Could This Be A Virus?

[peterhayes]

The other way might be to do a clean boot this will eliminate all addon software and once there you should be able to get rid of the malware see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 for how to do it.

If you haven't got an emergency disk as posted by Chacal something like a Hirens Boot CD (http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd ) or similar could recover the PC without having to reinstall.

However, if it was me and the situation has got as serious as you say - I would first try an in place upgrade (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2255099 which repairs without destroying anything) and if that did not work consider reformatting the drive and carry out a clean install of Windows.

Good luck with this one
PeterH

[Ericmopar]

You can install Malwarebytes, even it it's just temporary, and use these tools to get it running and kill whatever it is.
Kaspersky also has tools and an ability to kill almost anything.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/other_tools/

If you can recover your PC enough to backup files, then I would still do a clean install afterwards.

[arizonachris]

I can't do anything on my computer at all. I get to the login screen, I then log in and the whole screen goes completely white. There's no way I can open the task manager or start menu or anything. Safe mode and safe mode with networking do not work.

No, you don't look dumb at all, so don't think that. You just have a lot of info coming at you to sort thru. And at this point, as I said a little earlier, an option for you is to take that infected hard drive out and hook it to another PC or a laptop, using an inexpensive USB dock. What are you using to post here now? Then you can install Malwarebytes on the PC the external hard drive is connected to and wipe that virus. I mean, that's what Best Buy or whoever will do. Side cover off, a couple of screws, two connectors and go.

[Ericmopar]

This thread is enough to scare someone into doing a dual-boot PC with some basic form of Linux on it, so you can work with the damaged Windows OS....

[mojo12012]

I feel like I haven't made this entirely clear I can't do anything on my computer at all. I get to the login screen, I then log in and the whole screen goes completely white. There's no way I can open the task manager or start menu or anything. Safe mode and safe mode with networking do not work. I really don't want to have to shell out the money at Best Buy or Staples but then again I don't want I have to wipe it. I still have to try some of the options you guys referred to me. You guys really make me look dumb when it comes to computers! Really appreciate the help guys.

Malwarebytes helps you get around this by intercepting the boot up so this nasty can't step in and lock down your computer. You need to go to the site and follow the instructions and download what is needed. Obviously you need access via an unaffected computer but it does work, and you don't have to wipe anything. Give it a try.

[mojo12012]

Also, just to add to the paranoia the next big thing is CryptoLocker, the one that encrypts all your data and won't let you unencrypt it unless you pay a ransom, which of course doesn't work. You can get rid of the virus/malware but your data is still encrypted, and eventually you lose it. Besides the obvious constant backing up there is a preventative tool called CryptoPrevent. It's free, unless you chose to pay for automatic updates. It's been recommended by one of our computer magazines in the UK and prevents this particular nasty establishing itself on your system. Just be careful! They really are out to get you

[HankySpanky]

NS9030 - What brand antivirus program were you using when you got this bug and how long had you had it installed prior to the crash? Also, were you seeing that it was updating regularly?

[NS9030]

I am posting this from my iPhone. I will download malwarebytes this evening on my fathers computer and see if that works, and the first thing I will do is back up every single file I have. Yea and cryptolocker, that one scares me, this one not so much, but that is crazy that people actually make those for a living. I'm anxious to update my dash 8 and my game as a whole. Well I will report back here when it's done, thanks for the help! Even if this doesn't work you guys have provided me with quite a few options. Thanks again.

-Owen