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Q79090: Michaelangelo Virus Disables Floppy Drive

Article: Q79090
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:3.x,4.x,5.0,5.0a
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 17-DEC-2000

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 3.1, 3.2, 3.21, 3.3, 3.3a, 4.0, 4.01, 5.0, 5.0a 
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SUMMARY
=======

The error message "general failure error" may occur when trying to access a
floppy drive on a system infected by the Michaelangelo virus. If the virus is
present, the error message can occur regardless of which MS-DOS version is
running at the time. If the machine is booted from a floppy disk, the virus is
inactive and the error message will not be displayed.

MORE INFORMATION
================

If the Michaelangelo virus is present on a hard drive, it will disable (make
unreadable) the boot record of any floppy disk (that is not write-protected)
when the disk drive is accessed. The virus resides in the partition table and
cannot be destroyed by repartitioning.

NOTE: McAfee's ScanV82 can detect this virus. The code name for the Michaelangelo
virus is "MICH." For more information about this virus detection software,
contact McAfee Associates at:

  McAfee Associates
  4423 Cheeney Street
  Santa Clara, CA 95054
  (408) 988-3832

The product included here is manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft;
we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the product's performance
or reliability.

Additional query words: 3.3 3.30 3.3a 3.30a 4.0 4.00 4.0a 4.00a 4.01 4.01a 5.00 3rdparty err msg "michelangelo"

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS321 kbMSDOS400 kbMSDOS320 kbMSDOS330a kbMSDOS310 kbMSDOS500 kbMSDOS330 kbMSDOS401 kbMSDOS500a
Version           : MS-DOS:3.x,4.x,5.0,5.0a

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