AVG RESCUE CD User Manual

AVG Rescue CD for Windows

User Manual

Document revision 85.2 (7.4.2009)

This product contains Windows software licensed from Microsoft Corporation and/or MS Affiliate(s). The Microsoft Windows Preinstallation Environment software included with this software may be used for boot, diagnostic, setup, restoration, installation, configuration, test or disaster recovery purposes only. This software contains a security feature that will cause end user's system to reboot without prior notification to the end user after 24 hours of continuous use. This product uses RSA Data Security, Inc. MD5 Message-Digest Algorithm, Copyright (c) 1991-2, RSA Data Security, Inc. Created 1991. This product uses code from C-SaCzech library, Copyright (c) 1996-2001 Jaromir Dolecek (dolecek@ics.muni.cz). This product uses compression library libbzip2, Copyright (c) 1996-2002 Julian R. Seward. This product uses compression library zlib, Copyright (c) 1995-2002 Jean-loup Gailly and Mark Adler. This product contains freeCommander software, Copyright (c) 2004 Marek Jasinski.

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Installation and Startup

3. After Startup

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1.1 Notice to users

1.2 Basic description of the AVG Rescue CD

1.3 AVG Rescue CD key features

1.4 Minimum requirements – operating systems supported

1.5 Minimum hardware requirements

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2.1 How to obtain the AVG Rescue CD and license file

2.2 Differences between downloadable and standalone AVG Rescue CD

2.3 How to download and create the AVG Rescue CD

2.4 How to create the AVG Rescue CD - burning ISO image

2.5 When should the AVG Rescue CD be used

2.6 Before installation

2.7 AVG Rescue CD startup and installation

2.8 AVG Rescue CD Update Wizard

2.9 How to recognize network adapter drivers

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4. AVG Rescue CD – Main Screen

5. Scans Overview

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4.1 Menu File

4.2 Menu Components

4.3 Menu History

4.4 Menu Tools

4.5 Menu Help

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4.3.1 Scan Results

4.3.2 Virus Vault

4.3.3 Event history log

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5.1 Scan Whole Computer

5.2 Scan Specific FIles or Folders

5.3 Scan Results

5.4 Scan Results Details

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5.4.1 Results Overview Tab

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5.4.2 Infections Tab

5.4.3 Spyware Tab

5.4.4 Warnings Tab

5.4.5 Information Tab

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6. AVG Rescue CD Tools

7. FAQ and Technical Support

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6.1 AVG Command line

6.2 freeCommander

6.3 Map network drive

6.4 AVG Registry editor

6.5 AVG Ping

6.6 AVG Scan disk

6.7 AVG Notepad

6.8 AVG IP Config

6.9 AVG Keyboard

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This User Manual provides complete overview of the usage and features provided by the AVG Rescue CD for Windows.

Introduction

1.1. Notice to users

We strongly recommend that only well experienced computer users with advanced computer knowledge use the AVG Rescue CD. The AVG Rescue CD is distributed as a bootable device that allows you to access operating system settings and all computer data. Incorrect manipulation of the operating system or its resources may result in partial or even complete loss of system stability and functionality or important data loss.

If you decide to use the AVG Rescue CD, first, backup all your valuable data that resides inside your computer. Ideally use some portable device for storing backups, like CD/DVD disk(s), diskette(s), USB Flash disk or similar external device.

1.2. Basic description of the AVG Rescue CD

The AVG Rescue CD is basically a portable variant of AVG based on the Windows PE platform. It is distributed as a bootable CD intended for operating system recovery in such an event where the system cannot be loaded in the regular way – for example due to substantial virus infection. Initially the AVG Rescue CD will load the temporary operating system Windows PE edition and run AVG, which can be then used in the usual way for virus detection and removal.

In addition, administration tools are available for advanced users. The complete list of features can be found below.

1.3. AVG Rescue CD key features

The AVG Rescue CD offers the following key features:

· Running of AVG from an alternative Windows environment.

· Detection of threats located on drives and in the Windows system registry.

· Possibility of updating AVG virus base from a local AVG installation, hard

drive, directly through Internet-enabled LAN, or an external source (flash drive etc.).

