Re: A89: Virus Scanner for the 89


[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

Re: A89: Virus Scanner for the 89




The user archive memory is not actual powered ram, as is the normal memory
(the same type as is in your computer).  It is the same kind that is in the
FLASH-ROM, which would be an EPROM, I assume.  It's also known as
non-volatile ram, the same kind that stores your bios settings.

The problem with this memory is that it can only be written to a finite
number of times before it "burns out".  I have heard this number range from
ten thousand to a million times.  This may seem like alot, but it is really
not.  A normal program (ex. game) might write to a memory location at least
this many times, hence it cannot be used as normal ram.  A program that did
this (either intentionally or unintentionally) would burn out or destroy
the eprom.

I'm no expert in hardware, so I'm not exactly sure what would happen, but
I'm sure it's not good.  I guess that it would render the entire memory
chip unstable and useless.  On the 89, this is probably the entire archive,
and possible the entire flash rom as well.  Thus a program that
"Archive("ed a variable a million times would damage the calc.

As a semi-off-topic side note, I was wondering a few months ago if it would
be possible to destroy a computer's bios by writting to the memory
continuously.  This would keep the bios from recording the correct states
for memory, disk drives, the motherboard, etc., rendering the computer
useless.  It's a scary thought that software could actually destroy
hardware...

At 10:05 PM 9/26/98 +0000, you wrote: 
>>>>
At 10:44 PM 9/26/98, TurboSoft@aol.com said:
>makes having a sort of program that will scan for this type of virus is kinda
>important.  Perhaps if the program would scan for the  Archive(  commmand
then
>that may be sufficient.
> 

question.  what does the archive( command have to do with screwing over the
calc?
{-kimo-} 
Dogs love BOB cause he's crazy sniffable!
__________________________________________ 




--
David Phillips
mailto:electrum@tfs.net
ICQ: 13811951
AOL/AIM: Electrum32


Follow-Ups: