Gaming I "bricked" my computer D: Need help ASAP

[War]

I have very limited access to the internet right now since I'm using my mom's Mac, which she never ever lets me use... ever. Anyway, let me get to the problem. So today was a typical day, I was on GBAtemp and ignoring my homework as usual. I realized I hadn't scanned my computer for viruses in a long time, so I ran NOD32 and started downloading Avast! Everything was going smoothly, and suddenly, NOD32 lets me know there's an infected file. It told me it had quarantined it, so I figured I was fine. So I finish downloading Avast, and I go to install it. By the end of the installation, it tells me I have to reboot the computer for it to take effect. Since NOD32 was still running, I said no. Here's where things get strange.

Even though I clearly clicked on "no", the computer started to close everything. I realized it was shutting down... that's odd, I thought. Didn't think much of it. So the computer starts up, goes to the welcome screen... and here's my problem. It goes past the welcome screen, and displays my wallpaper... and that's it. Literally the only things I can see are my wallpaper and my mouse. Nothing else. I tried CTRL ALT DEL, right-clicking, etc. Nothing works.

So at this point I'm wondering what the hell Im supposed to do... I know you guys are probably gonna tell me to re-install Windows XP, but I don't want to do that unless there's absolutely no other option. I have a lot of important stuff I don't want to wipe, so it would be a big loss for me... however, if thats what it takes to recover my computer, then so be it. Anyway, I'm hoping you guys can offer me some other solutions.

Let's say, however, that the ONLY solution is to reinstall Windows XP. How exactly would I do this? Thankfully, I have my mom's laptop, which she agreed to let me download Windows XP in. So do I just download Windows XP, burn it onto a DVD, and then... what? I was trying to fix my computer, and I noticed that there's a sort of boot menu as the computer starts. I think I remember someone telling me that I wold have to insert the DVD with XP in it, then click F2 or whatever it is to go to the settings, and choose to boot from the DVD drive... I'm not sure though. Please guys, take your time to explain it DETAILED to me. I will have very minimal internet access, so I need straight forward and detailed answers. Thank you very much!

 

[Diablo1123]

It would be possible to back stuff up by booting into Ubuntu via Live CD and having some sort of external storage probably.

Windows XP can fit on a CD

To boot from a CD (To install Windows XP or for Ubuntu) you have to go into the BIOS and set the boot priority to CD before Hard drive. The BIOS is mostly accessed by pressing some button on a keyboard at startup. I forget if its F10, F2, or Delete, so just press them all at once.

The installation is pretty self-explanatory for Windows XP.

 

[Maybe]

Ouch, sorry for that =/ I have minimal knowledge about messed up PC's, so the only thing I can think of that would make sense is to try and boot it in safe mode (f8 during bootup) and trying a system restore to a few days or w/e. I don't even know if that would work. Sorry again, and good luck figuring it out

 

[TLSpartan]

You may have to re install XP. As for getting your 'important' files off, you can use a GNU/Linux Live CD. Don't bother with Ubuntu or anything big. Puppy Linux should do the trick just fine. Boot whatever distro you chose and copy the files somewhere else. Reinstalling XP is easy as well

 

[matrix121391]

If you can afford it, call an expert computer technician. He or she will know exactly what to do.

 

[War]

Well actually, I realized that most of my REALLY important stuff that would be hard to get back is luckily in my external HDD. So is there a way to do a system restore without accessing the desktop?

Just in case, I'm downloading XP on my mom's computer as we speak. I'm gonna leave it downloading overnight.

Thank you for letting me know how to boot it Diablo, sounds easy enough.

Btw, something weird is hapening... I went to show my mom what was wrong, and something new happened. Before the welcome screen, now it said that is was checking the hard disc and restoring "orphan files"... I guess it realized something was going on and attempted to fix it? I'll let you guys know what happens.

 

[air2004]

You could use another computer and download erd commander that will atleast let you boot the OS from a disk and you can hopefully copy and save your important files to another hard drive the other thing to try is ..... hit control alt delete , if the task manger pops up go to ... File , in the drop down box hit new task and tyoe explorer.exe and see if that helps , if you type iexplorer.exe that should open your browser

 

[air2004]

one more thing when reinstalling be sure to do a fresh install , that requiers you to delete the partion , then recreate , and if the hard drive is big enough I suggest you create 2 partions this way you can save your important shit to the other partion just incase this ever happens again you wont lose your important shit. Deleting the partion helps in the fact that when you recreate it , you will have a new master boot record.

