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Date Posted: 00:17:31 08/21/99 Sat
Author: Jazza
Subject: Re: Virus
In reply to: David Thomas 's message, "Virus" on 00:13:42 08/21/99 Sat

CIH (CHERNOBYL) CAN RUIN YOUR DAY
CIH is the first virus known that can completely disable many newer (486, Pentium, or Pentium II) computers by overwriting BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program code, if the code is stored on the special "flash" (write-enabled) BIOS chip. Once CIH triggers, some users will have a serious problem: The PC simply won't start up.

That's because the BIOS program directly accesses the PC's
hardware to test system memory and disk drives at bootup, then accesses the disk to load the operating system. Without a working BIOS program, a PC will not even boot up from a floppy. While it may be possible to use a disk image of the BIOS code made in advance or obtained from the manufacturer, a user would have to know how to restore it and have the hardware necessary to write to the flash RAM chip.

Ironically, this hardware would be the PC itself, booted to DOS and running flash RAM upgrading software. And that's where most CIH victims would be helpless, needing at least a technician's help (or even having to replace the motherboard if the BIOS chip is soldered to it).

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Replies:

  • Re: Virus -- Eve, 20:20:15 10/01/99 Fri
  • Re: Virus -- Jazza, 18:12:17 10/14/99 Thu
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