p1@rlyeh.wimsey.bc.ca (Rob Slade) (01/11/91)
3501P@NAVPGS.BITNET (Jeffrey) writes: > The guy that is "curing" the problem indicated that the > two viruses in combination created some sort of unique problem > and that Joshi may be a "Friday the 13th" type bomb. Get a new expert. The dual infection may indeed cause some "conflict" problems between the viri, but the "hanging" of the computer is a common symptom of Joshi. But only on January 5th. According to Pat Hoffman's December '90 listing, Joshi cannot be removed from a hard disk without a low level format, but you might try FPROT version 1.13. FPROT's BOOTVIR.TXT does not state whether or not it will remove Joshi, but it does a fine job with Stoned (1 or 2). Joshi is a "Friday the 13th" type bomb *only* in the sense that it is date activated. There is no report of deletion of files. Finally, yes, Jeffrey, recovery is possible. Quite easily. *Boot from a known clean system disk first!* Both Joshi and Stoned are boot sector viri. In fact, if you are willing to boot from floppy, you can know use your computer as is. As long as you don't boot from the hard disk, the viri will never activate. But, assuming you don't want to go along with such an awkward kludge, having booted clean you can now use any back utility to backup your files, and then do any disinfection procedures you wish, with FPROT, SCAN, CLEAN or even a low level format. OK, one caveat. With the two viri operating and moving sectors around, your FAT *may* have suffered some damage. But I don't think it very likely.