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External
Since: Aug 28, 2006
Posts: 1
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(Msg. 1) Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:55 am
Post subject: HELP viruses popups adware etc
Archived from groups: microsoft>public>win98>gen_discussion (more info?)
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I recently inherited a W98 computer and it is inundated with popups, adware,
and a trojan or two that my virus program (eTrust Antivirus) can't get rid
of. There is nothing (programs, files, etc.) of any importance on this
computer and I wouldn't mind doing something to get rid of everything and
starting over from scratch, as a new computer. My problem is that Idon't
know how to do that. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks |
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External
Since: Mar 11, 2006
Posts: 105
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(Msg. 2) Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:15 pm
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"Bill75" wrote in message
> I recently inherited a W98 computer and it is inundated with popups,
adware,
> and a trojan or two that my virus program (eTrust Antivirus) can't get rid
> of. There is nothing (programs, files, etc.) of any importance on this
> computer and I wouldn't mind doing something to get rid of everything and
> starting over from scratch, as a new computer. My problem is that Idon't
> know how to do that. Any help would be appreciated.
> Thanks
Using a clean working computer
[NOT the infected one]
download a Windows 98 bootdisk from
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
or 98SE if you intend to install that.
Copy to a floppy - Use a NEW floppy disk
[If you have used any floppies on the infected computer,
you should consider throwing them away].
Move the slider on the floppy so that the disk is write-protected.
Run the BIOS Setup program on the infected machine,
find the "Boot Options" section,
and set the floppy drive as the Primary Boot Option.
Insert the floppy, and reboot.
At the A prompt, type Format C
Once you get that done, you'll want to copy the contents
of the Win98 folder from the Windows 98 CD
to a similar folder on the now blank hard drive.
You can then proceed with a clean install.
If you can also create a virus scan floppy on a clean machine,
and then run it on the now blank hard drive, so much the better. |
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External
Since: Mar 17, 2004
Posts: 2768
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(Msg. 3) Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 2:41 pm
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Reformatting floppies implies inserting them into an operable system and
accessing them. That simple operation can conceivably infect the system.
Hugh's right, throw them away.
Good point about the fdisk /mbr, though I'm betting that if Quirke was here
he'd be able to relate all kinds of reasons why even that step might not be
enough.
--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
"Franc Zabkar" wrote in message
> On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:15:02 -0700, "Hugh Candlin" put
> finger to keyboard and composed:
>
> >[If you have used any floppies on the infected computer,
> > you should consider throwing them away].
>
> Don't throw them away, just reformat them instead. >> Stay informed about: HELP viruses popups adware etc |
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External
Since: Mar 14, 2004
Posts: 1030
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(Msg. 4) Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 4:39 pm
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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From: "Bill75"
| I recently inherited a W98 computer and it is inundated with popups, adware,
| and a trojan or two that my virus program (eTrust Antivirus) can't get rid
| of. There is nothing (programs, files, etc.) of any importance on this
| computer and I wouldn't mind doing something to get rid of everything and
| starting over from scratch, as a new computer. My problem is that Idon't
| know how to do that. Any help would be appreciated.
| Thanks
Rhe *best* advice for anyone receiving a used computer is to wipe it of all data and
re-install an OS of your coiice !
--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm >> Stay informed about: HELP viruses popups adware etc |
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External
Since: Mar 14, 2004
Posts: 1030
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(Msg. 5) Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:31 pm
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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External
Since: Mar 17, 2004
Posts: 2768
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(Msg. 6) Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:31 pm
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Thanks for the update on Chris and the other excellent info, David. Now I
just gotta try to keep my Keepers folder from getting lost again. (I'm
pretty sure it's not gone, just lost, <s>.)
--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
"David H. Lipman" wrote in message
> From: "Gary S. Terhune"
>
> | Reformatting floppies implies inserting them into an operable system and
> | accessing them. That simple operation can conceivably infect the system.
> | Hugh's right, throw them away.
> |
> | Good point about the fdisk /mbr, though I'm betting that if Quirke was
here
> | he'd be able to relate all kinds of reasons why even that step might not
be
> | enough.
> |
>
> I was emailing with Chris Yesterday. He is quite busy these days.
>
> When it come to Boot Sector Infectors the person who is the subject matter
expert is Zvi
> Netiv of Invrcible.Com.
