View Full Version : Computer Question???
KI4UTM
01-20-2009, 02:03 AM
I am junking out an extra old computer. It has had a virus. And has been abandoned for quite some time now. Anyways, help me out.. Can I take the ram out for another. Or will the virus follow? Can the ram be affected? Or is that impossable. I didn't think viruses were in the ram/memory. Just the files in the hard drive. Am I close??
K2ENG
01-20-2009, 02:08 AM
Ram will not be affected. You can transfer it.
As long as the newer computer accepts the same type of ram (DIMM or SDRAM, etc) on the motherboard, your old RAM will work fine.
You could also still use the old computer and just format the hard drive and re-install your operating system (unless you dont want to do that).
KA5ROW
01-20-2009, 02:09 AM
No Virus can not follow the ram "ever" you are safe. :D
KI4UTM
01-20-2009, 02:20 AM
It is an old system and I have no discs for it. I think someone loaned me an operating system ;) when I first put it together a few years back. I was going to use it for logging ham contacts. And it is our third machine. We have moved to newer and better for everyday use. Kinda abandoned it.... I personally was going to round up a laptop for logging. And go back into a portable setup... Thanks to all for the replies...
As an aside, if you want to dispose of old computers and other electronic gear, Staples will now accept them but will charge a modest processing fee to do so. I paid $10 to have them take my old Win98 machine; $10 is a small price to pay to keep all the heavy metals and junk from leaching out of our local landfill and into our water supply!
KI4UTM
01-20-2009, 02:44 AM
My wife would like if I did that. I'm a collector.... Parts and pieces into boxes until the next project arises. Or a new frankenstein project starts. The last 2 I put together myself. From parts and pieces saved aside. It is fun to toy around with old comp stuff. :D
AB8RO
01-20-2009, 03:26 AM
It's best to wash the ram in hot soapy water then wrap it in a blanket and allow it to rest for three to five days before putting it in the new computer.
KI4UTM
01-20-2009, 03:28 AM
A joke , right....
KB0VSV
01-20-2009, 10:55 AM
A joke , right....
Yes, he jumps from forum to forum making silly comments and is an atheist.
I don't think he is very intelligent. It's important to him that others think he is smart though.
Yes, he jumps from forum to forum making silly comments and is an atheist.
I don't think he is very intelligent. It's important to him that others think he is smart though.
Really?
He in fact IS pretty smart, you could learn a thing or two from him.
BTW - what does being an atheist have to do with anything?
You are safe moving the ram, video card or any other hardware component you might want to reuse, virus are held on the hard drive/removable media exclusively.
If you are going to use that hard drive again be sure to rewrite the boot sector to make sure it is clean, boot from a READ ONLY disk to do this or you will just infect it as well. Then do a full format on it after rebooting from the same READ ONLY disk to clean it off.
Only after this is done can you reinstall the OS safely.
WA6MHZ
01-20-2009, 01:59 PM
The RAM is probably safe, but it would be a good idea to spray copious amounts of RAID in the chassis. Probably a spider or 2 that has taken up house in there.
WB3JLA
01-20-2009, 02:03 PM
It's best to wash the ram in hot soapy water then wrap it in a blanket and allow it to rest for three to five days before putting it in the new computer.
Hold on you forgot to rinse it in SCOTCH
Hold on you forgot to rinse it in SCOTCH
Not just any Scotch either mind you, make sure it's as old or older than you or it won't work.
AF6LJ
01-20-2009, 02:27 PM
The soap thingy is a joke, and funny I might add.
But you might be interested in Googling ..
Cold boot attack
Though I don't think it applies here because your old box has been off for a long time, you still might find this interesting.
:)