefully my computer would treat it as a hard drive, then I could run that software on my computer and tell it to scan that "drive" is that possible or is there a better method?

2012-03-27, 09:29 AM	#2
Norman_C Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Downtown, Bell VDSL Fibe Posts: 110	Risky solution as you're opening up your machine to the malware. Better to download one of the stand-alone AV programs to a memory stick and boot your friend's machine from that. I use AVG rescue cd __________________ Former Rogers VIP, now Bell Fibe, Sony KDL40W3000, BDPS350, Philips Streamium NP2500 (2). DS209 NAS, Playbook

2012-03-31, 10:45 AM	#11
ScaryBob Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Dandelion City Posts: 7,133	I would use a CD ROM only. USB keys can become infected easily. There are a number of options. Most A/V vendors supply bootable CDs or the ability to make one. There are also utility and A/V discs that can be downloaded as ISOs. In this case I would consider a clean wipe. Backup data files first. Then zero the entire hard drive (boot sector included) with a disk wipe program and reinstall the O/S. Be sure to install a firewall and A/V software as well. MS Security Essentials are free and adequate for the job. Scan the backed up files before using them. __________________ At 20 I had a good mind. At 40 I had money. At 60 I've lost my mind and my money. Oh, to be 20 again. --Scary

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2012-03-27, 09:59 AM	#3
thebone Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 182	thx for the tip

2012-03-27, 10:34 AM	#4
billpaidJr Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 299	And what you wanted to do is possible but you would need to remove the harddrive from the laptop and put it into a USB drive enclosure. Sometimes a complete re-install of the OS is best for the real nasty infections. Good luck and tell your friend to stop using internet explorer hehe...

2012-03-27, 10:43 AM	#5
classicsat Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kincardine ON. Posts: 3,942	If you mean independant of the OS, no. USB is a host-cliet protocol generally. The USB port on the computer is a host only. And USB to USB cable would be a smart transfer cable, and require the OS running. What you can do, is use a clean bootable OS on the USB drive, such as any of the Live Linux distros, and back up the important files to another USB drive, or to a network transfer. Then do a complete clean OS re-install, then restore the files.

2012-03-27, 02:54 PM	#6
Gino Cerullo Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 582	What you are asking for is called 'Target Disk Mode' and is only supported by Firewire (IEEE 1394) and Thunderbolt ports and is a unique feature of Apple Macintosh computers. The host computer can be a Windows or Linux computer but the host must have a way to read and/or right to Apple's HFS file system to be of any use. Windows and Linux do not support this feature as a target. Read more about Target Disk Mode here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_Disk_Mode

2012-03-28, 12:44 PM	#7
stern_howie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 64	as mentioned booting from a usb key or a cd to clean this up is best. Removing the HD is an option but could infect your machine, additionally some brand name suppliers HP for example don't use standard drive connections on their laptop HD's this is a PIA I have experienced.

2012-03-31, 05:23 AM	#8
thebone Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 182	Ok so this thing is good and wonky. He tried leaving malwarebytes on over night and nada. He took it to me, I booted into safe mode. I started malwarebytes and it got about 45 seconds-1 minute in and the screen went black. Turns out it powered down. So as it booted back up it said something like there was problem with startup and wanted to run startup recovery and said in brackets recommended. Now it is just caught in a loop - it gets to the bios screen, then shuts off. Windows Vista HP G60-249CA Any thoughts/suggestions ?

2012-03-31, 09:36 AM	#9
billpaidJr Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 299	At that point if there is nothing worth saving on it I would re-install the OS. If there is stuff on there he wants to recover then to take it in to a place to back up his files...then wipe it.

2012-03-31, 10:28 AM	#10
frenchhomer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 111	I would use a linux live CD ie knoppix, find what ever stuff you need to save, back to a usb then format the laptop. After you re install the os there are alot of free antivirus out there, ie Avast, Avg etc.

2012-03-31, 11:16 AM	#12
classicsat Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kincardine ON. Posts: 3,942	I said it earlier, try a live boot Linux, on USB or CD. A second resort is to remove the drive and install it in a known clan and working desktop PC as a second drive/ In either case, you need to back up the important files, and do a clean install of the OS.

2012-04-01, 04:19 AM	#13
thebone Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 182	Ok I will try this Knoppix thing. This machine only will stay on for a few minutes.

2012-04-01, 06:23 AM	#14
thebone Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 182	OK this knoppix thing doesn't work as a bootable. is it supposed to ? right now i am trying to copy 500 mb of data into a centralized folder where i am going to dump the files he wants saved. this 500 mb folder is going to take 20 hrs bad stuff short of taking it to a shop to hook the drive as a slave, is there any last ditch efforts i can try to get the files he wants saved before wiping everything ?

2012-04-01, 08:54 AM	#15
frenchhomer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 111	Yes iknoppix should boot, do you have the cd boot first in the bios? If not the laptop will just boot from the hd.