Virus? System keeps rebooting...

[badoodle]

Here's my problem:

Turn on laptop and get black screen with message offering my choice of start up options: 3 versions of safe mode, last known working configuration, and "normally." No matter which one I pick, I get a blue screen that flashes by quicker than you can blink. All I've been able to tell is that it wants me to check my system for viruses.

I would gladly do that but I can't get past this mess! I have my start up disks so I can reformat the hard drive, but I've got about 2G of personal files that I don't want to lose. I got plenty of CDs to back that info up with, but (1) I can't figure out how to access those files and (2) I'm worried they could be infected and I'm just reinfect my system when I tried to transfer them back.

Is it possible for me to get rid of this virus AND save my files?

Any help would be UBER-appreciated!

[corturbra]

Hi, welcome to windrivers


Can you let us know please what version of Windows you have? (it sounds like 2000/XP)

If you suspect a virus, then you'll need to create a floppy/CD with a virus scanner on it to check for viruses, there are some links around here somewhere for that purpose, I'll have a rummage and see what I can find.

Don't worry about your data, there are means and ways of getting the information off providing that the hard drive is still functional. Do you have access to a PC that you can get the lid off at all?

[badoodle]

I'm running Windows XP Home edition.

The only other computer I have access to is another laptop.

Thank you so much for responding!!

[NooNoo]

OK, what model laptops are they? Some companies only provide restore cds that destroy all data and reload, others provide a method of just reloading windows. If you can do the reload without the format, or at least get to recovery console, then you are in business.

[TripleRLtd]

I'm running Windows XP Home edition.

The only other computer I have access to is another laptop.

Thank you so much for responding!!You can also try a bootable cd with AV on it such as Norton AV. The "other' pc option was to connect it to that pc and do a virus scan.
Do you know anyone with Norton AV 2004? If so, borrow it and boot with it and run a scan. If you install it you get a few weeks trial for it. It's too bad we don't know what blue screen message you are getting. If it is a virus, or malware, even doing a repair install will not help since you still will have the virus. So, we need to get rid of it to save your data.
Good luck.http://forums.windrivers.com/images/smilies/thumbs.gif

[badoodle]

My sister has an older version of Norton on her laptop but she has no clue where the original disks are...

I'm so useless -- sorry I'm not giving you guys enough to work with. At this point I'm almost ready to give up and pay the guys at CompUSA the $250(!) they want to fix it =(

[NooNoo]

Give us a model number and we can start extrapolating!!

[badoodle]

Give us a model number and we can start extrapolating!!

Oooh, a question I can answer!

It's a Compaq Presario 2100 with XP Home edition and CD ROM drive.

And it hates me ;)

[NooNoo]

OK, now tell us about the restore cds you have, what is written on each of the cds?

oh great, there is loads of 2100s (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/swPfinder?query=presario+2100&tool=softwareCategory&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en) can you identify which one from that list?

[badoodle]

Presario 2105US

I've got 5 disks total:

Compaq Operating System CD: Microsoft Windows XP Home SP1

and disks 1, 2, 3 and 4
Compaq QuickRestore System Recovery CD: Microsoft Windows XP Home SP1

[NooNoo]

Compaq Operating System CD: Microsoft Windows XP Home SP1 is the one you want.
Shove cdrom in orofice and start computer, the quick restore option should be available. Allow setup to apparently start and then it will offer you the "r" for repair option. Take that, when you get to the black and white screen, it will want your user and password or you may have to type in Administrator and hit enter to signify no password.

now type in

chkdsk /r
and press enter
let it run. When its done, remove the restore cd, turn off the laptop and start it up again... cross fingers

[badoodle]

You are my shining star. :D

Muchas gracias!

[NooNoo]

:)

[bbaird]

:)
I was having a problem with a compaq laptop, and via google ran across your post. I did what you suggested for the other user and it worked just fine. Thanks for your post. I signed up with WinDrivers just to say thanks to you.
Bruce Baird :)

[NooNoo]

I was having a problem with a compaq laptop, and via google ran across your post. I did what you suggested for the other user and it worked just fine. Thanks for your post. I signed up with WinDrivers just to say thanks to you.
Bruce Baird :)
It's what we are here for - thanks for taking the time to post, it makes it all worthwhile :)