On Thu, 17 Feb 2000 01:39:15 -0500, Mark David Roth wrote:
>>> Gregy wrote:
>>> software; I can imagine what fun it could be to have that CMOS virus
>>> program activated while attempting to install BootMagic or System
>>> Commander. I'll be your worst nightmare would be pleasant in comparison.
>> Nope....manual and install instructions for Boot Manager and System
>> Commander, et al say to turn it back off while you do the install, then
>> turn it back on...BUT...AMI Bios doesn't require that, as long as you
>> answer "yes" (i.e. let the program continue with its instal)
> -Bernie replied:
> -Actually my BIOS didn't complain when I rewrote my MBR (under the
> -installation of Lilo).
> -BIOS does claim to have "ChipAwayVirus Detect" or something like that. I
> -guess there are diffrent degrees of "cmos av programs".
> Are there any CMOS AV programs? Where could I get them?
Hello Bernie:
Get Integrity Master from Stiller Research. Fully functional shareware.
I don't know the name of the URL offhand. Integrity Master will detect
changes in your CMOS, and it provides a utility for re-writing the same
settings collected from a previous state of a "clean" setup. Special
versions are available for DOS. Integrity Master runs fast. It is not
bloatware. It is written 100% in assembly language.
Integrity Master detects also any changes in your boot and partition
sectors, and it runs check-sums on all your files. Any changes to existing
files, or if any additional files are being written to your disk, Integrity
Master will let you know.
To get rid of a CMOS virus when you don't have a clean digital copy of your
CMOS settings, I believe the best thing to do would be to disconnect all
power to your PC, and to disconnect your CMOS battery for about 8 hours
or more. When you re-connect your CMOS battery, the only things that could
be in your CMOS would be the default settings, as far as I know.
I have heard rumors that there are CMOS viruses that can physically change
the firmware, but I don't know if there is any truth in those stories. Does
anyone know anything for certain about this? Sounds like a hoax to me.
Sam Heywood
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