My sister's PC has contracted Vundo, and while I've been OK with doing some
work on it remotely (she's 6 hours away), I want to do some of the more
involved fixing with the PC in front of me (e.g. probably can't connect
remotely if in Safe Mode). I'm trying to get her to bring "the box" (and the
kb and mouse) down on Thanksgiving, leaving her monitor at home because I
have a spare in storage.

(1) Will I be able to simply plug in the spare monitor?
(2) Will she be able to simply plug in her monitor when she returns?

I can provide information about her PC and monitor, and the spare monitor,
if it makes a difference in answering the question. Thanks.

You shouldn't have a problem using a different monitor.

But the infected computer should NOT be connected to the internet or any
networks or your computer in its current state!!


jfire7887 wrote:
> My sister's PC has contracted Vundo, and while I've been OK with doing
> some
> work on it remotely (she's 6 hours away), I want to do some of the more
> involved fixing with the PC in front of me (e.g. probably can't connect
> remotely if in Safe Mode). I'm trying to get her to bring "the box" (and
> the kb and mouse) down on Thanksgiving, leaving her monitor at home
> because
> I have a spare in storage.
>
> (1) Will I be able to simply plug in the spare monitor?
> (2) Will she be able to simply plug in her monitor when she returns?
>
> I can provide information about her PC and monitor, and the spare monitor,
> if it makes a difference in answering the question. Thanks.

Yes and Yes.

"jfire7887" <jfire7887@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B7678047-AAD0-4E79-8085-FA2638C42402@microsoft.com...
: My sister's PC has contracted Vundo, and while I've been OK with doing
some
: work on it remotely (she's 6 hours away), I want to do some of the more
: involved fixing with the PC in front of me (e.g. probably can't connect
: remotely if in Safe Mode). I'm trying to get her to bring "the box" (and
the
: kb and mouse) down on Thanksgiving, leaving her monitor at home because I
: have a spare in storage.
:
: (1) Will I be able to simply plug in the spare monitor?
: (2) Will she be able to simply plug in her monitor when she returns?
:
: I can provide information about her PC and monitor, and the spare monitor,
: if it makes a difference in answering the question. Thanks.

"jfire7887" wrote:

> My sister's PC has contracted Vundo, and while I've been OK with doing some
> work on it remotely (she's 6 hours away), I want to do some of the more
> involved fixing with the PC in front of me (e.g. probably can't connect
> remotely if in Safe Mode). I'm trying to get her to bring "the box" (and the
> kb and mouse) down on Thanksgiving, leaving her monitor at home because I
> have a spare in storage.
>
> (1) Will I be able to simply plug in the spare monitor?

Yes.

> (2) Will she be able to simply plug in her monitor when she returns?

Yes. You will need to adjust the video resolution of the computer to match
the native resolution of the spare monitor if it differs from her monitor.

>
> I can provide information about her PC and monitor, and the spare monitor,
> if it makes a difference in answering the question. Thanks.

Thanks, Mark!

"Mark Adams" wrote:

>
>
> "jfire7887" wrote:
>
> > My sister's PC has contracted Vundo, and while I've been OK with doing some
> > work on it remotely (she's 6 hours away), I want to do some of the more
> > involved fixing with the PC in front of me (e.g. probably can't connect
> > remotely if in Safe Mode). I'm trying to get her to bring "the box" (and the
> > kb and mouse) down on Thanksgiving, leaving her monitor at home because I
> > have a spare in storage.
> >
> > (1) Will I be able to simply plug in the spare monitor?
>
> Yes.
>
> > (2) Will she be able to simply plug in her monitor when she returns?
>
> Yes. You will need to adjust the video resolution of the computer to match
> the native resolution of the spare monitor if it differs from her monitor.
>
> >
> > I can provide information about her PC and monitor, and the spare monitor,
> > if it makes a difference in answering the question. Thanks.

"jfire7887" wrote:

> Thanks, Mark!

