Cleaning boot viruses
Boot sector viruses are especially troublesome (and dangerous) viruses because they occupy a sensitive part of the hard drive, the boot sector, and load into memory whenever the system is started. From memory, they spread easily to any files that are subsequently opened and floppy disks that are used.
To clean a boot virus:
Shutdown your computer and turn off the power.
Insert the rescue disk labeled Emergency Boot Disk (Disk 1) in the floppy drive of your computer.
After waiting a few seconds, turn your computer on. Make sure your computer boots from the floppy drive (refer to your BIOS manual for instructions).
Insert the PCSCAN Files Disk (Disk 2) and at the DOS prompt, and type the following:
pcscan /V /C
Press Enter.
When prompted, insert the Pattern File Disk 1 and press Enter.
When prompted, insert the Pattern File Disk 2 and press Enter.
When prompted, insert the Pattern File Disk 3 and others and press Enter.
The last command tells PC-cillin to scan and clean all files on all drives, including the boot sector.
Important: Boot viruses spread easily. If PC-cillin detected a boot virus, it is very likely that one or more of your floppy disks are also infected. Be sure to run the Floppy Scan task and check all your floppies for viruses.
See also: