Virus or hard drive failure?

[vixxen318]

The computer (Windows 98 SE) was working fine and was left unattended (offline) for a half hour or so. Then it suddenly restarted itself. When I logged in as the usual user all the files I had on the desktop and all the settings, etc that were custamized had disappeared. The colors are all messed up. AOL crashes whenever I click anything after signing on. Everything else seems to work okay. It appears as though the Desktop and its contents don't change whether I log in as a user or not, which should not be the case.

I have tried searching (both manually & through find file) for the files I had on the desktop which are now gone. I ran Ad-Aware, AVG virus scan, Norton Virus Scan and Panda Online Virus scan (all of which are up-to-date and have been able to find whatever problems I had in the past)...all came up empty. I tried running ScanDisk. It didn't find any errors in its standard check. I tried running the thorough check but it keeps restarting. I used Ctrl+Alt+Delete to shut off everything except Systray & Explorer. I even tried running it while the computer was in safe mode....so far nothing.

Is there anything else out there that I can do, to if not fix the situation, at least recover the missing files (Word documents, mp3's, etc) to save them to another computer? You guys have really helped me out in the past. I hope you can do the same this time

[baxterd]

If it's not a HDD problem, there would be no problem with installing the HDD in a new computer to recover the files provided they havent been deleted.

[harry12]

Originally Posted by baxterd

If it's not a HDD problem, there would be no problem with installing the HDD in a new computer to recover the files provided they havent been deleted.

Yes I agree, HDD's usually makes silly noises before they croak. ( like a door-latch in my experience, it's probably the head crashing (thrashing) about and then a month or so later it's unreadable, won't start-up etc.

Previous poster looks to have a virus, but am surprised it could restart the PC ( mine needs the Power Switch pressed and that leaves no power on the PC so it can't be working (or waiting). Maybe it was in standby, or just pretended to switch off.

However, the point I'd like to make is to be careful any virus doesn't escape with the files! For this reason it would be better to transfer "work files" to an old HDD (as slave) and regard content as suspicious. If you then solve your virus problem then scan the "slave".
Oh dear, it's too complicated, isn't it? (and I'm not a virus expert- perhaps you should consult the internet BEFORE you use the computer again.)
/
Just goes to show that Viruses like failing HDD's have to be thwarted - by regular saving work on a cd - they are cheap enough and can be made write once.
FWIW I keep a copy on the PC HDD (of each filing CD) + and a copy on an old HDD - these can be bought from PC Fairs cheaply - although if you "up-grade" your used HDD is likely to be more reliable.
Ideally "spare HDD's" should be "in" something, even a plastic drawer-unit - - - this is because it is SHOCK that destroys them and the larger the mass (of HDD+Housing), the less shock the heads will receive.
If you have plastic drawer-units, replace the slide-on plastic covers with punched steel - more weight and ventilation is free.
Regards.