Formatting all HDDS and re Installing OS (I think I have a virus)

[zarlaha]

Hi all,

Im just wondering what is the best way to do this. I am going to format all my HDDS and SSD's in my computer and start from scratch, I have never done this before and I think now would be the perfect time due to either having a virus or some strange performance issue I can't get rid of.

WHAT I HAVE DONE SO FAR:
Booted into windows disk
Deleted all 4 of my HDDS and my SSD
Reinstalled OS on SSD
Now formatting my other 4 HDDS in windows


Have I done this correctly and removed any virus I may have had?

My major concern is the my SSD which my OS is installed on, deleted that then re installed the OS VIA the windows disk, but it all happened so much faster then the time it has taken to reformat the other HDDS.

Have I done this the right way or was there a better way to do?
Do I need to go back and do anything again?
Should this solve any issues with a potential virus?

Cheers smile.gif

 

[LukeFatwalker]

Re-installing the OS and formatting the drives is the 'Nuke it from orbit' option. It will almost assuredly wipe the virus off the machine if it is indeed a virus. There's a small chance that it spreads throughout the network, but that isn't a guarantee so perhaps wait and see.

There's better ways to solve a virus infection. The best way would be to have a backup in place. On my own personal computer I use RollBack Rx and Drive Cloner Rx both work well to restore a machine, so you might want to research those. Other programs like Macrium Reflect and Comodo Time Machine also function similarly and can be extremely helpful.

In summary, sounds like you are in the clear RE: virus. Just make sure you run a backup and keep an eye on devices connected to the same network to see if anything else shows up.