Spyware/virus removal question

[KeithP]

Here is my question, assume you have a Windows XP install that is infected with some sort of malware: Are removal tools more effective if they are run from a clean system instead of trying to work within the infected install?

In other words, if I take the infected drive out of the computer, attached it to some sort of external USB adapter, then connect it to a clean system and attempt cleaning it from there, does it work better because you aren't running from the infected XP install?

I am guessing the answer probably isn't "yes" or "no". Probably more like "it depends." Just wondering.

-KeithP

 

[Azaran]

Sometimes it'll help clean somethings, others it'll ignore, it'll depend on the malware. I know I always prefer doing virus scans from either a bootable cd or a clean system. Check out some of the bootable projects like Ultimate Boot CD for Windows, great tools to work from if you don't have access to a clean system.

 

[KeithP]

Thanks...I will check out UBCD.

-KeithP