Use a specialized RAM cleaning solution and follow proper procedures to remove residues efficiently.
Use a specialized RAM cleaning solution and follow proper procedures to remove residues efficiently.
For peace of mind, perform a memtest before starting the operating system. This process writes data across all memory blocks, erasing any existing information. Note: I think this is unnecessary unless you're protecting highly sensitive data like nuclear missile codes.
a long time. I'll say again. it really isn't a problem. let's assume that there is malicious code in ram (since this seems to be the problem) it would need to be a) written to operate with the intent of being powered down and transferred to the new computer. b) be robust and effective enough to survive absolute near corruption, this would mean data replication across multiple DRAM chips, and some ability to piece everything back together. c) be able to execute instructions the moment it is powered on. this is such an obscenely difficult task that it is effectively impossible outside of specific controlled instances. edit: it is also likely that the malware would need to have previous knowledge about specific hardware.
I meant if virus were on HDD, but you power up system with RAM and data residue on it. Memtest solution is fine unless it takes long, otherwise I can just wait 15 minutes...
The virus couldn't retrieve leftover data from RAM because the operating system likely isolated the program, preventing access. Power consumption shouldn't have helped either, so it probably wasn't the main issue.
RAM struggles to maintain data even when powered on continuously. It must refresh the information (likely referred to as tRFC in timing). For those who are overly cautious, data can also be stored encrypted in RAM. AMD refers to this as SME.