Solved: Trying to Delete Windows File

Using Puppy Linux on CD Bootable Disk to erase suspect virus on a usb drive

Just comes back with red writing

"There were errors"

I am usually successful with this - just wondered if there was a work around

 

You're trying to remove a virus from a USB drive? What makes you think the drive has a virus? Why are you using Linux to read it instead of Windows?

 

Some viruses will infect a usb stick when plugged into an infected machine

Typical files are Autorun.inf, Recycler and Copy of Shortcut .ink files

Something in the Recycler folder won't delete

I am not using windows to delete it because of possible reinfection

eg - I did a fresh install of XP - then used the usb drive to add a few programs - ended up infecting the computer and had to reinstall over again.......

 

Is there a reason you can't just wipe out the flash drive?

 

Ha - its got loads of other stuff on it.....

Any idea why the file cant be deleted ?

 

I don't know what file you're trying to delete or what operation you're trying to perform.

If I thought my flash drive had a virus, and I had important data on it I hadn't backed up, I'd get off everything I could and then wipe it.

 

There are 2 files in the Recycler Folder that wont delete - one .exe and a .cpl file

They are displayed as an orange triangle with an exclamation mark in

When trying to delete, it says

Yes, it is probably a good idea to copy everything off, except the virus and wipe the stick

Just wondered if anyone knew why these files would not delete, thats all......

 

Have you used the file manager to format the whole drive? Don't just try to delete these two files, format the whole drive (use FAT32 or ext4).

 

Thanks

I copied off all the info minus the suspect files using an external hard drive

Then formated the drive using a windows boot disk

Then copied back the info I saved

I couldn't find how to format under Puppy....