Crazy computer problem: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Aug. 23, 2011 7:59 p.m. petegossett SuperDork

OK, this is really weird...

I have an Asus eee PC that I bought brand-new in February of 2010. Last weekend it started acting up, and I'm suspecting the hard drive is having problems, so I pulled it out tonight and put it in an external drive enclosure so I could save my data before it crashes completely.

However, when I plugged it into my USB port, it popped up two separate partitions - and one of those has someone else's data and files in it! OK, yeah, so that's weird, right? Well some of those files are dated from August of 2010 - six months AFTER I bought the PC!!!

Here's what I know:

I know this PC was sealed in the box when I bought it. I know I've never loaned it out to anyone. I know the hard drive has never been removed since it was unpacked new. I know I never re-partitioned the drive, nor saved this data onto my pc.

What's also weird is that although I don't recognize the peoples names in any of the files, several of the documents reference local schools - but I bought the PC out of state.

So, has someone somehow hacked into my computer and saved someone else's documents and files onto it???
Aug. 24, 2011 6:51 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

It's entirely possible. I had that happen to a client a few years back. Someone hacked their one servers and made it a bit-torrent host for MP3's

Change all your passwords from another (virus clean) computer.

But remember this...virus's can travel through USB Drives, CD's, embedded into JPGs sent through email, etc. the list goes on and on. make sure your A.V. is current and active.
Aug. 24, 2011 1:16 p.m. madmallard Reader

i believe windows 7 by default uses a 2 partition system now? so that in of itself isnt unusual...
Aug. 24, 2011 1:49 p.m. mndsm SuperDork

petegossett wrote:

OK, this is really weird...

I have an Asus eee PC that I bought brand-new in February of 2010. Last weekend it started acting up, and I'm suspecting the hard drive is having problems, so I pulled it out tonight and put it in an external drive enclosure so I could save my data before it crashes completely.

However, when I plugged it into my USB port, it popped up two separate partitions - and one of those has someone else's data and files in it! OK, yeah, so that's weird, right? Well some of those files are dated from August of 2010 - six months AFTER I bought the PC!!!

Here's what I know:

I know this PC was sealed in the box when I bought it. I know I've never loaned it out to anyone. I know the hard drive has never been removed since it was unpacked new. I know I never re-partitioned the drive, nor saved this data onto my pc.

What's also weird is that although I don't recognize the peoples names in any of the files, several of the documents reference local schools - but I bought the PC out of state.

So, has someone somehow hacked into my computer and saved someone else's documents and files onto it???

If they hopped onto your network while that PC was connected, it's entirely possible. my PS3 has a bad habit of sharing stuff from other apartments.
Aug. 24, 2011 6:09 p.m. confuZion3 SuperDork

mndsm wrote:

If they hopped onto your network while that PC was connected, it's entirely possible. my PS3 has a bad habit of sharing stuff from other apartments.

So... Skynet?
Aug. 24, 2011 7:00 p.m. 1988RedT2 Dork

Any roommates or teenage children have access to your computer?
Aug. 24, 2011 8:08 p.m. petegossett SuperDork

My daughter was on FB when the problem happened, so I'm guessing that must be at the root of this.