· AVG Command Line utility to execute various system operations.

· freeCommander is an alternative to the standard windows file manager

intended for more IT-experienced users.

· Map network drive utility to quickly and easily map a network drive.

· AVG Registry editor tool for system registry processing.

· AVG IP Config tool for managing network settings.

· AVG Ping utility for testing the availability of network resources (servers,

domains, IP addresses)

· AVG Scan Disk tool for analyzing and testing hard disk integrity with optional

automatic error correction.

· Simple AVG Notepad utility for saving notes, editing system files etc.

· Direct screen resolution change.

1.4. Minimum requirements – operating systems supported

The AVG Rescue CD can be used for recovering the following operating systems:

· MS Windows 2000 SP4 + Update Rollup pack 1

· MS Windows XP

· MS Windows XP Pro x64 Edition

· MS Windows 2000 Server

· MS Windows 2003 Server

· MS Windows 2003 Server x64 Edition

Also, it is necessary that the computer’s BIOS will allow direct booting from the CD/ DVD, (for correct CD/DVD startup) and that the computer has at least 256 MB of RAM memory installed. Finally, a CD-ROM/DVD-ROM or compatible device must be installed in the computer.

1.5. Minimum hardware requirements

Minimum hardware requirements are as follows:

· Intel Pentium CPU 1,2 GHz

· 550 MB of free hard drive space (for ISO creation)

· 256 MB of RAM memory

· 60 MB free hard drive space for temporary files.

Installation and Startup

2.1. How to obtain the AVG Rescue CD and license file

You can acquire the AVG Rescue CD either from your local AVG software distributor, or by downloading it as a RAR archive, creating an ISO image afterwards and then burning it to CD yourself.

Note: If you have obtained a regular AVG Rescue CD from your local AVG distributor (or any other way), you may want to check AVG website for potential updates.

The distributed AVG Rescue CD does not contain a license number. To obtain the license number, contact your AVG distributor or use the contact information/ registration form available on the www.avg.com website.

After the registration process, you will receive your license file by e-mail (avgelc. dat). Then you have two options how to proceed:

a) Create a brand new AVG Rescue CD by using the AVG Rescue CD Creator

utility, and using the new license file (see chapter 2.3 How to download and

create the AVG Rescue CD).

b) If you already have the AVG Rescue CD, and you do not want to create a

new one, put the avgelc.dat file onto some (removable) device such as a floppy disk, USB flash disk, hard drive etc., restart the computer you are going to repair and boot from the AVG Rescue CD.

Note: Make sure, that the drive you will put the avgelc.dat file on, will be accessible from the computer on which you are booting with the AVG Rescue CD.

Once the AVG Rescue CD has started, a notification dialog will be displayed asking for the path to the avgelc.dat license file.

Note: If you store the license file on a USB Flash disk or another USB compatible device, it is essential that this device is already inserted and switched on before you start the AVG Rescue CD (ideally even before you start the computer).

If you decide to download the RAR archive and burn the CD yourself, visit this website address www.avg.com/ww.download?prd=rcd to download the current version. For specific instructions on how to proceed in this particular case, see

chapter 2.3. If you wish to learn more about standalone versus downloadable AVG

Rescue CD versions, please see chapter 2.2.

2.2. Differences between downloadable and standalone AVG Rescue CD

To ensure maximum compatibility with target computers, AVG Rescue CD is distributed in two different variations.

· Standalone AVG Rescue CD

This CD can be obtained from your local AVG distributor or any other way.

Basically it means, that AVG Rescue CD will (after boot-up) need to create a temporary AVG_Rescue_Temp folder, with approximately 60 MB, on the hard drive (once you manage to repair your system and boot it up, you can delete this temporary folder).

· Downloadable version of AVG Rescue CD

This version can be created as the standalone version mentioned above simply from a downloaded archive with the advantage of several possible customizations (see below).

Note: If you have only standalone AVG Rescue CD, you can still create an optimized version with larger RAM disk. On each AVG Rescue CD is also distributed the RAR archive and AVG Rescue CD creator utility (located in the subdirectory \PROGRAMS\MAKECD\MakeCD.exe), so you can easily proceed to create an additional AVG Rescue CD by following the steps in chapter 2.3.

