Part of Lesson Plan: GEEK to the Rescue!

Activity Overview / Details

In this instance, the perceived problem is a virus on the client computer. But, just to makes sure it isn't a fan gone bad or too much dust in the computer, you check for that, first, since symptoms are similar. The client computer 'cannot' get onto the internet and has other problems. You can discuss the possibilities with the class. I have found most often than clients believe their antivirus program has been updated and most of the time, it has never been renewed or was rarely updated. This step, while time-consuming, is the last step I take before totally reformatting the hard drive. I will do a restoration after I scan the drive if the scan doesn't turn up anything, but I like to try this step to see if I can preserve data (because, you know the client never has backup!)

The steps I take to do this part are (alternative 1 - see alternative 2 below):

1) take out a usb to ide/sata adapter. It is not an external drive bay (although I have used those before but you must purchase one for each type of hard drive). With the adapter, there is no drive bay - the adapter connects to the hard drive with a cable and a USB cable on the other end. It is also connected to a power source. (See picture of USB adapter.)

2) take out hard drive of troubled computer and turn on 'good' computer.

3) connect hard drive to USB adapter. I usually use a laptop for my 'good' computer but a desktop is fine, too. Make sure you have an up-to-date antivirus on your good machine. I like McAfee but it is my personal preference.

4) after connecting the hard drive up to the adapter and electrical source, I plug the usb connector into the good computer. The computer will sense it as another drive. Do not access the drive. Instead, right click on the drive letter and scan it. Your good computer's antiviral program will scan the drive and you will be surprised at what it finds. This is the time-consuming part of the demo. It may take some time to do this. Be prepared.

5) If the scan is successful in finding viruses and the like, you can reinstall the drive once it has finished the scan. See if the computer will boot up and possibly behave enough to get online to update the antivirus program. From there, software can be updated, other software that has issues can be removed and/or reinstalled, and this step just may be enough to get your client up and running. If it still does not work enough to get it up and running (and online) there are other issues and a restoration or full formatting may be in order. Sometimes, there are mechanical issues (computer turns off soon after starting up (heat issue)) or the like. That is for another lesson. This lesson was just to model the use of the external adapter for scanning.