I have a Compaq laptop that is 5 years old and it contracted a virus yesterday afternoon. I logged on yesterday morning to check email. There was no problem. I logged off and went out. I returned home and logged on again with no problem until I clicked on Internet Explorer. My computer went crazy. A large box popped up in the middle of the screen and it said safety security. It went on to say that internet explorer was allowed to come up but was shut down because a virus was detected that would affect my OS system and that I needed to download modules and allow the system to do a complete computer scan. I was allowed to still use my applications on the desktop as long as I did not try to access the internet. I thought I would try to restore my computer to the day before. I went into start, programs, accessories, system tools and then restore. But this box kept popping up. Now in the bottom of that box it asked two questions. Did I want to proceed and add the modules and do a system scan or did I want to proceed without the modules and system scan. I kept clicking on proceed without the modules and system scan as I have Norton's anti virus. Then I got another screen that wanted all my personal information and credit card information and they wanted to charge me for virus protection. I clicked out of it and then could not get rid of it. At that point I was not able to do the normal system restore because the big box blocked everything and I could not get behind it or move it. I was able to print the instruction giving me step by step information to restore my computer using the disc which came with the computer. I followed the steps then it said that if I was not able to restore it than repair the operating system. I followed all the steps and then realized that it looked to me as if it was restoring my computer as if it was a new computer. I installed the CD marked application recovery cd but the computer said that I was installing the wrong CD so I tried the operating system CD and It took me to a license agreement page and I clicked F8 to accept the agreement and them R to repair the selected windows installation. Then it was asking me to insert the Windows XP CD so that it could complete the process. I then got scared and canceled out. I think it has wiped out everything on my lap top. I have not backed up anything in the 5 years I have had it. I have years of family pictures on it along with other very vital information. Have I gone to far? I am now using my netbook to email. Is there anyway to remove the virus from my compaq and possibly restore my information. Or have I lost everything. I have unplugged the compaq and unplugged the internet from it. Now when I turn it on it takes me to the compaq screen and then to the windows XP screen. Then it takes me to a blue screen that says windows xp in the upper left top corner and then on the left side it has a list of steps with round green circles next to each one and as it completed each step it put a green light inside the circle. It has stopped where it wants me to install the windows xp CD. The computer will not let me go past that step. I also tried F8 to see if I could restore it in a safe mode and it will not allow me to do anything. I need help, please. Can anyone tell me what I can do. I am not computer literate but I am good with following step by step instructions. Please help. I am new to this site but you came highly recommended by a few people that I know.
Thank you
Wendy11365
Thank you
Wendy11365