Checking HDD for virus and formatting with Vista

I have a 320GB WD hard drive from my 'OTHER' computer. The mobo on the
other computer died (current assumptions are either bad power supply or
virus).

I have a new HP computer with Vista 64 Home Premium.

I just purchased a hard drive enclosure and my plan is to take the WD
hard drive from the other computer and scan it for viruses using my new
computer, transfer files I want to keep on my new computer, completely
re-format the drive, and then use that drive as a back-up.

For AVS I have Eset NOD32. I also ordered Acronis 11 to create my
backup.

Questions:
If I plug this drive in (using USB2.0) is there a way to ensure that
NOD32 scans it for viruses immediately prior to allowing any transfer?

What is the best way to format the hard disk using Vista? Is it as
simply as right clicking on the drive and hitting a "format disc"
option?

Thanks


--
rena03sb

rena03sb wrote:

>
> I have a 320GB WD hard drive from my 'OTHER' computer. The mobo on the
> other computer died (current assumptions are either bad power supply or
> virus).
>
> I have a new HP computer with Vista 64 Home Premium.
>
> I just purchased a hard drive enclosure and my plan is to take the WD
> hard drive from the other computer and scan it for viruses using my new
> computer, transfer files I want to keep on my new computer, completely
> re-format the drive, and then use that drive as a back-up.
>
> For AVS I have Eset NOD32. I also ordered Acronis 11 to create my
> backup.
>
> Questions:
> If I plug this drive in (using USB2.0) is there a way to ensure that
> NOD32 scans it for viruses immediately prior to allowing any transfer?
>
> What is the best way to format the hard disk using Vista? Is it as
> simply as right clicking on the drive and hitting a "format disc"
> option?

When you plug the old drive in its USB enclosure into a USB port on your new
computer, nothing is going to run. Just plug it in and give it a thorough
scan with NOD32. BTW, while Windows can be rendered inoperable by a virus,
a virus would not have physically damaged the drive. If you have any
questions about the physical viability of the drive, it is a simple matter
to run a diagnostic on it. Since it will be connected by USB, you can even
do it from within Windows. Check at the hard drive mftr.'s website for a
utility. Not all of the mftrs. have Windows utilities but some of them,
like Seagate, do.

Yes, it is as simple as right-clicking on the drive in Vista and choosing
your format option. The quick option is fine, especially if you've already
tested the drive with the diagnostic utility.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

"rena03sb" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> I have a 320GB WD hard drive from my 'OTHER' computer. The mobo on the
> other computer died (current assumptions are either bad power supply or
> virus).
>
> I have a new HP computer with Vista 64 Home Premium.
>
> I just purchased a hard drive enclosure and my plan is to take the WD
> hard drive from the other computer and scan it for viruses using my new
> computer, transfer files I want to keep on my new computer, completely
> re-format the drive, and then use that drive as a back-up.
>
> For AVS I have Eset NOD32. I also ordered Acronis 11 to create my
> backup.
> Questions:
> If I plug this drive in (using USB2.0) is there a way to ensure that
> NOD32 scans it for viruses immediately prior to allowing any transfer?
> What is the best way to format the hard disk using Vista? Is it as
> simply as right clicking on the drive and hitting a "format disc"
> option?
>
> Thanks
> --
> rena03sb

Regardless of what is actually on the drive, if you install it as a slave
drive or external drive (so long as it is not the boot drive) nothing from
that drive will run at startup unless you tell it to.
Once it is connected and recognized, you can scan it with whatever AV you
have available.

Thanks for the replies. I'll check out Western Digitals website for
utility to check the drive especially since I want to use it as
backup with Acronis

--
rena03sb