Can I transfer files from an old PC that is infected to my new PC?

Question

My '98 HP Desktop was terriblly infected, rather than repair the old one, I went out and ordered a Dell desktop. Can I transfer the files via CDs or a memory stick without infecting my new computer. Side note- I have McAfee and Norton on the new PC

Answer 1

If you want the infections on your new computer then go ahead. Otherwise, remove the infections from the old one or write the files off.

Go here and learn how to protect your new computer.

http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/computer_privacy_and_security.htm

Answer 2

I would strongly suggest chosing either norton or mcaffee and removing the other, having two virus scanners at the same time is extremely unnecessary, and when a virus is found, both apps will try to "fight" for the rights to clean it, of the two choices I recommend Norton.

To transfer files, depending on the types of files it is very likely that you could infect the new PC, just be sure to scan everything on the new PC and have it run a full system scan after you are done copying. CD or memory stick would work fine, or you can even network the two PC's together, create a file share on your new PC (just right click a folder and select SHARING to set it up) then you can drag and drop the files across your network from the old PC right to the new one.

Also I suggest a spyware scanner / remover...and a great free one is Windows Defender at http://www.microsoft.com/spyware

You should use it in conjunction with your virus scanner to ensure you are properly protected from both viruses AND spyware.

Answer 3

I totally agree with the other answers. You have to remove the viruses first otherwise you are just moving the virus. Some things are not detected so you have to get a current antivirus program to make sure. I had an old Win 98 cd someone gave me and it was infected. When I used the dos program to remove the viruses, just about every file was infected. Even if you copy to CD or memory stick, you are just moving the virus. You have to clean up your system well first and then move the files over.

Answer 4

If you are careful, this could work. First, make SURE your antivirus software works when any drive or disk is connected or attached. You can test this by Googling for a "virus test file" used by many companies, copying it to your transfer disk you'll use to move things, and seeing how fast (or if) your antivirus software recognizes the infected files. Basically you want your AV software to attack any connected disks like a rabid animal to keep the rest of your computer from immediate infection.

Be sure to copy files a small bit at a time (again, a flash disk or small hard drive works), but don't attach your old infected drive directly to your computer, or you'll likely has a bad de'ja vu moment.

AVG is a free antivirus program in case you're counting pennies. SpyBot is a good anti-spyware app that's also free.

Answer 5

You should remove the viruses/spyware from the old PC before you transfer the files over. Or, transfer the files to the CD or memory stick, then run McAfee/Norton on those files on the CD or memory stick to check for infection before you copy those files to your new pc.

Answer 6

Yes. But mostly I would suggest only moving the most important files that you need. Also, you will need to have some sort of anti spy ware and anti virus software running on your new PC. Make sure you scan all incoming files before you even begin to move them off though, virus's and similar infections like to stick to files and breed like a normal human type virus. Once your done transferring all of the files, do another scan only this time of your entire system. After that I would suggest browsing with Mozilla's Firefox because its more stable and MUCH safer to use (primarily because it doesn't use Active X controls) and very customizable, you can add radar extensions media player extensions, all of that nice stuff to make it more useful. Personally once gotten, I would suggest browsing for an extension that allows you to open pages that only display properly in IE (about 90 percent of pages work, 5 percent look just a bit off, and 5 percent just dont work) because it allows you to ditch IE for good. And also make sure that your system is set up to scan itself occasionally (weekly is best) and make sure you always have McAfee's firewall set to tight, so that way you get prompted if a new program that is trying to get to the Internet is one you installed, or one that has gotten on your computer and wants some friends to get in too and wreck up the place, Firefox prevents most of this though. Follow these steps and chances are you'll be safe. P.S. make sure you un-install anything you new PC came with that you didn't want, like games that give you free trials or software that offers free trials. Chances are their OK, but stuff like wild tangent is known for filling their stuff with spy ware.

Answer 7

decision a million Take your old demanding force and placed it in new computing device and replica the information decision 2 in case to procure a community Ethernet adapter then create a community and replica those archives over the LAN community decision 3 purchase a cheap USB adapter then move those archives onto it. After yu performed with the USB adapter you are able to deploy it into your new computing device so that you get more effective USB Ports

Answer 8

You could, but you may risk infecting your new computer as well.