2.3. How to download and create the AVG Rescue CD

To successfully create the AVG Rescue CD, you will need to follow the steps below.

a) If you have not done so yet, buy a license for AVG Rescue CD from www.

avg.com or from your local AVG distributor. You should receive the license

file (avgelc.dat) via e-mail.

b) Download the RAR archive with the AVG Rescue CD file structure available

from www.avg.com/ww.download?prd=rcd URL.

You can skip this step, if you prefer to use AVG Rescue CD Creator for RAR archive download (see below).

c) Download the AVG Rescue CD creator (MakeCD.exe) utility to be able to

create a proper ISO image file from the downloaded RAR archive. This utility can also be obtained from URL mentioned above website.

d) Run the AVG Rescue CD creator utility and follow these simple steps below:

(i) You can either use your downloaded RAR archive (by clicking the first

button and selecting the appropriate file), or simply download the latest one directly from the AVG Rescue CD creator utility. We always recommend downloading the newest image, if available.

To download the latest RAR archive, or to check whether your previously downloaded archive or AVG Rescue CD creator is up-to-date, press

the button. A new dialog will come up. If your version of AVG

Rescue CD creator utility is old and a newer version is available, you may see this dialog instead:

By clicking the underlined link, you will open your default Internet browser window and be able to download the updated application. By

clicking the button you can view version history list of the AVG Rescue CD creator utility. We always recommend to download the latest version.

If the application is up to date, you will see this dialog:

The dialog contains list of available images to download.

To download the image file, double click it, or press the Download

button. The download process will begin immediately after you confirm the download location.

Check the Close when downloaded checkbox, if you prefer this dialog to be closed once the download process is finished.

Note: If you experience any trouble with displaying the available AVG Rescue CD images, make sure that your internet connection is currently

available, and that your firewall application does not block network access for the AVG Rescue CD creator. If there is no Internet connection available, or your firewall is blocking the network communication, you may experience an error dialog.

- CRC Checksum Field

Once the RAR archive is opened or downloaded (in AVG Rescue CD Creator), you will see a code in the CRC Checksum section. This checksum serves for a verification of the downloaded RAR archive.

Checksum of a RAR archive downloaded using the AVG Rescue CD Creator is checked automatically and if everything is correct, you

will experience this icon: . In case of any other result, we recommend that you repeat the download process.

If you opened some previously downloaded RAR archive, then you should verify the displayed CRC code with the one, that is displayed

in the list of available images (when clicking button) before you start the ISO creation. Alternatively you can find the code on the AVG website (AVG Rescue CD product pages/Crc File hyperlink). The CRC Checksum will not be checked automatically if the file is opened manually.

The CRC Checksum will be different for every new RAR file version!

(ii) Click the second button to select the obtained license file (avgelc.

dat).

(iii) Click the third button to select an output folder where the ISO

image file will be created.

Note: Make sure, that this folder is empty, before continuing to the next step! Also, you will need at least 550 MB of free space on your hard drive

before you can create the AVG Rescue CD ISO file!

(iv) To specify additional settings, click the button. A new dialog will

appear:

- RAM disk used for online updates section.

Here you can check use RAM disk field, that will allow you to choose between 144 to 1024 MB of RAM disk. Use the slider to

choose the preferred amount.

Note: If you decide to use the RAM disk feature, it is necessary that the target computer on which the AVG Rescue CD will be used contains at least 256 MB of RAM memory + the size of your chosen RAM disk.

The RAM disk is used after AVG Rescue CD boot to store temporary files. For more information on differences between possible versions, please navigate to chapter 2.2.

- External drivers section

As the Windows version on which AVG Rescue CD is built may not contain all network adapter drivers (or their most current versions), you may use this dialog to add your own network adapters drivers. You can also add any other device type drivers, if needed.

Warning: As AVG Rescue CD is built on the 32bit Windows XP SP2 US version, make sure you always use the appropriate 32bit (x86) drivers when adding new ones! Otherwise AVG Rescue CD may become unstable!

