Mark wrote: > > this confuses me because i've heard that it's bad to install an AV program > and expect it to clean your system if your computer is infected prior to > installation. is this true or not? ALL anti-virus programs have a method of removing a virus before they are installed. Check the documents and instructions that come with the program. Many will automatically check for a virus as the FIRST STEP of the installation. Others will have instructions that tell you if you have a virus NOW, then do...... (whatever it says.) -- Jim Meagher ============================ Micro Solutions Consulting Web Design, Network Administration [log in to unmask] Hard/software Installation, Service http://www.ezy.net/~microsol 410-543-8996 ============================ PCSOFT: http://nospin.com or [log in to unmask]