Blue Screen

[BorVorius]

My friend just lost her laptop to what appears to be some sort of a virus. Every time she turns on her computer, it shows the "Windows did not restart normally" screen and gives the options for how to retry starting the machine. (Regular, Safe Mode) Etc. This is where the real problem starts.

Every option she can choose leads to a blue screen. This blue screen says something about shutting down because of a possible virus, and to try rebooting. This goes back to square one and she cannot get out of the cycle.

I am sorry for the lack of info, and if needed I will try to get more. This friend of mine isn't too technically inclined, so the details are still a little hazy.

Overall, is there any way these kinds of issues can be resolved? Any help anyone could lend is SO appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[UNSCSpartan3]

looks like your going to have to reinstall windows xp... 

[BorVorius]

Thanks for the reply. Does this mean all of the data is lost? Is there any way to retrieve the files on the hard drive?

[UNSCSpartan3]

well yes and no... you might be able to re install windows then purchase a file recovery tool

[BorVorius]

Darn. Well thanks for the reply, anyway. I will try to scavenge whatever files I can.

[UNSCSpartan3]

good luck

[soybean]

Wait!   There's a way to get the files she wants to keep before you reinstall windows xp, assuming the hard drive is still working.  Download a Linux OS such as Ubuntu and burn the downloaded ISO file to CD or DVD.  Ubuntu, and some other Linux OS can be run from the CD/DVD drive; in other words, they do not need to be installed on the hard drive to run.  By running the Linux OS off the CD/DVD drive, you can navigate to files on the hard drive and retrieve them by copying them to a flash drive. 

[Allan]

You should go to the malware section of this forum and post the problem there. Let one of CH's malware specialists see if he can help. DO NOT transfer potentially infected files to another system.

At the very least, run a boot time anti virus scan.

[Broni]

You should go to the malware section of this forum and post the problem there

Definitely. There are tools to access your computer from an external source.

[BorVorius]

I will try this! Thanks so much guys, I am glad I decided to look here on last time! Crossing fingers =]

[patio]

well yes and no... you might be able to re install windows then purchase a file recovery tool

Most ridiculous advice i've seen here this Year...

[Allan]

Most ridiculous advice i've seen here this Year...

Then you haven't read the rest of his posts.