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Boot Sector Write VIRUS: Y/N

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by jtpaderes

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I have this unit specs. of SAC PII 350MHZ R2, Gateway, Desktop/Tower.

My problem is, I used to installed my new Western Digital HD 40 GB to my GAteway PC using a Win98 OS, the first module of the installation was of course to Prepare the unit forinstallation by inspecting its hardware, but right after the progress bar reach the 100% of inspection, IT HANGS! ang displays a pop-up message saying "Boot Sector Write VIRUS: Y/N:". I check the CMOS for an ENABLE option of Virus Checking but I have a hard time finding that option, not just in the clone PC. So anybody can show me the right
procedure 'bout this problem guys?

I already booted to a clean start-up disk and try to issuee a FDISK /MBR to clean the MBR but STILL the problem occur. I also replaced ny HD with s SEAGATE HD but it still no changes.

Thanks in advance.

10 replies

by dmiles

The virus seems to have already written its own code to the MBR and DOS,if this is the case you will need to use boot disk from the anti-virus software to clean the virus

See the following for more info
1)http://antivirus.about.com
2)http://kb.indiana.edu/data/ahll.html
3)http://forum.arstechnica.com

by dmiles

The virus seems to have already written its own code to the MBR and DOS,if this is the case you will need to use boot disk from the anti-virus software to clean the virus

See the following for more info
1)http://antivirus.about.com
2)http://kb.indiana.edu/data/ahll.html
3)http://forum.arstechnica.com

Also reference the Symantec site for info

by cg it

I think that your Boot Sector Antivirus program in the BIOS is already enabled and that when you prepared your drive. If you chose to have Windows create the primary partition on the drive then format it [as part of Windows installation] what has happened it that Windows created a Master Boot Record for the new drive and has to install it. [if your wondering why it takes so long, Windows will automatically do a surface scan to check for bad sectors. Its just part of scan disk and does take a while for a 40 Gig drive]. Choose Y when you see "write to boot sector". This will allow Windows to install the new master boot record on the new drive and then continue with formatting and installation.

by cg it

note: to tell you what section the Boot Sector Antivirus option is in the BIOS, would have to know what mainboard it is. Check the mainboard manual that came with your machine or the makers of your comptuer.

by cvchristensen

The issue you are experiencing has to do with a setting in the BIOS that prevents programs from writing to the boot sector of the disk. You can find the setting in Advanced Setting of the Bios. It is normally taken care of by disabling the embedded trend micro setting in this location.

Your issue is occuring when the OS installation is trying to put a pointer in the boot sector to locate the installed OS. Go ahead and disable the boot sector virus protection in the Bios, complete the OS install, and then turn it back on if you wish.

I hope that this helps,
Chris

by jtpaderes

I accept your response guys and thanks for that, but actually all your suggestions is only applicable for a clone PC, but my Gateway is a defferent one because it does not have the feature of Advance setting in the CMOS or Enabling/Disabling the Virus Detection. But don't worry guys, i already solved the problem, I know you all know this but sometimes we people been forgotten. What I've done is-just to CLEAR the CMOS by removing the battery... and IT WORKS!!! Thanks guys and more power. HAPPY NEW YEAR too!

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