Solved: Trying to Delete Windows File

[leachim]

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

 

[DoubleHelix]

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?

 

[leachim]

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.......

 

[DoubleHelix]

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

 

[leachim]

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

Any idea why the file cant be deleted ?

 

[DoubleHelix]

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.

 

[leachim]

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

ERROR - input/output error

Done
There were errors

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......

 

[nickgr5]

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).

 

[leachim]

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....

 

[TerryNet]

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

Gparted: menu - System - GParted partition manager. Probably also Pdisk partition manager, but I have never tried it.