Vista/Possible Virus Problem

[oxymoron5k]

Well when I load up my computer normally i usually get stuck at the welcome screen but sometimes I manage to see my desktop frozen within seconds of it appearing. Cause?

About a week ago I downloaded AVI video editor software through bit torrent. That day after using it my computer began acting up (started freezing and being very slow) another day went by like this and then it just completely shut down and went to the way it is now. I really don't know if the AVI file is the problem or just happpen'd to be there while my computer broke down. Right now I'm in safe mode and thats the only way I can do anything. I am contemplating reformating my whole computer but I dont have Vista on a disc, It ethier came loaded on the computer or I lost the disc (I bought my computer, HP M8530f 8 months ago at best buy)

attempted solutions or fixes

System restore to as far back as i could have gone (about a week, which should have been plenty since it was fine at that time)

Downloaded spybot S&D and AVG and ran the scans (these are the only main free virus/spyware programs I know).

run-msconfig-startup-hid the microsoft programs and deleted everything else

Help Plz!!!!

 

[RHochstenbach]

Welcome to HWF :)

When you're stuck at the welcome screen, does it keep loading or do you see a black screen? If it keeps loading, then it's caused by an update from Microsoft (is a known issue). In that case, load up Safe Mode and go to Control Panel. At the Add/Remove programs, check the option Show updates. Then remove all updates that have been installed in the last week.

If you see a black screen, then boot the system in VGA mode.

 

[Machistmo]

First off your disk may not look like a typical Windows disk. It cuold be white and say something like " OEM OS INSTALL " etc. So search through the disks that came with the machine again and read each carefully.

Secondly, boot the system in safe mode and remove the offending program. Bit Torrent programs often replicate themselves into many directories and run open socket connections on your machine that you may not be aware of. Open task manager and check to see that that program is not running several copies of itself. If it is run a search and remove these copies.