>
> Zvi doesn't post here. He does occasionally post in
microsoft.public.security.virus
> And posts a little more often in; alt.comp.virus and its sister group
alt.comp.anti-virus
>
> http://www.invircible.com/about.php
>
> Zvi's tool IVinit is the best tool to remove MBR & Boot Sector Infectors.
> http://www.invircible.com/iv_tools.php#Ivinit
>
>
> --
> Dave
> http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
> http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm
>
> >> Stay informed about: HELP viruses popups adware etc |
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External
Since: Sep 03, 2005
Posts: 330
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(Msg. 7) Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:55 am
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:41:46 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune"
put finger to keyboard and composed:
>Reformatting floppies implies inserting them into an operable system and
>accessing them. That simple operation can conceivably infect the system.
I can't see that there is anything to fear from an infected floppy as
long as you don't boot from it or execute any files on it. In fact I
have a whole virus zoo on one particular diskette. If you have any
reservations, then just format your diskettes in DOS mode.
- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email. >> Stay informed about: HELP viruses popups adware etc |
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External
Since: Sep 03, 2005
Posts: 330
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(Msg. 8) Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 7:01 am
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:15:02 -0700, "Hugh Candlin" put
finger to keyboard and composed:
>
>"Bill75" wrote in message
>
>> I recently inherited a W98 computer and it is inundated with popups,
>adware,
>> and a trojan or two that my virus program (eTrust Antivirus) can't get rid
>> of. There is nothing (programs, files, etc.) of any importance on this
>> computer and I wouldn't mind doing something to get rid of everything and
>> starting over from scratch, as a new computer. My problem is that Idon't
>> know how to do that. Any help would be appreciated.
>> Thanks
>
>Using a clean working computer
>[NOT the infected one]
>download a Windows 98 bootdisk from
>
>http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
>
>or 98SE if you intend to install that.
>
>Copy to a floppy - Use a NEW floppy disk
>
>[If you have used any floppies on the infected computer,
> you should consider throwing them away].
Don't throw them away, just reformat them instead.
>Move the slider on the floppy so that the disk is write-protected.
>
>Run the BIOS Setup program on the infected machine,
>find the "Boot Options" section,
>and set the floppy drive as the Primary Boot Option.
>
>Insert the floppy, and reboot.
>
>At the A prompt, type Format C
This will not remove any malware from the MBR.
I'd suggest typing ...
fdisk /mbr
>Once you get that done, you'll want to copy the contents
>of the Win98 folder from the Windows 98 CD
>to a similar folder on the now blank hard drive.
>
>You can then proceed with a clean install.
>
>If you can also create a virus scan floppy on a clean machine,
>and then run it on the now blank hard drive, so much the better.
- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email. >> Stay informed about: HELP viruses popups adware etc |
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External
Since: Mar 14, 2004
Posts: 1030
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(Msg. 9) Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 7:01 am
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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From: "Franc Zabkar"
| On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:15:02 -0700, "Hugh Candlin" put
| finger to keyboard and composed:
|
>> "Bill75" wrote in message
>>
>>> I recently inherited a W98 computer and it is inundated with popups,
>> adware,
>>> and a trojan or two that my virus program (eTrust Antivirus) can't get rid
>>> of. There is nothing (programs, files, etc.) of any importance on this
>>> computer and I wouldn't mind doing something to get rid of everything and
>>> starting over from scratch, as a new computer. My problem is that Idon't
>>> know how to do that. Any help would be appreciated.
>>> Thanks
>>
>> Using a clean working computer
>> [NOT the infected one]
>> download a Windows 98 bootdisk from
>>
>> http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
>>
>> or 98SE if you intend to install that.
>>
>> Copy to a floppy - Use a NEW floppy disk
>>
>> [If you have used any floppies on the infected computer,
>> you should consider throwing them away].
|
| Don't throw them away, just reformat them instead.
|
>> Move the slider on the floppy so that the disk is write-protected.
>>
>> Run the BIOS Setup program on the infected machine,
>> find the "Boot Options" section,
>> and set the floppy drive as the Primary Boot Option.
>>
>> Insert the floppy, and reboot.
