Locating the latest virus definitions

The Symantec Recovery Disk CD includes virus definitions. However, to help protect your computer from the latest threats, you should use the latest virus definitions that are available. The Update Locator locates the latest virus definitions that are available from Symantec. You must run the Update Locator on a working computer that has Internet access. You can save the virus definitions to a disk and then use them on the troubled computer.

Note:

Depending on which version of the product you have purchased, Symantec Recovery Disk is either included on your product CD, or as a separate CD. You should place the CD containing Symantec Recovery Disk in a safe place. Should you lose the CD, you can create a new one if you have a CD burner. See If driver validation fails in the Norton Ghost User's Guide.

To locate the latest virus definitions

  1. Insert the Symantec Recovery Disk CD into the media drive of the computer.

    The installation program should start automatically.

  2. If the installation program does not start, on the Windows taskbar, click Start > Run, type the following command, then click OK.

    <drive>:\autorun.exe

    where <drive> is the drive letter of your media drive.

    For Windows Vista, if the Run option is not visible, do the following:

    • Right-click the Start button, and click Properties.

    • On the Start Menu tab, click Customize.

    • Scroll down and select Run command.

    • Click OK.

  3. Click Run Update Locator.

  4. Click Find and retrieve virus definitions.

    If more recent virus definitions are not found, you can still scan for viruses on your damaged computer by using the virus definitions that are on the Symantec Recovery Disk CD. However, the computer might not be protected from new viruses or threats.

  5. When prompted, click OK.

  6. Do one of the following:

    • Insert a floppy disk into the floppy disk drive.

    • Insert a blank, writable CD or DVD into the computer's CD or DVD recordable drive.

  7. Locate the newly created Update Locator Virus Definitions folder on your computer's desktop and copy it to the blank disk.