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Forums › Microsoft Windows › Windows XP Drivers Folder


23 posts

Geek
Topic # 16055 22-Sep-2007 12:04 Send private message

Hey guys,

Im just about to reboot my grandfathers dell pc for him, and the only cd i have is the dell windows cd that came with the pc. My grandfather has lost all other cds that came with it.

Im just wanting to know if you guys know where the windows drivers folder is loctated. I not able to tell because this computer is so affected with viruses is not funny no more, The visus has made changes to the registry so that i cant even access the properties, or use the control panel any more. It some how changes the account to be restricted!

So any idea's? I think I know where the folder is kept but I just want some opinions from pro's before I go and wipe the computer and then relise that i hadnt backed up a important windows driver.

Thanks

From
jesso568667

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156 posts

Master Geek
  Reply # 87651 22-Sep-2007 12:26 Send private message

Not too expert, here. The drivers are mostly in C:\Windows\System and ~system32\drivers.
If the computer is that riddled with malware, its fairly likely that some of the contents of the driver folder are malwares themselves, or have been contaminated with same.
When you say "reboot" I'm guessing you mean re-install?
If it's that bad, you're probably best to do a format and full re install. You'll lose all downloaded programs, updates, and data. I don't know much about this procedure, and there are associated procedures to return the BIOS to default and clean the memory, if required. Some malware can affect these, I've read.
Should you want to back the data up, be very aware that some of it could contain malware, too.

[EDIT] also see this post re backed-up data and restoring it to a cleaned machine. http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=45&TopicId=15973&page_no=1#87580

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