No place for my laptop but the trash now

[jriles]

Unless I can get some guidance, it seems I will have no other alternative but to throw my laptop in the trash. I have an HP with Windows XP Professional. My son obviously downloaded something (a long story-some other time) which has completely taken over. After log-in, an anti-virus/malware program downloads and gives me a summary of all the nasty things that are on my computer, then directs me to the screen where I can remove all the nastiness by purchasing and registering their product.

I understand that this is all bogus, but nevertheless, I have lost all control with the laptop. All of the windows related to this bogus program have no close or minimize capability and it was obviously designed to stay put until the user purchases the product (or until they get your credit card info). I can clear the screen by keying the "alt + f4", but once the anti-virus window closes, I have no tool bar or "Start" key. I've tried to key the "Windows" key and have tried to key the "ctrl + esc", but to no avail. No toolbar.

I have also tried to boot-up in safe mode, but the anti-virus still downloads in the same manner as described above.  I viewed some of the suggestions contained within this forum, but with no toolbar or "Start" key, I can't even attempt step one. It also appears that most of the suggestions on how to rid a virus depend on downloading something or visiting some on-line site. I can't even get to a point where I can connect to the internet (or anything else for that matter). I see no other alternative but to throw the thing away.

I had thought about trying to change the configuration and settings back to the configuration and settings that were in place when I purchased the laptop, but when I boot-up and key "f8" I don't seen to have that option. I heard there are reasons for the inability to do this, but I don't know what they are.

Having read the forums here, I know there some very big brains out there. I am hoping someone can help me rid my laptop of this monster, or at least show me how to I can wipe the slate clean and start over. Please?

[Salmon Trout]

You can either reinstall Windows or use the makers system restore feature if there is one.

[jriles]

Thank you for your reply.

Can re-installing Windows be done without having any control over the laptop? Also, if a CD is necessary, I'm not sure I have one anymore. Am I able to purchase one somewhere?

Can you or someone else walk this novice through the steps necessary to re-install Windows or help me locate where the makers system restore feature might be located and/or initiated?

[Salmon Trout]

what make and model is it?

[jriles]

As best I can tell (its been awhile) HP Compaq nc 6220

[Salmon Trout]

If you had the machine from new, did you create a set of recovery CDs when you got it, as advised? if not, you can order an OS install disk

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c00810334

[jriles]

Thank you, sir.  I will order one today.

[SuperDave]

Go to this link to create a Rescue CD or to this site to create a Rescue USB. Carefully follow all the instructions for whichever method you choose.

[Geek-9pm]

Hello, just one more tip.
Your collection of photos and documents may be quite valuable to you. If so, you should give attention to some method of making a backup of all your my documents folder before you attempt to reinstall Windows.
One method is remove and slave the laptop hard drive to a desktop machine using a suitable external USB adapter. This way you can save the contents of the my documents to a backup folder on the desktop machine.