I forgot about this. If her display settings are set to a resolution that is
not compatible with your monitor, all you will get is a black screen when
Windows loads. The POST information when you first power on the computer
should be visible. If this is the case, reboot the machine in VGA Mode. See
the following KB article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222

Look under Description of Safe Boot options. Fourth point down describes
Enable VGA Mode. This should allow the desktop to be viewed. Reset the
monitor resolution to the native resolution of your monitor. If you do have
to do this to view Windows, she will probably have to do this again when she
gets home with her repaired computer.


>
> "Mark Adams" wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > "jfire7887" wrote:
> >
> > > My sister's PC has contracted Vundo, and while I've been OK with doing some
> > > work on it remotely (she's 6 hours away), I want to do some of the more
> > > involved fixing with the PC in front of me (e.g. probably can't connect
> > > remotely if in Safe Mode). I'm trying to get her to bring "the box" (and the
> > > kb and mouse) down on Thanksgiving, leaving her monitor at home because I
> > > have a spare in storage.
> > >
> > > (1) Will I be able to simply plug in the spare monitor?
> >
> > Yes.
> >
> > > (2) Will she be able to simply plug in her monitor when she returns?
> >
> > Yes. You will need to adjust the video resolution of the computer to match
> > the native resolution of the spare monitor if it differs from her monitor.
> >
> > >
> > > I can provide information about her PC and monitor, and the spare monitor,
> > > if it makes a difference in answering the question. Thanks.

Mark,

Since I am able to remotely log in to her computer, is there a way for me to
pre-check her monitor's relevant settings? [Is it just the Screen Resolution
setting on the Settings tab of Display Properties (Desktop right-click) or is
it something else?] Similarly, instead of using the spare monitor that is
currently not hooked up to anything, I can pre-check another monitor that is
connected to a rarely used PC, if I know what to check for.

Thanks,
jfire7887

"Mark Adams" wrote:

>
>
> "jfire7887" wrote:
>
> > Thanks, Mark!
>
> I forgot about this. If her display settings are set to a resolution that is
> not compatible with your monitor, all you will get is a black screen when
> Windows loads. The POST information when you first power on the computer
> should be visible. If this is the case, reboot the machine in VGA Mode. See
> the following KB article:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222
>
> Look under Description of Safe Boot options. Fourth point down describes
> Enable VGA Mode. This should allow the desktop to be viewed. Reset the
> monitor resolution to the native resolution of your monitor. If you do have
> to do this to view Windows, she will probably have to do this again when she
> gets home with her repaired computer.
>
>
> >
> > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > "jfire7887" wrote:
> > >
> > > > My sister's PC has contracted Vundo, and while I've been OK with doing some
> > > > work on it remotely (she's 6 hours away), I want to do some of the more
> > > > involved fixing with the PC in front of me (e.g. probably can't connect
> > > > remotely if in Safe Mode). I'm trying to get her to bring "the box" (and the
> > > > kb and mouse) down on Thanksgiving, leaving her monitor at home because I
> > > > have a spare in storage.
> > > >
> > > > (1) Will I be able to simply plug in the spare monitor?
> > >
> > > Yes.
> > >
> > > > (2) Will she be able to simply plug in her monitor when she returns?
> > >
> > > Yes. You will need to adjust the video resolution of the computer to match
> > > the native resolution of the spare monitor if it differs from her monitor.
> > >
> > > >
> > > > I can provide information about her PC and monitor, and the spare monitor,
> > > > if it makes a difference in answering the question. Thanks.

Mark,

Since I am able to remotely log in to her computer, is there a way for me to
pre-check her monitor's relevant settings? [Is it just the Screen Resolution
setting on the Settings tab of Display Properties (Desktop right-click) or is
it something else?] Similarly, instead of using the spare monitor that is
currently not hooked up to anything, I can pre-check another monitor that is
connected to a rarely used PC, if I know what to check for.

