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Power Supply Virus????

17 years ago

Talking to a "computer guy" at one of the big box stores about computers. To make a long story short he said something about a virus that gets into the computer's power supply. Says it is active and findable only when the computer is powered down. Supposedly, during downtime, the virus copies files and shoots them and a copy of the virus itself to everyone in the address book when the machine is powered back up and connected to the net. Sounds fishy to me, but ......... Anyone ever hear of such? Oh yeah, also said it primarily targets Acer machines.

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Comments (9)

canibus
17 years ago
its BS. lol
owbist
17 years ago
As canibus says - BS.

However you may well have a virus on the computer.

Regarding the power supply do not attempt to go inside, these are much like televisions in as much as they retain power even after being disconnected from the power supply. You might get a nasty jolt.

What caused you to be speaking with the "computer Guy" that would cause him to make that comment? He obviously does not sell Acer computers. Do you have a problem with the computer?
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
only thing I can think of is that he was trying to talk about rootkits which do not go in the power supply but deep into the system and bios and can be very hard to get rid of since they are quite stealthy.
I know of no such power supply virus.
mikie_gw
17 years ago
I heard about that one.
It eventually runs up the wires into the house current looking for your refrigerator. Because its so hot inside the computer power supply.
grandms
17 years ago
While there it samples all your ice cream! LOL
susanjn
17 years ago
So that's what has been happening to all my ice cream! All this time I've been blaming the poor innocent teens in my house.
aufin
Original Author
17 years ago
Thought so. Never hurts to make sure. I've never heard of such, but I'm not on top of everything, either. Glad I could give you guys a good chuckle. No I don't have a problem right now, just asking for future reference. And, I have no intention of opening up a power supply to take a peek. I know enough about electricity to have a pretty healthy respect. I was talking to him because I was curious about the mini computers they had on display. He didn't seem to think too highly of Acer. That's what I'm using now. Seems to be doing ok so far. Thanks, folks. And, you're right.......it is the teens.
kudzu9
17 years ago
I think I'd stay away from any computer store that was spouting such nonsense...
susanjn
17 years ago
aufin,

This can be a pretty funny forum sometimes. Stick around.

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