A problem with my computer...

[Rykon Zero]

My computer (Asus Eee PC 900HA) has been having problems for a while.
1. Last night, I went virus hunting to find this spyware thing that keeps popping stuff up in IE. Not a big problem, Just install IE8. Problem is, I didn't think this fast enough, and I may or may not have done something to damage the OS, or perhaps I irritated the virus, because it comes to my second problem.

2. My computer is not working. The log-in goes impeccably, the computer works for a while, then blackness. The screen goes black, the HD stops working, and it stays that way until I force a shut down. There's no BSOD, it just stops working. It's as if a program stops all processes, and urns off the screen. Except the screen isn't off, the backlight is still on. The computer is still on, it's just doing nothing.

I turned it on an hour ago, it went well, I waited for it to finish warming up, then it stopped. The fan is still working, the screen is still lit, there's just nothing going on. It's like starting a computer with no software. It's a cheap computer, but it's the only thing in my life I've worked to buy.

So, do I have a virus, or do I need a re-install of XP? Or should I bite the bullet and go for Windows 7? I'd rather not, mainly because I need to buy a disc reader, because netbooks tend to lack disc drives.

 

[Terronium-12]

My computer (Asus Eee PC 900HA) has been having problems for a while.
1. Last night, I went virus hunting to find this spyware thing that keeps popping stuff up in IE. Not a big problem, Just install IE8. Problem is, I didn't think this fast enough, and I may or may not have done something to damage the OS, or perhaps I irritated the virus, because it comes to my second problem.

2. My computer is not working. The log-in goes impeccably, the computer works for a while, then blackness. The screen goes black, the HD stops working, and it stays that way until I force a shut down. There's no BSOD, it just stops working. It's as if a program stops all processes, and urns off the screen. Except the screen isn't off, the backlight is still on. The computer is still on, it's just doing nothing.

I turned it on an hour ago, it went well, I waited for it to finish warming up, then it stopped. The fan is still working, the screen is still lit, there's just nothing going on. It's like starting a computer with no software. It's a cheap computer, but it's the only thing in my life I've worked to buy.

So, do I have a virus, or do I need a re-install of XP? Or should I bite the bullet and go for Windows 7? I'd rather not, mainly because I need to buy a disc reader, because netbooks tend to lack disc drives.

Sounds like the system32 file was attacked, that or your MBR is shot to hell.

Try repairing the installation, or, explain the problem further so I can properly access any solution.

EDIT: I'm currently in a rush, so, if that doesn't solve the problem PM me or something and I'll get back to you later on tonight.

 

[Rykon Zero]

Sounds like the system32 file was attacked, that or your MBR is shot to hell.

Try repairing the installation, or, explain the problem further so I can properly access any solution.

What the virus did was force it's way into my computer and found the cookies folder under my name, then it input a few lines of code to the index file, therefore pretty much granting a few ads access to IE, which pops up, and is plain annoying. After a while, I just got irritated, ran AVG, it found nothing, so I tried to replace the index file with another from a different account, but the file is locked, and I can't do anything to it. That's also fine, I figured I'd just install IE8. Problem is, I stopped a few processes, and I think that's what killed it.

And, I'll need to buy a DVD reader for my computer to do that. Any way I can do that from another computer?

EDIT: If I haven't made it blatantly clear, the computer doesn't BSOD. It just stops working. It boots fine under safe-mode, but when I go back to normal, it utterly fails.

 

[Terronium-12]

Couple of questions...

Why in the blue world are using the trojan-trap known as Internet Explorer?
And...

Why are you using AVG? Not saying AVG is bad, but I don't find it to be as observant as ESET or even Kaspersky.

I can't recall anything at the moment other then using an external enclosure for the hard drive, hook it up to a computer and go about it that way.
Also, at this point a system restore (just off the top of my head) wouldn't render much use, it's certainly looking like a system repair problem. Doesn't seem the MBR is shot though as you can boot up.

 

[Rykon Zero]

I don't use IE, I use firefox. The virus/wortm thing just invaded and infected IE. There's nothing I can do about it. I also use AVG because I have no money. I would like an antivirus that obliterates anything that tries to get on my computer, though.

 

[Terronium-12]

Check your PM.

 

[Rykon Zero]

Well, quick update, I got it fixed. There's a little partition that has a preinstall environment, or so it says, and I reinstalled my XP. works fine now. A little annoying I lost all of those files, but I have a nice set-up to avoid it from now on.

 

[hamstrings]

When I set up EeePCs, I had a regular DVD-ROM drive attached to a USB-ATA bridge adaptor. Much cheaper than an external DVD-ROM drive for the few times you need it.

 

[SUPER NUMBBER]

Your problem is Windows.

Your solution is Ubuntu.

 

[Casio]

Your problem is Windows.

Your solution is Ubuntu.

Actually it's not.

Sitgnumbers, I recently started using Microsoft Security Essentials, which is completely free and uses very little resources. I found it heaps better to use than my old subscription anti-virus.