Once the drive is bootable, you can copy your Windows programs onto it. But I won't talk about those programs just yet; I'd rather start by showing you what to do in Linux.
Fixing Windows From Another OS
Your friend's PC probably doesn't boot from a flash drive by default, so you'll have to figure out how to make it do that. When the computer first comes on, it may produce messages telling you what keys to press for 'Setup' or the 'Boot Menu'. If it offers both, go with the Boot Menu option, since Setup will require you to change the boot order of your friend's machine (you should change it back when you're through).If you see no such messages, experiment with pressing function keys just before Windows loads (F10 is a good bet for the Boot Menu). You can also search the Web for setup or "boot menu" plus the PC make and model number.
Even if you know the appropriate button, getting the timing right can be tricky. I just push and release the button over and over again until the correct menu comes up.
(If you're wondering why you shouldn't simply create a bootable CD instead of a flash drive, I can list several reasons: You can't easily copy files to a CD. Not all PCs have optical drives anymore. And not all computers with optical drives boot from them without the same hassles I just described.)
Once you successfully boot from the drive, select Default Settings (Runs from RAM) from the resulting menu. You'll soon find yourself in a comfortably familiar-looking environment.
But here's one thing you should remember: Linux is actually running in a virtual drive in RAM. Any file you save to the root "drive" will disappear when you reboot. If you want to save a file, save it to the flash drive.
The following are a few things that you can do in PartedMagic.
Check the hard drive's health: Double-click the Disk Health icon on the desktop for technical information on the hard drive. The last tab lets you run the drive's built-in diagnostic tests.
Scan for malware: Unfortunately, the command-line version of ClamAV that comes in PartedMagic is anything but friendly. You may want to follow these instructions closely, or just skip to the next section, where I suggest some alternatives.
First, you have to download the current definitions. Click the Start button (yes, I'm using the Windows term for clarity) and select System Tools. If a Download Clamav Definitions option is available, select it.
If you don't see one there, launch Firefox (Start, Internet, Firefox), and go to the ClamAV site. Download main.cvd and daily.cvd. Save them to the /root/clamav folder.
Before you run the scan, make sure that all of the partitions you want to scan are mounted. See the "Recover Files" section above for instructions.
Next you'll need a folder, preferably on the flash drive, to store the suspected infected files. If you know how to create a folder in Windows, you can figure it out here.
Now open a terminal window: Select Start, Accessories, LXTerminal. A command-prompt window will open. At the prompt, type cd /root/clamav and press Enter. Then type clamscan -r -v --move= path to your new folder /media. For instance, you might type clamscan -r -v --move=/media/sdb1/badstuffinside /media. (Note that there's a space between badstuffinside and /.) Press Enter.
When the scan is over, suspected files will be off your friend's hard drive and on your flash drive. You can then look at them, determine if they're necessary, and delete them. Just don't open them in Windows.
Point your browser to linux.die.net/man/1/clamscan for more on using ClamAV.
Other Malware-Fighting Tools
If ClamAV seems like too much of a hassle, consider using one or more of these other portable malware scanners.
HijackThis: Actually, this isn't a scanner, but a portable, Windows-based analysis tool. It produces an obtuse report on the PC's configuration, and that report may contain clues about an infection. Consult Trend Micro's HijackThis site for a list of online forums where you can upload your report and get advice.
AVG Rescue CD: If you can't (or won't) run a malware scan in Windows, here's another live Linux distro built especially for antivirus work. You can download separate versions to burn to CD or to put on a flash drive. Either one is bootable.
Extra Tools for Your Flash Drive
Not every PC problem your friends have will require a malware scan or an alternative boot. These portable programs easily fit on your flash drive, and can run in Windows without being installed.
With tools such as these in your pocket, you can be a very popular person.
