I'm looking for a simple way to remove alterations to ini files made by viruses, e.g., in system.ini "shell=explorer.exe system.com" back to "shell=explorer.exe". I can do it in a round about way with the "Find" command, but there must be a better way. I would appreciate help. Thanks.

I got in trouble last time I asked this, but here goes again...Do you have to do this using exclusively batch files? Can you do it in, say, perl? I wasn't even aware that batch files had file i/o capability. Even if you use a batch file to call a program written in another language??? I think today is my "useless response" day...I seem to be answering questions I don't know a direct answer to. My apologies, it should wear off by the end of the semester...Finals week and all that (must...keep....typing....) -SN

Any language is okay with me. I just don't know any. I can't really find a way to do file I/O, just a work around with dos, using "Find" to write all lines except the one in question to a file, add the right line, then rename the file.

Mark: Some assembly code could do it. I show the code and you enter it using debug.com. Here's my idea: You will still be using "Find" but in stead of you doing the job we make the process automated just by entering the *.ini file to check and a backup file to compare with (the renamed file, right?) I just need some time. If you can wait that long let me know. MYXP

If you can be more specific in exactly what the program should find and replace, I can do it in perl. -SN

I appreciate the friendly response. I found a freeware utility that does the trick, rewriting the entry no matter what the addition was. It's called ChangeINI, and if anyone is interested, it's here: http://elmo.winsite.com/bin/Info?500000027109

<code> This text is red </code> [code] This text is red [/code]