I'm not sure if the person who started this message was just confused or what but some of the things they claim this virus does are out and out bullshit. Software of any kind (virus or not) cannot destroy the computers memory. It can erase it, but it can't destroy it. Likewise with speakers, mice, sound cards and even hard drives. Mice and keyboards CANNOT be infected. What CAN be infected is the software drivers that allow Windows to work with these devices. Translation: "Gee, my mouse does't work anymore". The mouse is not messed up, Windows is. Virus's very definitely CAN mess up whats stored on your hard disk, which of course is where Windows and all of your programs and email are stored. A virus can make you lose everything stored on your computer's hard disk but it CANNOT physically damage the computer itself. Worst case is that you will have to set your computer up from scratch again. Not exactly a pleasant prospect but very different from actually damaging the computer. Your data, yes. The computer itself, no.

I don't know of any particular virus's that do this, but it IS possible for virus's or other programs to mess up cards plugged into the computer, requiring extra steps to revive. But, to my knowledge, you can always revive them. It just takes more work/time. It's also pretty rare.

There are some basic things you can do to protect yourself from virus's and other computer hazards:

1. Get yourself a virus checker/fixer program like McAfee Virus Scan. A shareware version of this is available for free from shareware.com.

2. If you haven't done it yet, scan all of your hard drives. If any problems are found let the program fix them.

3. I have read (and I believe) that you cannot get a virus from simply opening an email. Typically you get the virus from a program "attached" to the email, when you run it (the program). In general you should never run a program sent to you as an attachment from someone you don't know. Ever! Even from people you do know, I recommend saving the file to disk and running a virus checker on it first. If it's clean and it's from someone you know, it's probably ok to run it. You really do always want to virus check it first though. Someone may have a virus on their system and not know it or the mail could potentially be tampered with. It only takes a minute to check it and can literally save you days of pain.

4. Back up your hard disk or at least your important files. By important files, I mean letters, reports, stories, songs, etc.. that cannot be restored some other way. Its best to just back up the entire drive but if that's not an option (usually for financial reasons), at least save the things you spent time on, to floppy disk. Even without virus's, computers mess up and can self destruct (again, they can be revived but it takes a lot of time and you may lose anything you didn't back up). These days, I'd recommend getting a CD recorder for backing up if you can afford it. The prices for these continue to fall and are useful for other things as well as backups (making "best of" CDs, saving pictures, etc...). A CD recorder was rumored to be spotted at a computer show for less than $100. I would recommend getting one with RW capability. This allows you to re-record the CD. The re-recorded CD-RWs cannot be played on conventional CD players but are excellent for backups. These drives also make conventional CDs and CD ROMS.

5. Print out your system configuration information. If you right click on the "My Computer" icon and select "Properties", the "System Properties" dialog appears. Click the "Device Manager" tab then press the "Print" button on the bottom of the dialog. Another "Print" dialog appears. Select "All devices and system summary" then press "OK". The computer will print out a report of virtually all important settings in the computer. Staple all of the printed pages together and write the current date and the name of the computer at the top of the front page (for example: "Bob's studio computer. 10-18-98"). Put this in a manilla folder with all other paperwork that came with your computer and file it someplace. Also be sure to put any CDs or floppy disks that came with your computer or new cards, etc.. in a safe place. If the shit does ever hit the fan, this printout and all of the papers from your computer will be invaluable to the person trying to revive your computer. Again, well worth the few minutes it takes to do it. I usually print out one of these things whenever I change the hardware in my computer (new sound card, etc...). It's a good idea to print one out before and after any changes to the computers hardware (always lable the printout appropriately).

I hope this was of some help. I've been burned by virus's and computer malfunctions in the past and these precautions have helped saved my ass.