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Use Linux to Scan Unusable Windows Drives for Viruses

Posted by Scott_Ruecker on · 7 comments
lifehacker; By Whitson Gordon
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Often, even if we do catch a virus, it's not so difficult to eradicate it using installed anti-virus—but if your system has been crippled, try using Linux to scan the drive for viruses instead. As any Linux veteran knows, one of Linux's greatest uses is fixing unbootable drives—recovering files, deleting files, and even killing viruses. For those of you that aren't quite as well-versed in Linux, technology blog gHacks has a tutorial for doing just that, though we recommend a few tweaks to their process.

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Comments (7)

Quoting:As any Linux veteran knows, one of Linux's greatest uses is fixing unbootable drives—recovering files, deleting files, and even killing viruses
Hey it works really well for it. I did an internship and using linux tools like trk was a breeze.
I'm sure it does, but it's hardly the greatest use for Linux.
Quoting: [...] but it's hardly the greatest use for Linux.
I respectfully disagree. Look it makes my job easier as a shill and fattens, at least, the amount line even if most bounce. Moreover, I can cite Linux's compatibility [and fervent support for ...] with Windows.

Where's the harm?

YBT
As any Linux veteran knows, one of Linux's greatest uses is fixing unbootable drives—recovering files, deleting files, and even killing viruses.

If you're a Windows addict/victim this probably is the most accurate description of the uses of Linux. It is what Windows afflicted people see happening with Linux when they encounter a samaritan friend who helps them revive their dead Windows.

The author commingled what Linux veterans do with Linux to save Windows, with what perception the Windows users get from these actions.

My greatest use of Linux is keeping Microsoft out of my life as much as possible. My year of the Linux Desktop was 2000 (after Windows rehab). No malware, no flaky drivers, great ease of use, excellent support.

The only thing bugging me is firmware updates. Doesn't matter if the manufacturer is Linux friendly or hostile, in 99% of the cases the darn device needs to be hooked up to Windows to update the flashrom.
Quoting:in 99% of the cases the darn device needs to be hooked up to Windows to update the flashrom.
The Asus EeePC has a winning strategy there. One only needs the update image downloaded from their site, copied to a FAT16 filesystem on a thumb drive. Reboot, press Alt-F2 during the BIOS splash screen, and wait. Voila, no WindOS needed.
The Asus EeePC has a winning strategy there. True. So is updating their O!Play dgital mediaplayer.

It's the smart phones, the navigation devices, MP3 players and the likes. What bugs me most are the Linux devices who need Windos to update their Linux software. TomTom, HTC Android phones. Utterly ridiculous, but hey, the sheeple can't use Linux... Maybe they don't because they can't update their Linux gadgets with it?

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