jbracher@UCSD.EDU (James Bracher) (09/23/90)
I am told that I have a virus and need some information. This newsgroup seems the place to ask my questions. This is my first time posting to the net, so any comments will be appreciated. I don't usually read this group, but now I have a good reason. Any responses may go direct to me or can be posted. I have had trouble with my C-MOS failing during boot up and having to fix missing or wrong information. No big deal, but I ran the machine back to where I bought it over the summer (and after loading several new programs from different trusted sources). They told me that it was a boot sector virus. Okay. However, some EE and programing friends were not so sure. They have also checked programs I have shared with them, without finding a virus. Symptoms: Only seems to blow the C-MOS. This may have been triggered on dates with a 14 in the string, especially 2/14/90. Does this sound like a known (or unknown) virus? Further, (this should provoke some discussion) what is a good book/article on viri (?), especially for someone short on time. And which of the many anti-virus programs are recommended? I don't have time to become an expert on viruses, but should know something. Many thanks in Advance..... JSB
woody@chinacat.Unicom.COM (Woody Baker @ Eagle Signal) (09/26/90)
jbracher@UCSD.EDU (James Bracher) writes: > I am told that I have a virus and need some information. This > I have had trouble with my C-MOS failing during boot up and having to > fix missing or wrong information. No big deal, but I ran the machine An out of control program can cause the c-mos info to get lost. I have seen it happen more often than I want to. > new programs from different trusted sources). They told me that it > was a boot sector virus. Okay. However, some EE and programing > > Symptoms: Only seems to blow the C-MOS. This may have been triggered > on dates with a 14 in the string, especially 2/14/90. Interrupt driven code is especialy prone to wiping this out, however It is sounding more and more like a marginal battery. Perhaps you should replace the battery. Often times they start causing problems a couple of years down the road. Cheers Woody
jwm775@unhd.unh.edu (Jonathan W Miner) (09/26/90)
jbracher@UCSD.EDU (James Bracher) writes: >I have had trouble with my C-MOS failing during boot up and having to >fix missing or wrong information. No big deal, but I ran the machine This can also be caused by a bad battery. I worked on a machine with a faulty battery this summer and it configured itself differently every day. One result was refusing to format floppy disks. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Jonathan Miner (jwm775@unhd.UUCP) I don't speak for UNH, nor they for me. - -----------------------------------------------------------------------
shediack%hqeis.decnet@hqafsc-vax.af.mil (HQEIS::SHEDIACK) (09/28/90)
In Virus-L, V#3, #161, James Bracher raises a question on CMOS
loss upon bootup in his "Help, I may have a virus (PC)". Mr
Bracher is concerned he may have a virus in his computer's hard
disk.
Another reader raised the possibility of a weak battery due to
aging. I had that problem here last week where a computer lost
its date (went back to the default of 1-1-80), but didn't lose
the rest of the configuration when power was lost. It turned
out the battery was only holding/putting out 4 volts which the
technician told me was too low this particular CPU.
Another possibility could be a bad power supply. We had a
computer here that did everything from display RAM error
messages, "No operating system found" messages, fail to boot,
lose configuration, etc. After hours of troubleshooting, we
were coming up with nothing but frustration. The technician and
I talked about this computer's frequent maintenance problems.
It then dawned on both of us this particular CPU had been in the
same room where another CPU lost its hard disk, power supply and
part of the motherboard to a power surge of some sort. A meter
check on the power supply showed it putting out only 7 volts
when 12.5 was called for by the manufacturer.
(don't quote me on the voltage figures---I got them second hand,
but you get the general idea).
Moral: When the box is acting weird, check the battery and power
supply if everything else seems okay.
PATRICK D. SHEDIACK, MSgt, USAF "Standard disclaimer -
Info Mgt Systems Development Analyst all opinions my own;
Directorate of Information Management but, you're free to
HQ Air Force Systems Command adopt them!"
Andrews AFB DC 20334-5000
(301-981-2032/5245)(DSN: 858-2032/5245)