If you experience any difficulties starting AVG Rescue CD with custom drivers included, try to re-create the ISO (CD) without these drivers and boot again. If the problems persist and you cannot boot AVG Rescue CD the regular way, please contact AVG technical support.

To find out how to recognize and add your Windows network drivers see chapter 2.9. Alternatively you can use the button, that will

automatically try to find network drivers on your local computer and add them.

Note: Only plug and play enabled devices are supported! Also keep in mind, that adding the drivers does not guarantee that the hardware will work in the AVG Rescue CD environment.

Use the and buttons to add and remove files. To remove or insert multiple files simply select them by using the mouse and pressing the appropriate button. You can use DEL and INS keyboard buttons as well for deleting or adding files in the individual dialog fields.

Files can also be dragged directly to the appropriate fields by using drag & drop Windows functionality, for example from the Windows Explorer dialog window.

In the first field insert only .inf network driver files (located in the C: \WINDOWS\inf folder). The inserted .inf files will be on the ISO renamed to oem0.inf, oem1.inf etc. Once the files are inserted, you can view the driver details by placing your mouse cursor over the file name. The displayed list of file names is only suggested one. For more information on finding out the correct driver files, please see

chapter 2.9.

To view the selected .inf file content directly from the AVG Rescue CD Creator click this icon .

In the second field insert the network driver files, that reside in the C:\WINDOWS\System32\Drivers folder.

In the third field insert the network driver files, that reside in the C: \WINDOWS\System32\ folder (if applicable).

All selected files will be included in the appropriate system folders during the ISO creation process.

- Adding SCSI, RAID or SATA drivers

Should you require to add any RAID, SCSI or SATA drivers, that are not part of the standard MS Windows XP 32bit edition (i.e. are not recognized during AVG Rescue CD startup), follow this procedure:

First, you need to download the appropriate driver from your hardware manufacturer's website (or get it from some other source). You will need drivers, that are compatible with MS Windows XP 32bit (x86). Once you have the drivers, extract them to a local folder on your hard drive. The file structure must not be changed! An example of such archive:

C:\ADAPTEC\TXTSETUP.OEM

C:\ADAPTEC\WINXP32\ADPU320.SYS

C:\ADAPTEC\WINXP32\ADPU320.INF

C:\ADAPTEC\WINXP32\ADPU320.CAT

C:\ADAPTEC\WINXP64\ADPU640.SYS

C:\ADAPTEC\WINXP64\ADPU640.INF

C:\ADAPTEC\WINXP64\ADPU640.CAT

C:\ADAPTEC\WINXP64\ADP64U.DLL

C:\ADAPTEC\WIN2000\ADPU320W2.INF

C:\ADAPTEC\WIN2000\ADPU320W2.SYS

C:\ADAPTEC\WIN2000\ADPU320W2.CAT

The most important file is TXTSETUP.OEM, that is part of any SCSI, RAID or SATA driver. It contains all important information about the driver and will be needed for correct AVG Rescue CD boot with the new driver.

If you are unsure about the device name, you can simply navigate to the Windows Device Manager and find it there.

Note: This procedure applies only if you are operating on a MS Windows XP 32bit system and if you are are going to use AVG

Rescue CD on the same computer!

To open Windows Device Manager, click the Windows Start, right- click My Computer and select Manage. In the new dialog select Device Manager from the System Tools branch.

In the right part of the screen navigate to the SCSI and RAID controllers item. Here you will find a list of available SCSI compatible adapters.

Once you have the correct drivers, you need to add them to the ISO image. To do so, click on this button and choose the TXTSETUP.

OEM file of the requested driver. If the TXTSETUP.OEM file is shared for more operating systems, you may see a dialog asking for OS selection. See the sample below:

If so, always select Windows XP (x86/32bit) drivers and press the OK button. Once the driver files are inserted, you can view the driver details by placing your mouse cursor over the file name. You can use this feature to check, if the drivers were inserted properly.

Also, you can use the and buttons to add and remove files, if necessary. To remove or insert multiple files simply select them by using the mouse and pressing the appropriate button. You can use DEL and INS keyboard buttons as well for deleting or adding files in the individual dialog fields.

