Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.edu!dsinc!netnews.upenn.edu!vax1.cc.lehigh.edu!cert.sei.cmu.edu!krvw From: padgett%tccslr.dnet@mmc.com (Padgett Peterson) Newsgroups: comp.virus Subject: re: Partition Table Viruses (PC) Message-ID: <0003.9105201353.AA06044@ubu.cert.sei.cmu.edu> Date: 17 May 91 16:09:43 GMT Sender: Virus Discussion List Lines: 17 Approved: krvw@sei.cmu.edu >From: "Anthony H. Galway" >... and so ....format C:! > Now am I the absolute soul of niavete by taking this action, >or am I doing the only thing possibly? Having dealt with a number of viruses, I have never "HAD" to format a disk, all are removable by someone who understands the architecture. Except in one case which I suspect you have encountered & relates to hardware rather than a virus (no hidden sectors), all that is needed is a protected bootable floppy containing DEBUG, a hardware list (optional but handy), and CHKDSK. The problem with CLEAN and other generic disinfection routines is that they being automatic routines, cannot anticipate or handle every conceivable mix of hardware and O/S. A good tech who understands assembly language, MBRs, & viruses can. Given the first two qualifications, the rest can be taught in a day.