conficker & my external backup drive

[julia]

My T60 is being wiped clean this week and all my documents are backed up on a 250G Passport external drive. I understand the virus can hide in these. I've been keeping all my docs on the drive, using it to store them rather than on the computer -- it's easy, portable, and I thought, the docs would be safe from viruses there. Can anyone tell me how I can make sure the drive is clean before I start using it again on my newly formatted computer?

Also, I'd like to install the new EsetNod32 Security System but am not sure Norton will let me -- or how to remove Norton. Any advice here?

Thanks!

[carbon_unit]

You will need to remove Norton before you can install Eset.
Go to Control Panel, Add remove programs, click Norton and click remove, reboot, install Eset.
After you install Eset, scan you external drive to see if it is clean or not.

[basketb]

A couple of suggestions:
1. Before you uninstall Norton, use it to scan the external HD.
2. Before you uninstall Norton and install any other anti-virus program, disconnect the Ethernet cable and disable the wireless so that the computer does not have any connection to the outside. Enable wireless/connect the Ethernet cable only after you've checked the external HD.

[carbon_unit]

Good suggestions basketb.

[julia]

Thanks. Maybe I'll just live with Norton. I have it now on this Vaio and it's doing okay. I uninstalled it from a friend's computer who'd bought McAfee. Many problems and McAfee said Norton's uninstall doesn't get all of it. So they're sending a disc to clean out the system. But if it will check my external drive, I might just stay with it. I assume you have to order the Eset discs; or do you download it with Norton on the machine?

P.S. Who are you rooting for in the playoffs, basketb? I'm from UNC...

[GomJabbar]

If you want to remove Norton, then here you go...
Download and run the Norton Removal Tool

[basketb]

Thanks. Maybe I'll just live with Norton. I have it now on this Vaio and it's doing okay. I uninstalled it from a friend's computer who'd bought McAfee. Many problems and McAfee said Norton's uninstall doesn't get all of it. So they're sending a disc to clean out the system. But if it will check my external drive, I might just stay with it. I assume you have to order the Eset discs; or do you download it with Norton on the machine?

P.S. Who are you rooting for in the playoffs, basketb? I'm from UNC...

The first thing I do when I get a new Thinkpad or reinstall the factory image, is removing the supplied Norton suit and install my own. So far, I never had a problem uninstalling Norton.
One thing to keep in mind with the preinstalled Norton is that at some point (after 90 days?) you will need to purchase the subscription for it.
I am not familiar with Eset but the most convenient thing probably is to download it, if possible (and yes, have Norton running while the machine is on and connected).

P.S. I am actually not rooting for any team, my user name stems from the fact that I like to play ball rather than watching it.

[GomJabbar]

I know that Symantec Norton consumer AV has historically been slammed on these forums, but AV-Comparatives shows it to be one of the best these days.
http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Symantec Norton AV
Advanced + rating
High detection rate.
Few false positives.
Fast scanning.

According to AV-Comparatives, the 4 top-rated consumer AV programs currently are:
Symantec Norton Anti-Virus
ESET Nod32 Antivirus
Kaspersky Anti-Virus
McAfee VirusScan Plus

[RealBlackStuff]

Check out these Eset Nod32 prices: Retail box $29.95, OEM (CD only) $19.95
I buy from them:
http://store.purplus.net/noanve301.html

[sparta.rising]

I vote Kaspersky all the way. It would always do the job when other antivirus programs failed when I worked in IT.