Thanks,
jfire7887

"Mark Adams" wrote:

>
>
> "jfire7887" wrote:
>
> > Thanks, Mark!
>
> I forgot about this. If her display settings are set to a resolution that is
> not compatible with your monitor, all you will get is a black screen when
> Windows loads. The POST information when you first power on the computer
> should be visible. If this is the case, reboot the machine in VGA Mode. See
> the following KB article:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222
>
> Look under Description of Safe Boot options. Fourth point down describes
> Enable VGA Mode. This should allow the desktop to be viewed. Reset the
> monitor resolution to the native resolution of your monitor. If you do have
> to do this to view Windows, she will probably have to do this again when she
> gets home with her repaired computer.
>
>
> >
> > "Mark Adams" wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > "jfire7887" wrote:
> > >
> > > > My sister's PC has contracted Vundo, and while I've been OK with doing some
> > > > work on it remotely (she's 6 hours away), I want to do some of the more
> > > > involved fixing with the PC in front of me (e.g. probably can't connect
> > > > remotely if in Safe Mode). I'm trying to get her to bring "the box" (and the
> > > > kb and mouse) down on Thanksgiving, leaving her monitor at home because I
> > > > have a spare in storage.
> > > >
> > > > (1) Will I be able to simply plug in the spare monitor?
> > >
> > > Yes.
> > >
> > > > (2) Will she be able to simply plug in her monitor when she returns?
> > >
> > > Yes. You will need to adjust the video resolution of the computer to match
> > > the native resolution of the spare monitor if it differs from her monitor.
> > >
> > > >
> > > > I can provide information about her PC and monitor, and the spare monitor,
> > > > if it makes a difference in answering the question. Thanks.

jfire7887 wrote:
> Since I am able to remotely log in to her computer, is there a way
> for me to pre-check her monitor's relevant settings? [Is it just
> the Screen Resolution setting on the Settings tab of Display
> Properties (Desktop right-click) or is it something else?]
> Similarly, instead of using the spare monitor that is currently not
> hooked up to anything, I can pre-check another monitor that is
> connected to a rarely used PC, if I know what to check for.

As I said before - make sure that the monitor you have has the same type of
connection her computer does (she and you will have to look...) DVI, VGA,
HDMI, RGB, Display Port, etc.

If you set it to some lower resolution before she leaves - like 1024x768 or
800x600 at 60Hz - then you will have little to no problem connecting it to
another monitor.

Although - if you can remote to it - why is it being brought?

Install TeamViewer Host on her computer, install the full TeamViewer
application on yours and utilize that (freely) to repair her machine -
rebooting as needed and if something happens that causes you to be unable to
contact it - have her reboot it with a phone call to her.

SuperAntiSpyware, MalwareBytes, a good AntiVirus software, CCleaner,
MyDefrag and CHKDSK would be a good start (can be done remotely.)

I would suggest highly replacing whatever AntiVirus software she has with
eSet NOD32 (~59 for a 2 year subscription - *just* the AntiVirus should do
it - for home) and also purchasing the full version of MalwareBytes for
resident protection. Those two combined have been very reliable for me in
preventing even those who *often* re-infested themselves from doing so at
all anymore.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Thanks, Tom!

"Tom Willett" wrote:

> Yes and Yes.
>
> "jfire7887" <jfire7887@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:B7678047-AAD0-4E79-8085-FA2638C42402@microsoft.com...
> : My sister's PC has contracted Vundo, and while I've been OK with doing
> some
> : work on it remotely (she's 6 hours away), I want to do some of the more
> : involved fixing with the PC in front of me (e.g. probably can't connect
> : remotely if in Safe Mode). I'm trying to get her to bring "the box" (and
> the
> : kb and mouse) down on Thanksgiving, leaving her monitor at home because I
> : have a spare in storage.
> :
> : (1) Will I be able to simply plug in the spare monitor?
> : (2) Will she be able to simply plug in her monitor when she returns?
> :
> : I can provide information about her PC and monitor, and the spare monitor,
> : if it makes a difference in answering the question. Thanks.
>
>
> .
>

