WIN98 and viruses ?

[bmd2k3]

Helping a buddy out who has a WIN98SE machine that will no longer boot to windows in any way, shape or form (safe mode etc).

I'm suspecting a virus...but have no way to check it since I only have Windows base antivirus s/w I can load.

Any suggestions on where to get a decent antivirus app I can run from a floppy or cd....in "DOS" ?

 

[tazzed]

Most Newer Versions Of Antivirus software includes a bootable disk, In the case of Norton AntiVirus or Norton System Works Can boot off the install CD and run the anitvirus program, a good idea is to get the virus Def. form symantec's Web site and put them on floppy(s) as it will look for updates upon bootup off cd.

 

[fluxvoovoo]

Are you getting error messages? Can you boot to dos? If so you might try several things before purchasing any AV software. At C:\ type in mem/c . Is your ttl disc space 655,360 ? If not suspect a possible memory resident virus. From dos you can explore the directories a little. Look for files with odd extensions or what appears to be a double file extension. Also look for directories with HUGE numbers of files such as temp files with sequential names such as the following:
A00100.CPL
A00101.CPL
ETC.ETC. (possible worm virus).
You might try a step-by-step w/confirmation if possible, saying no to the loading of config.sys and autoexec.bat, as well as any antivirus software you recognize.
If not tried yet, boot to dos and try this one: C:\scanreg/restore . If possible load a coupy of the registry from a date before the problem occured. Still curious tho as to any error messages - how far into the boot do you go...etc. (reset the bios yet?)