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Virus identity (IDE) files: using on a Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 network

This product is nearing retirement. We strongly recommend that you upgrade in order to ensure your protection stays fully up to date.

This article applies to a Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows NT/2000/XP/2003, version in maintenance, Central Installation Directory (CID) placed on a Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows 2003 computer. For other configurations see the general IDEs article.

Note: Old IDE files are not automatically deleted from Central Installation Directories (CIDs). You should delete them and replace them with IDEs for the correct version.

What to do

  1. Automatic updating with IDE files
  2. Manual updating with IDE files
  3. How to confirm that the IDE files have been loaded

1. Automatic updating with virus identity (IDE) files

Auto-upgrade must have been selected during installation for this to work. See the Windows NT server, Windows 2000, Windows 2003 server and Windows NT/2000/XP peer-to-peer installation guides for details. These instructions assume a default installation on one server. Your setup may be more complex.

Updating Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows 2003 workstations

  1. At the server, copy the IDE files to the CID for Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 workstations. The default on an Intel-based system is C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\NTInst\i386.
  2. At the Windows taskbar, select Start|Run.
  3. Browse to Setup.exe in your CID (see above) and select it.
  4. At the very end of the path in the 'Run' window, type a space followed by /update.
  5. Click OK.
  6. The workstations will update when they next check for a central update.

The final path in step 4 should take the form "C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\NTInst\i386\setup.exe" /update if you update on the server. If you update from a workstation it will be \\<servername>\InterChk\NTInst\i386\Setup.exe /update where <servername> is the name of your server.

Updating Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows Me workstations

  1. At the server, copy the IDE files to the CID for Windows 95/98/Me workstations. The default on an Intel-based system is C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\W95Inst.
  2. At the Windows taskbar, select Start|Run.
  3. Browse to Setup.exe in your CID (see above) and select it.
  4. At the very end of the path in the 'Run' window, type a space followed by /update.
  5. Click OK.
  6. If necessary, click on the 'Done' button.
  7. The workstations will update when they next check for a central update.

The final path should take the form "C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\W95Inst\setup.exe" /update if you update on the server. If you update from a workstation, it will be \\<servername>\InterChk\W95Inst\Setup.exe /update where <servername> is the name of your server.

Updating Macintosh workstations

  1. At the server, copy the IDE files to the CID for Macintosh workstations. The default on an Intel-based system is C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\Macinst\IDE.
  2. The Sophos Anti-Virus on-demand scanner checks for new IDE files each time it is launched. The InterCheck on-access scanner checks each time the Macintosh is started.
  3. You will be prompted to restart the Macintosh, or re-launch Sophos Anti-Virus, as appropriate.

You can also place IDE files in the macinst|IDE folder on the server from a Macintosh.

2. Manual updating with virus identity (IDE) files

Manually updating workstations with new IDEs:

  1. Copy the IDE files to the CID on the server.
  2. Open a command prompt on your workstation. Go to the local installation directory for Sophos Anti-Virus (by default, C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT on Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 and C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP on Windows 95/98/Me).
  3. At the command prompt, type setup.

The workstation will update from the CID on the server.

3. How to confirm that the IDE files have been loaded in Windows NT/2000/XP/2003

If you need more information or guidance, then please contact technical support.