Thanks, PA Bear! Yes, the PC will be set up stand alone, side-by-side to my
PC so I can get help online if/when I need it.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> You shouldn't have a problem using a different monitor.
>
> But the infected computer should NOT be connected to the internet or any
> networks or your computer in its current state!!
>
>
> jfire7887 wrote:
> > My sister's PC has contracted Vundo, and while I've been OK with doing
> > some
> > work on it remotely (she's 6 hours away), I want to do some of the more
> > involved fixing with the PC in front of me (e.g. probably can't connect
> > remotely if in Safe Mode). I'm trying to get her to bring "the box" (and
> > the kb and mouse) down on Thanksgiving, leaving her monitor at home
> > because
> > I have a spare in storage.
> >
> > (1) Will I be able to simply plug in the spare monitor?
> > (2) Will she be able to simply plug in her monitor when she returns?
> >
> > I can provide information about her PC and monitor, and the spare monitor,
> > if it makes a difference in answering the question. Thanks.
>
> .
>

Shenan,

By "same type of connection", do you mean physical connector? If so, not
sure she'll be able to tell. I can say her monitor is a Dell M991, and one
of the two monitors I have available is a Dell M780. Looking at the spec
info for each of these (M991:
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc.../spec/spec.htm, M780:
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc.../Eng/specs.htm), the
connector type, resolution and preset display mode info appear to be pretty
much the same. If I could just verify this, my sister won't have to bring her
monitor as a fallback.

As to the reason they are bringing it, even though I can remote (via
LogMeIn): I looked up what the fix may involve, and it appears there may be
potential for needing to do things (Combofix) at key moments (e.g. Safe Mode)
where she'd have to be my eyes, etc. when she is not that technically
capable. Since they are coming down anyway in two weeks, and it would be easy
to put the PC behind one of the seats, and I fixed this on my nephew's PC in
similar fashion, I thought I'd rather play it on the safe side here.

P.S. The regular software in use is Trend Micro Internet Security 2009, but
I will give some thought to your suggestions. One of the considerations when
setting up my family with protection (or backup, etc) is that it has to be as
close to "set it and forget it" or it won't work for them.

"Shenan Stanley" wrote:

> jfire7887 wrote:
> > Since I am able to remotely log in to her computer, is there a way
> > for me to pre-check her monitor's relevant settings? [Is it just
> > the Screen Resolution setting on the Settings tab of Display
> > Properties (Desktop right-click) or is it something else?]
> > Similarly, instead of using the spare monitor that is currently not
> > hooked up to anything, I can pre-check another monitor that is
> > connected to a rarely used PC, if I know what to check for.
>
> As I said before - make sure that the monitor you have has the same type of
> connection her computer does (she and you will have to look...) DVI, VGA,
> HDMI, RGB, Display Port, etc.
>
> If you set it to some lower resolution before she leaves - like 1024x768 or
> 800x600 at 60Hz - then you will have little to no problem connecting it to
> another monitor.
>
> Although - if you can remote to it - why is it being brought?
>
> Install TeamViewer Host on her computer, install the full TeamViewer
> application on yours and utilize that (freely) to repair her machine -
> rebooting as needed and if something happens that causes you to be unable to
> contact it - have her reboot it with a phone call to her.
>
> SuperAntiSpyware, MalwareBytes, a good AntiVirus software, CCleaner,
> MyDefrag and CHKDSK would be a good start (can be done remotely.)
>
> I would suggest highly replacing whatever AntiVirus software she has with
> eSet NOD32 (~59 for a 2 year subscription - *just* the AntiVirus should do
> it - for home) and also purchasing the full version of MalwareBytes for
> resident protection. Those two combined have been very reliable for me in
> preventing even those who *often* re-infested themselves from doing so at
> all anymore.
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
>
> .
>