i just bought a laptop and theres some music and programs on my old one that i wanna transfer. i dont wanna go thru the hassle of downloading everything over again on my new comp. and duh'r i know i should get rid of the virus. the sad thing is i cant. so i just wanna know if i save my files on floppy or disc or whatever and transfer it to the new comp. will it affect the new comp?
2007-05-19 12:35:37 · 15 answers · asked by Angela H. 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
It all depends on the infection. Burning the stuff to CD is perhaps the safest way, but a boot-virus can infect the boot sector of a disc you put into the computer and will spontaneously launch once you put the disc in the other computer.
I have seen viruses scanning for USB flash drives. The moment you put a flash drive into the infected PC it automatically copies itself to the flash drive. Many viruses are designed to spread this way.
A CD is read-only until Burning Software is used to burn data to the CD. If the virus contains its own CD burning software built into it, it can easily spread itself through recordable CD's. Personally, I haven't heard of such a virus before and only an advanced virus will be able to do this. Yet, it remains a possibility.
Still I feel the safest way to transfer the files is to burn them to a CD (I recommend a rewritable one, so that you can use it several times if it is not big enough for all the files you want to transfer)
2007-05-19 12:50:28 · answer #1 · answered by cppgenius 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For your information if you copy your old files to a floppy or a disc, the viruses will also be on the new floppy or disc, when you install into your new pc.
If you have state of the art technology related to antivirus program, the software will detect the virus on your floppy or disc and destroy in real time. http://www.filseclab.com
My purchase program destroys the entire file because it is safer then trying to remove one trace virus code.
Think that is better to be penny wise then pound foolish.
Take the time and download your music again onto your new laptop. Don't mess up your new financial investment, because you want the easy way out.
Minddoctor, France
2007-05-19 12:50:02 · answer #2 · answered by MINDDOCTOR 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the type of virus you have, and what files its infected. most virus require you to run an infected file to spread. if your burning them to a cd, scan the cd with the infected computer after its burned, if you find no virus's then it should be ok to put it in the new computer ebcause they can only be transferred to a cd during the burn process.. just scan again on putting it in the new computer.. if you find a virus on the scan, try burning a new cd without the infected file before putting it in the new computer... virus's dont normally target music and text files, but you are more likely to find them in an actual program or dll file..
2007-05-19 12:48:23 · answer #3 · answered by Arianna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's quite apt to. You likely don't know where the original virus came from, so anything that was on your old computer could be suspected as a carrier. Since you have a clean slate now, you'd be better off going through the hassle of downloading -- sorry, but there's no shortcuts.
2007-05-19 12:44:38 · answer #4 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could possible cause problems with your new system. Try not to transfer executable filetypes like. The programs you will have to reload because you can't just transfer entire folders and expect installed apps to work on another computer. If you're just transferring personal data files like images, music, videos they are okay. Just scan any xls, doc, ppt, mdb (MS Office file types), they can contain viruses. If you do just scan them really well before and after the transfer.
2007-05-19 12:41:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi, It depends on the file. If you have Nortan anti virus run a scan and check which files are currupted. The files that are currupted are the ones that will screw up your laptop. And If you don' try getting aol or somethin which comes with free Mcafee virus software. then run a computer check up. same thign as with norton the currupt ones will screw your laptop.
Hope i helped you out.
2007-05-19 12:46:13 · answer #6 · answered by mannyd7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the files you are trying to transfer are infected with the virus to be safe i would just download them instead of having to buy another new computer/laptop and having to download them then instead of being out a computer and money for a new one i would play it safe and take the hour or so and download them instead of tranferring the files
2007-05-19 12:46:03 · answer #7 · answered by shawns_baby_061106 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let's put it this way, do you know what files on the old machine are infected, if not then how would you know which ones NOT to move to the new machine.
Now if you know what files on the old machine are infected then why not just delete them and be rid of the virus.
If you move anything you dont know about --- you'll infect the new machine.. Best solution DONT MOVE THEM.
2007-05-19 12:43:08 · answer #8 · answered by Tracy L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
any programs and word files need to be scanned with an up to date anti-virus program befor transfering to your new computer. You also should have antivirus software installed on your neew computer before adding and transfering new data- I reccommend Kaspersky
2007-05-19 12:41:09 · answer #9 · answered by crawfordceramics 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Run full virus scan before transferring the files.Then run full virus, spybot scans after transfer, just to be sure.
2007-05-19 12:53:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