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From: shediack%hqeis.decnet@hqafsc-vax.af.mil (HQEIS::SHEDIACK)
Newsgroups: comp.virus
Subject: Re: Help, I may have a virus (Virus-L, V#3, #161) (PC)
Message-ID: <0009.9010011435.AA28524@ubu.cert.sei.cmu.edu>
Date: 28 Sep 90 16:56:00 GMT
Sender: Virus Discussion List <VIRUS-L@LEHIIBM1>
Lines: 38
Approved: krvw@sei.cmu.edu


         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)