Browser Hijacked- Enter a website address but takes me to different address!

Can you upload this file too? just to check it.
C:\SWSetup\HDD\iastor.sys

Looks like that file is clean!

http://virusscan.jotti.org/en/scanresult/445770ecd1c66bbfa12e4d9b835ff72683c1b13b

Hello.

Please go to Start > Run, and type in cmd > hit Enter.

In the black box that comes up please copy the text in bold below into the command prompt window and hit enter.

copy /y "C:\SWSetup\HDD\iastor.sys" C:\

If it works correctly you will see a 1 file(s) copied message.
If you do not see that message, then DO NOT carry on with the rest of these instructions.

1. Please download The Avenger by Swandog46 to your Desktop
Link: HERE

• Click on Avenger.zip to open the file
  
• Extract avenger.exe to your desktop
  

2. Copy all the text contained in the code box below to your Clipboard by highlighting it and pressing (Ctrl+C):

Files to move:
C:\SWSetup\HDD\iastor.sys | C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\iaStor.sys

Note: the above code was created specifically for this user. If you are not this user, do NOT follow these directions as they could damage the workings of your system.

3. Now, start The Avenger program by clicking on its icon on your desktop.

• Under "Input script here:", paste in the script from the quote box above.
  
• Leave the ticked box "Scan for rootkit" ticked.
  
• Then tick "Disable any rootkits found"
  
• Now click on the Execute to begin execution of the script.
  
• Answer "Yes" twice when prompted.
  
  The Avenger will automatically do the following:
  
  
• It will Restart your computer.
  
• On reboot, it will briefly open a black command window on your desktop, this is normal.
  
• After the restart, it creates a log file that should open with the results of Avenger’s actions. This log file will be located at C:\avenger.txt
  
• The Avenger will also have backed up all the files, etc., that you asked it to delete, and will have zipped them and moved the zip archives to C:\avenger\backup.zip.
  

4. Please copy/paste the content of c:\avenger.txt into your reply.

I wish I could, but now my computer won't even turn on properly! It starts up with the screen that says "Your comp wasn't shut down properly, etc." then asks which mode I want to start the computer in.. I tried regular, safe mode, etc. but it won't let me start in any mode. All it does is automatically restart the same process over and over and over again... any insight??

(I'm typing this from my desktop, its my laptop that is on the fritz)

Yikes, sounds like the malware has caused more damage than I originally suspected. Do you have your XP disc?

I'm gonna have to check if work has one tomorrow. In the meantime, is there any other way to fix it? I'm even willing to reformat the computer(everything has already been saved, backed up, etc. and don't need anything on it). Thanks!

Well, formatting would fix everything, including the malware issue, but it's your choice on that matter. I was gonna suggest we try a repair install first though.

ok im fine with that. still cant find a disk, are there other ways to fix without it? otherwise, iwill have to find one from friends or something. otherwise, reformatting is fine too. you're the pro! thanks!

Reformating isn't possible without a disc, neither is repair install. Only other thing is a factory restore if your machine has that option.

I have my Windows XP disc now, would prefer to do a reformat.

I tried loading the disc onto my laptop, but same issue is happening. Windows logo appears, then takes me to the page that give me options for safe mode, regular mode, etc. Regardless of which option I choose, it shows a quick screen of a bunch of script running, then goes back to the windows logo and the process repeats.

I tried pushing F9, F10, F11, F12, ESC, etc. during the logos boot-up but still no luck.. any ideas??

Okay, insert the Windows disc and reboot the machine.
There should be a point it says "Press any key to boot from cd..."

Hit something, and it launches the CD.

When should I do a reformat and reinstallation of my OS

Unfortunately, the system doesn't even the opportunity to recognize the disk so it can't boot from there. It simply keeps rebooting itself over and over again.

Fine, guess we may have to force it to boot from the disc.
We'll need to go into the BIOS to do this. See here on how to do that, it's hard to describe since every BIOS is different.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ss/bootorderchange.htm