[w33nie]

So a virus won't allow me to boot my parent's computer, it shows the windows logo and then the screen turns black and nothing happens. Same with safe mode. I have the CD, any way to restore the files?

 

[Duggeh]

Have you tried the "last known good configuration" option in the boot menu?

If that doesn't work, then stick the windows cd in the drive, boot from it and put a new install in over the top of the old one, that might heal up the system, but its a messy way to do things. If it does work then take the opportunity to back up all of the photos files and things on the machine and then do a clean reinstall. Then teach your parents how AVG and Spybot work.

 

[fordgtlover]

Which version of Windows?

 

[gotchaforce]

on XP i know for a fact that you can boot from the windows XP cd and then simply choose to "repair" the OS, it simply reinstalls the OS while leaving the files and everything else intact

 

[adanac061]

Be sure to scan with Anti Virus and Anti Spy ware as soon is it boots the first time because the repair will not get rid of the virus.

I recommend a program called "super antispyware" and you can run trend micro's "housecall" with out installing it on you pc.

 

[FrederikS|TPU]

In fail safe go to "Run" and type in MSCONFIG. Most likely there will be an entry there that isn't signed or invalid. You could just enable "Diagnostic Startup" in there and reboot and see what happens. If it is a virus run this little app through safemode McAfee Threat Center

Good luck!

 

[w33nie]

Well, my parents computer is really old, it runs on 256 MB and 2.0 Celeron on XP, and antiviruses only slow down the system and aggravate my dad. I'll try the last good configuration, if that works ill do a system restore. If it doesn't, ill use the repair