Virus?

[[JiF]KellysHero]

I'm updating my cousin's old computer, A Gateway PIII 1.2 ghz, 128 megs of ram, 20 gig hard drive. I have cousin #2's old gateway that I'm about to toss, but salvage the 256 megs of ram and the 10 gig hard drive from it. As picky as memory can go, it actually worked with the old 128 meg stick!

Since I only have Win XP Pro and cousin #1 couldn't find his discs for XP Home, I load up Win2K. For whatever reason I couldn't format the hard drive (it wouldn't even start the format). So I pull the 10 gig hard drive from cousin #2's old computer put it in Cousin #1's computer and install over top of it. All went well (although I didn't actually format the hd, simply copied over it so the old programs were there).
Find most all the drivers from Gateways site (bit of a pain) and all is well.

I was able to format the original 20 gig hard drive, it just took forever to actually do, and I made that a data drive. My cousin picks up the system, is impressed with the little boost the extra ram and cleaning everything up did and he's happy...

He has a DSL connection, but no router/firewall of his modem. The only thing he said he downloaded was drivers/software for his HP printer (and I walked him through the website to find the drivers). Now some mIRC program is starting up, and he gets this small box popup saying he may have a virus. If you X out the box, another pop's up, got like 30 of them, Finally hitting OK on all of them and they went away. And when I use the <ctrl> and try and bring up the task list, the window gets minimized immediately and then closed. Can't even get a look at it. This all happened after it was out of my possession. I had connected to the internet with it using my router/firewall and don't have the effects on my system.

Should I just do a real format and reinstall or try and find the problem with some anti-virus program? If I connect to the same router as my home system, is it likely my computer will get the same virus?

[[JiF]Timmay!]

I've seen a number of reports that an unprotected PC (no firewall, not even a software one) that's connected to the 'net can become infected in under a minute. Other reports say it's 5 minutes, some say 10.

You can get dsl/cable routers with built-in firewalls for $60 (BestBuy) or maybe a bit less if you shop around. Very recommended.

Should I just do a real format and reinstall or try and find the problem with some anti-virus program? If I connect to the same router as my home system, is it likely my computer will get the same virus?

Depends on what he's infected with and how good & up-to-date your protection is. If you've been good (ie, paranoid) you might be okay. If not, you could be toast. Not worth the risk, IMO - I'd reformat/reinstall his machine from behind your router with your other PC(s) shut down. He's still vunerable when he takes it home if he doesn't have protection, though.

[[JiF]KellysHero]

Well I borrowed a copy of XP and formated the hd drive and did a clean install. All is well. Going to drop the system off today but first a quick run to Best Buy for a router with firewall.

Time to hijack my own thread.

My same cousin is opening a restaurant and wants to make it a Wi-Fi hot spot. He has a DSL connection, does he need any special sort of wireless router? Right now I'm just going to get him a basic non-wireless router, unless there's a good deal. The computer he's using will also be connected to the DSL, what sort of protection will he need for that? It's definitely out of my scope, maybe a professional will be needed?

Also, what program do I need to use to make a copy of XP? My cousin has a legal keycode, but can't find his discs

[[JiF]Ziggy]

If you want to do it on the cheap, get a Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GS, the Linux version. You have to watch the model numbers any more (there are many). You want the Linux one (I think they have one they advertise that way). You can replace the firmware with other open source firmware, some of which has features specifically for hot spots.

There is also firmware for the WRV54G that will make you a node on the Boingo network of wireless hotspots.

While looking for some more info, I saw this stuff from Sputnik that looks pretty cool.

I've don't have any direct experience with this software or these companies, just a passing familiarity from hacking my own Linksys box

[[JiF][AARP]Grimp]

Hey Zig what was that one you can get the router from for $25 all set up if you share ?