DOCUMENT:Q79090 17-DEC-2000 [msdos] TITLE :Michaelangelo Virus Disables Floppy Drive PRODUCT :Microsoft Disk Operating System PROD/VER:MS-DOS:3.x,4.x,5.0,5.0a OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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" ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS321 kbMSDOS400 kbMSDOS320 kbMSDOS330a kbMSDOS310 kbMSDOS500 kbMSDOS330 kbMSDOS401 kbMSDOS500a Version : MS-DOS:3.x,4.x,5.0,5.0a ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2000.