>>
>> At the A prompt, type Format C
|
| This will not remove any malware from the MBR.
|
| I'd suggest typing ...
|
| fdisk /mbr
|
And that won't work for Boot Sector Infectors 
--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm >> Stay informed about: HELP viruses popups adware etc |
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External
Since: Jun 21, 2004
Posts: 2951
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(Msg. 10) Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 7:01 am
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"David H. Lipman" wrote in message
| From: "Franc Zabkar"
|
| | On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:15:02 -0700, "Hugh Candlin" put
| | finger to keyboard and composed:
| |
| >> "Bill75" wrote in message
| >>
| >>> I recently inherited a W98 computer and it is inundated with popups,
| >> adware,
| >>> and a trojan or two that my virus program (eTrust Antivirus) can't get rid
| >>> of. There is nothing (programs, files, etc.) of any importance on this
| >>> computer and I wouldn't mind doing something to get rid of everything and
| >>> starting over from scratch, as a new computer. My problem is that Idon't
| >>> know how to do that. Any help would be appreciated.
| >>> Thanks
| >>
| >> Using a clean working computer
| >> [NOT the infected one]
| >> download a Windows 98 bootdisk from
| >>
| >> http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
| >>
| >> or 98SE if you intend to install that.
| >>
| >> Copy to a floppy - Use a NEW floppy disk
| >>
| >> [If you have used any floppies on the infected computer,
| >> you should consider throwing them away].
| |
| | Don't throw them away, just reformat them instead.
| |
| >> Move the slider on the floppy so that the disk is write-protected.
| >>
| >> Run the BIOS Setup program on the infected machine,
| >> find the "Boot Options" section,
| >> and set the floppy drive as the Primary Boot Option.
| >>
| >> Insert the floppy, and reboot.
| >>
| >> At the A prompt, type Format C
| |
| | This will not remove any malware from the MBR.
| |
| | I'd suggest typing ...
| |
| | fdisk /mbr
| |
|
| And that won't work for Boot Sector Infectors
Why? Unless the BIOS itself is infected, the code located in the MBR is the first code on a hard drive to execute. "FDISK /MBR" ensures it is virus free, if done from a virus free Startup Diskette. Then, that code seeks a partition to boot by looking for the one marked Active in the Partition Table (also located in the MBR). The boot sector of the Active partition is hard-coded with the name of the OPERATING SYSTEM that the boot code must load. For Win98, that OS starts with IO.sys (DOS), which eventually leads to Windows. By fresh-installing Windows, IO.sys must be virus free.
So, what else could there be? >> Stay informed about: HELP viruses popups adware etc |
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External
Since: Mar 17, 2004
Posts: 2768
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(Msg. 11) Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 12:24 pm
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Say what you will, I wouldn't put a known infected disk into any system, for
any reason. For instance, from http://kb.iu.edu/data/ahll.html#spread
"Boot sector viruses are usually spread by infected floppy disks. In the
past, these were usually bootable disks, but this is no longer the case. A
floppy disk does not need to be bootable to transmit a boot virus. Any disk
can cause infection if it is in the drive when the computer boots up or
shuts down."
That's just one example of how times have changed. With floppies being so
cheap, why risk it?
Your "virus zoo". Is that a collection of virus *installers* or is the disk
actually infected, with a boot sector virus, for example?
--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
"Franc Zabkar" wrote in message
> On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:41:46 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune"
> put finger to keyboard and composed:
>
>>Reformatting floppies implies inserting them into an operable system and
>>accessing them. That simple operation can conceivably infect the system.
>
> I can't see that there is anything to fear from an infected floppy as
> long as you don't boot from it or execute any files on it. In fact I
> have a whole virus zoo on one particular diskette. If you have any
> reservations, then just format your diskettes in DOS mode.
>
> - Franc Zabkar
> --
> Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email. >> Stay informed about: HELP viruses popups adware etc |
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External
Since: Mar 11, 2006
Posts: 105
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(Msg. 12) Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:51 pm
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"Franc Zabkar" wrote in message
> On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:41:46 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune"
> put finger to keyboard and composed:
>
> >Reformatting floppies implies inserting them into an operable system and
> >accessing them. That simple operation can conceivably infect the system.
>
> I can't see that there is anything to fear from an infected floppy as
> long as you don't boot from it or execute any files on it. In fact I
> have a whole virus zoo on one particular diskette. If you have any
> reservations, then just format your diskettes in DOS mode.
If you don't have reservations, you are either a complete novice,
or something is seriously wrong with your attitude,
one or both of which is unfortunately the case with many people,
as proven by the ease with which malware is spread.
