got a virus (I think)

[dirtpan]

The other day while surfing I got a norton pop-up that said my computer was under attack. So I disconnected my connection and ran norton but it was out dated. so I removed it and installed AVG and ran it and it removed some cookies ( 14 total)
So I thought the problem was fixed. Boy was I wrong I left the computer unattended and it was on wifi and I guess it finished down load whatever it was. So the problem I have now is when you turn the computer on it goes to start page and when you select the username it Say's loading settings and then it Say's saving settings and goes right back to start page.
I tried running the restore disk that came with the machine and it did not work. So I guess I will have to reformat but the problem is that I have some family photos I need to get off the hard drive but I cannot access. Any one had this problem before? The computer is a HP Pavilion 8000.
Please Help
Thanks

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Welcome to ComputerHope.

Can you try getting into the computer via Safe Mode?

[kizza1645]

The other day while surfing I got a norton pop-up that said my computer was under attack. So I disconnected my connection and ran norton but it was out dated. so I removed it and installed AVG and ran it and it removed some cookies ( 14 total)
So I thought the problem was fixed. Boy was I wrong I left the computer unattended and it was on wifi and I guess it finished down load whatever it was. So the problem I have now is when you turn the computer on it goes to start page and when you select the username it Say's loading settings and then it Say's saving settings and goes right back to start page.
I tried running the restore disk that came with the machine and it did not work. So I guess I will have to reformat but the problem is that I have some family photos I need to get off the hard drive but I cannot access. Any one had this problem before? The computer is a HP Pavilion 8000.
Please Help
Thanks

Well actually I have, but re-formating is only the easy way out,
I used to re-format when ever i got a virus i coulnd't get rid of,
but then i found this forum, and its been smooth sailing,
just wait and see what help you get here before re-formating

[07venky]

Hi

try these instructions , it will get rid of virus

[link removed - http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,69300.msg455894.html#msg455894]

thanks
venky

[dirtpan]

I can not get past the welcome page in any mode. When I use my boot disc it tells me I have something missing ( I wrote it down but don have it in front of me I think it is ngen)
When I click on user it says loading preferences and then immediately says saving settings. It does this in safe mode and in safe it has administrator and when you click it does the same thing I cannot get past this screen with any thing.

[kizza1645]

I can not get past the welcome page in any mode. When I use my boot disc it tells me I have something missing ( I wrote it down but don have it in front of me I think it is ngen)
When I click on user it says loading preferences and then immediately says saving settings. It does this in safe mode and in safe it has administrator and when you click it does the same thing I cannot get past this screen with any thing.

That's actually a tricky little problem, if you can't log in to remove the viruses, then hypothetically there would be no way to remove it via the OS side of things.
But there is most certainly a way to get rid of it, without having to re-format.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Do you have the Windows CD?

Also, what Windows Version is this? XP, Vista, ect...

[dirtpan]

Yes I do have the Windows CD. My system is running windows XP

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Try running a Repair Install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[kianaruiz]

I agree reformatting your computer is one good option to make. Loosing some files is an acceptable thing compared to loosing the whole computer files. Frequently update your anti-virus to prevent acquiring such problems in the future.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I agree reformatting your computer is one good option to make. Loosing some files is an acceptable thing compared to loosing the whole computer files. Frequently update your anti-virus to prevent acquiring such problems in the future.

There are always alternatives to re-formatting.
Formatting is the easy way out.

If you want to save your files, save your computer, and save all the trouble of reinstalling everything, don't reformat.