All Word and Excel files modified and not openable

R

Rascal

I'm working on cleaning up a friend's computer - that had a particularly
nasty Vundo infection. I see that all of the word and excel files that were
in My documents were modified on the same day and at the same time -
obviously not possible by a person.

And they cannot be opened. Words opens up a file conversion dialog and it
wants me to pick the code that makes it readable - which appears to be none
of the choices. And excel just opens up gibberish.

When I tried to open the first on I got a security message that said that
there was a macro from the avery denison corporation - when I elected to
block the macro I got the gibberish - so I then elected to trust the source.
Don't know if that matters at all.

I know that the situation is dire and I know that Vundo is not a problem for
this forum - but I'm trying to figure out if there is any way that these
files can be recovered.

Does anyone have advice for me?
 
H

Herb Tyson [MVP]

The description of Vundo I've read does not indicate that it attacks Word
and Excel files. It seems unlikely that Vundo is directly responsible.

However, it's possible that Vundo's presence made the computer susceptible
to other virii. The virii I'm aware of that overwrite Word and Excel files
essentially destroy those files--no recovery is possible. Your friend's only
hope would be a backup--and from the tone of your message, I'm assuming that
a backup does not exist.
 
R

Rascal

Herb Tyson said:
The description of Vundo I've read does not indicate that it attacks Word
and Excel files. It seems unlikely that Vundo is directly responsible.

However, it's possible that Vundo's presence made the computer susceptible
to other virii. The virii I'm aware of that overwrite Word and Excel files
essentially destroy those files--no recovery is possible. Your friend's only
hope would be a backup--and from the tone of your message, I'm assuming that
a backup does not exist.

--
Herb Tyson MS MVP
Author of the Word 2007 Bible
Blog: http://word2007bible.herbtyson.com
Web: http://www.herbtyson.com
Click to expand...

You are right, Herb. That is exactly the case. Thanks for your input. I'm
now off on the adventure of Format c:!
 
Top