Files can also be dragged directly to the appropriate fields by using drag & drop Windows functionality, for example from the Windows Explorer dialog window.

- External directory structure section

If you need to use your own tools, utilities or some third-party software during the recovery process, you can include them on the

ISO (CD) as well. Simply click this button and choose the folder, where your tools reside. All files and sub-folders from the selected directory will be placed into /External directory on the CD. Please keep in mind the size of the media that you will use for burning the ISO image later. You will require adequate disk space for the ISO creation, if you add some space-consuming applications. If the size of the created ISO file is bigger than 700 MB (CD-R), you can burn AVG Rescue CD to DVD-R disc (4,7 GB capacity or more).

Note: Due to security and stability reasons, Windows system registry functionality is partly limited within the AVG Rescue CD environment (for example .reg file importing). Therefore, some applications that need to use the system registry during their operation might not be working properly in the AVG Rescue CD environment. Generally we do not recommend changing the system registry.

- Include AVG Rescue CD compressed (*.rar) file to ISO

checkbox

Check this checkbox if you prefer to store the compressed RAR archive to the ISO (CD) as well. This file can be used anytime later for creating another AVG Rescue CD without repeating the download process again.

(v) Once all options are set, click the Create ISO button. The ISO file

with AVG Rescue CD should be created in a short time.

e) Once you have successfully created the AVG Rescue CD ISO image file,

proceed to chapter 2.4 for instructions on burning a CD from the ISO image

file.

2.4. How to create the AVG Rescue CD - burning ISO image

If you have already obtained a copy of the AVG Rescue CD, then you can skip this chapter and proceed to chapter 2.5. To create an AVG Rescue CD, you need to create an ISO image first! For more information, see chapter 2.3.

To complete this step, you will need a CD/DVD burning drive, (either CD-RW or DVD-RW compatible drive with ability to burn CD-R/DVD-R disks). Additionally you will need burning software, that allows you to create a CD from the ISO image file and one CD-R/DVD-R or compatible disc.

To successfully burn the ISO image file you can use your favorite burning software or download a free one (for example CDBurnerXP Pro www.cdburnerxp.se, but several other choices also exist including free trial versions of most famous commercial burning software). Below, you will find more detailed information on how to use different software products to burn the ISO image.

a) Ahead Nero burning ROM

Nero Burning ROM is a commercial burning tool that can be used for burning ISO images.

More information about this program can be found on the Ahead Software Web site at: http://www.nero.com.

Steps to create a CD from the ISO image:

(i) Insert a blank CD in your CD-RW drive.

(ii) Start Nero Burning ROM from the Nero program folder in the start

menu.

(iii) New Compilation wizard should start. If not, select File/New from the

upper menu.

(iv) Select CD-ROM (ISO) (should be marked as default) and click Open

button located on the bottom of the dialog.

In the Open dialog box, select the AVG Rescue CD ISO file, and then click Open.

New dialog Burn compilation should come up:

You can choose additional properties before burning, we recommend to tick the Finalize CD checkbox to assure maximum compatibility (but

then you will not be able to burn any additional data to the disk). Click

Burn to start the burning process.

b) Roxio Easy Media Creator 8

Formerly known also as WinonCD or Easy CD creator. For more information about the software visit the Roxio web site (http://www.roxio.com).

Steps to create a CD from the ISO image:

(i) Insert a blank CD in your CD-RW drive.

(ii) Start Creator Classic from its usual location at

Start Menu/Programs/Roxio Easy Media Creator/Data/Creator Classic. From the left menu select the option Burn From Disc Image File.

(iii) Locate the ISO file and click Open. A new dialog will show up:

(iv) Click Burn Options if you want to choose additional burning options,

and then click OK to start the burning process.

c) WinOnCD 6.0

Originally a commercial software. Nowadays distributed as a free edition also. For more information about the software visit the Roxio web site (http://www.

roxio.com).

Steps to create a CD from the ISO image:

(i) Insert a blank CD in your CD-RW drive.

(ii) Start WinOnCd 6.0 from its usual location at:

Start Menu/Programs/ Roxio/WinOnCD 6 Power Edition/ WinOnCD 6 Power Edition. From the Wizard menu select the option Load file.