Linux, Windows and viruses

[brassmonkey001]

I've installed Linux Ubuntu on my Acer machine and AFAIAA I have written over Windows during the installation (I may be wrong).
Before going the way of Linux I tried a clean install of Windows a couple of times but with no success.
I don't know what was buggering up Windows but is it now gone? The virus or whatever, I mean?
Should I download some virus & malware software to scan the machine now it is working again?


TIA

 

[(RIP) DitchWater]

I've installed Linux Ubuntu on my Acer machine and AFAIAA I have written over Windows during the installation.

You are not using Windaz any longer and the Ubuntu installation should have taken all of the resources your machine had to offer and claimed its' HDD as well; unless you told it otherwise.

Should I download some virus & malware software to scan the machine now it is working again?


TIA

Only if you want to, and it's probably worth it since you're working on the machine.

 

[stolzy]

You are not using Windaz any longer and the Ubuntu installation should have taken all of the resources your machine had to offer and claimed its' HDD as well; unless you told it otherwise.




Only if you want to, and it's probably worth it since you're working on the machine.

I know little of windows viruses, but I thought they could hide in the disc boot sector?

 

[brassmonkey001]

You are not using Windaz any longer and the Ubuntu installation should have taken all of the resources your machine had to offer and claimed its' HDD as well; unless you told it otherwise.




Only if you want to, and it's probably worth it since you're working on the machine.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of Linux derived antivirus software available...

So, assuming that the installation of Ubuntu has written over everything that was there before then it should be safe to re-install Windows? Unless there are problems in the boot disc sector as Stolzy says?

 

[(RIP) DitchWater]

I know little of windows viruses, but I thought they could hide in the disc boot sector?

It's true but they can be cleaned with free software which can be downloaded as a bootdisk.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of Linux derived antivirus software available...

So, assuming that the installation of Ubuntu has written over everything that was there before then it should be safe to re-install Windows? Unless there are problems in the boot disc sector as Stolzy says?

I think Windows, and other operating systems, overwrite the master boot record when they are installed but, I don't think this will cure a disguised virus hiding on your boot sector SYS files. What I would do is run a complete formatting and partioning tool and then reinstall your chosen operating system.

THIS page could be a good starting point.