If you know or suspect that a floppy was used in a corrupt PC,
you don't waste time debating boot sector issues.
It goes into the round file, preferably - in my case at least -
after it has been stomped upon. >> Stay informed about: HELP viruses popups adware etc |
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External
Since: Mar 14, 2004
Posts: 1030
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(Msg. 13) Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:34 pm
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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From: "Franc Zabkar"
| On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:41:46 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune"
| put finger to keyboard and composed:
|
>> Reformatting floppies implies inserting them into an operable system and
>> accessing them. That simple operation can conceivably infect the system.
|
| I can't see that there is anything to fear from an infected floppy as
| long as you don't boot from it or execute any files on it. In fact I
| have a whole virus zoo on one particular diskette. If you have any
| reservations, then just format your diskettes in DOS mode.
|
| - Franc Zabkar
Virus Zoo on one floppy ?
More like a pet.
--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm >> Stay informed about: HELP viruses popups adware etc |
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External
Since: Sep 03, 2005
Posts: 330
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(Msg. 14) Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 6:13 pm
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 17:10:14 -0400, "David H. Lipman"
put finger to keyboard and composed:
>From: "Franc Zabkar"
>
>| On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:15:02 -0700, "Hugh Candlin" put
>| finger to keyboard and composed:
>|
>>> "Bill75" wrote in message
>>>
>>>> I recently inherited a W98 computer and it is inundated with popups,
>>> adware,
>>>> and a trojan or two that my virus program (eTrust Antivirus) can't get rid
>>>> of. There is nothing (programs, files, etc.) of any importance on this
>>>> computer and I wouldn't mind doing something to get rid of everything and
>>>> starting over from scratch, as a new computer. My problem is that Idon't
>>>> know how to do that. Any help would be appreciated.
>>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Using a clean working computer
>>> [NOT the infected one]
>>> download a Windows 98 bootdisk from
>>>
>>> http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
>>>
>>> or 98SE if you intend to install that.
>>>
>>> Copy to a floppy - Use a NEW floppy disk
>>>
>>> [If you have used any floppies on the infected computer,
>>> you should consider throwing them away].
>|
>| Don't throw them away, just reformat them instead.
>|
>>> Move the slider on the floppy so that the disk is write-protected.
>>>
>>> Run the BIOS Setup program on the infected machine,
>>> find the "Boot Options" section,
>>> and set the floppy drive as the Primary Boot Option.
>>>
>>> Insert the floppy, and reboot.
>>>
>>> At the A prompt, type Format C
>|
>| This will not remove any malware from the MBR.
>|
>| I'd suggest typing ...
>|
>| fdisk /mbr
>|
>
>And that won't work for Boot Sector Infectors
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that an fdisk /mbr should replace a full
format.
- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email. >> Stay informed about: HELP viruses popups adware etc |
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External
Since: Sep 03, 2005
Posts: 330
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(Msg. 15) Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:55 pm
Post subject: Re: HELP viruses popups adware etc [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Tue, 29 Aug 2006 13:51:17 -0700, "Hugh Candlin" put
finger to keyboard and composed:
>
>"Franc Zabkar" wrote in message
>
>> On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:41:46 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune"
>> put finger to keyboard and composed:
>>
>> >Reformatting floppies implies inserting them into an operable system and
>> >accessing them. That simple operation can conceivably infect the system.
>>
>> I can't see that there is anything to fear from an infected floppy as
>> long as you don't boot from it or execute any files on it. In fact I
>> have a whole virus zoo on one particular diskette. If you have any
>> reservations, then just format your diskettes in DOS mode.
>
>
>If you don't have reservations, you are either a complete novice,
First boot to DOS mode, then insert your infected diskette, and then
type ...
format a: /u
Please explain how a "novice" such as myself can possibly go wrong
with this approach.
>or something is seriously wrong with your attitude,
Trashing your diskettes is a paranoid response. A virus is harmless
unless you execute it.
>one or both of which is unfortunately the case with many people,
>as proven by the ease with which malware is spread.
>
>If you know or suspect that a floppy was used in a corrupt PC,
>you don't waste time debating boot sector issues.
>
>It goes into the round file, preferably - in my case at least -
>after it has been stomped upon.
The only diskettes I have trashed have been those infected with mould.
- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email. >> Stay informed about: HELP viruses popups adware etc |
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