 

[War]

You could use another computer and download erd commander that will atleast let you boot the OS from a disk and you can hopefully copy and save your important files to another hard drive the other thing to try is ..... hit control alt delete , if the task manger pops up go to ... File , in the drop down box hit new task and tyoe explorer.exe and see if that helps , if you type iexplorer.exe that should open your browser

Like I mentioned above, all it shows is my wallpaper. I can't see any icons, open any windows, etc.

 

[DEF-]

Boot it into safe mode with F8 (just after the bios screen disapear, hammer F8). You should be able to fix it from there, system restore, scan for viruses, etc.

You can also boot to a minimal type of OS (ubuntu live cd, win pe) and copy the files to an external storage, as someone else said.

If you have a virus many manufacturers have boot cds which you can boot up your computer with to remove viruses.

When you choose the path to reinstall XP, you can try to reinstall a new XP over the previous one, might save you some time if that fixes it. Have worked a few times for me. Just choose new installation but pick the same installation destination as the old XP.

Just a few tips.

 

[Fun_Zephyr]

It is very strange that CTRL ALT DEL did not come up with something. What you have described is the result o fa virus going round at the moment. If you had CTRL ALT DEL (Task Manager) you would be able to complete a few things.

Try booting the computer into SAFE MODE. Turn the computer on and before it starts to load XP you need to push F8. My suggestions is to just keep tapping the F8 key.

Once in safe mode and if you get a desktop:

Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools System Restore (Might be slightly different if you us ea different Menu type)

Once the screen appears (Select to restore your computer to an earlier time. Select a date prior to when it broke down and start the restore.

No guarantee this will work but it might help you.

 

[wzeroc]

well, why don't you first uninstall one of the antivirus? if you use two antivirus at once, of course the computer won't work properly.

why did you install avast, anyway? you've already got nod32, should be good enough for virus protection.

edit: oh yeah, forgot. enter safe mode to uninstall.

 

[War]

Ok, thank you for the information! So far, I have entered "Safe Mode with Networking". I'm gonna try to do a system restore. Any other things I should do in safe mode? Run NOD32 again?

And the reason why I downloaded Avast is because I wanted to rely on something else other than NOD32...sometimes NOD says it doesn't find anything but there are still adware and viruses.

 

[air2004]

if your gonna use a free antivirus you should look in to avg for free heres the link
http://free.avg.com/download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition
I use to use avg till I decided to pirate nortons for my newer computer

the only bad thing I can say about avg is , is that it treats all keygens like virus weather they are or not. The only way to use a key gen under avg is to disable avg first. just the antivirus part that is.

Control alt delete should work regardless of weather you see any desktop icons or not. as soon as you see the desktop just do like i told ya in the 1st post.

 

[wzeroc]

well then, before you do anything, uninstall nod32. after uninstalling nod32, restart your computer first and try to login normally tou your windows.

 

[EmperorOfCanada]

Safe mode is the first thing I would try so let us know how that works as soon as you know

Are you on a Desktop or Laptop (the computer thats having the problem, not your moms)

 

[War]

Phew, what a relief! I honestly do not say this often enough, but thanks everyone here in GBAtemp that helped me out with this; I finally fixed it! I went into safe mode and simply did a system restore, now everything is fine and working as good as it was before. Thank heavens, man... I nearly had a heart attack.

At least now I know what do if this ever happens again. (Hopefully not!) Once again, thank you very VERY much!

(Btw, I'm posting from the desktop now :])

 

[air2004]

Glad to hear it . you should look into a regisrty cleaner , I use ace utilities , you will be surprised at how crap is sitting on the computer

 

[EmperorOfCanada]

Phew, what a relief! I honestly do not say this often enough, but thanks everyone here in GBAtemp that helped me out with this; I finally fixed it! I went into safe mode and simply did a system restore, now everything is fine and working as good as it was before. Thank heavens, man... I nearly had a heart attack.

At least now I know what do if this ever happens again. (Hopefully not!) Once again, thank you very VERY much!

(Btw, I'm posting from the desktop now :])

Good to have you back

 

[AeroHex]

i had something very like that but,

i got to the login and it had a light blue thing i had to open task manager and kill this trojan and i went from there but im happy when people fix virus's up the liitle ****s ive formatted my computer about 7-8 times seriously untill it but the dust and wouldnt even turn on,i think i blew a fuse or ****ed up the motherboard but thats another story

may i ask what were you doing before you scanned.....porn.....lol