its a desk top - I was having trouble with the micorsoft money program - I was advised to restore to a previous point and remove webroot spysweeper as that was the cause of the registery dll issue I had with that program - now I have no use of the whole computer! I think because I cant get to a windows screen, safe mode or not, I have to go to microsoft with this huh? I need someone to get in on the backside to correct this issue.
I do have original install disks etc - but Ill loose all I have on the computer if I do that - can I just reinstall windows do you think?
Have you done a virus scan yet?
The Repair Install recommended by Bare Foot Kid replaces all the system files with new copies from the Vista DVD without deleting your documents and installed apps (hopefully) but do note:
- it's wise to backup your important data files first, just in case.
- it's only available if you have an Update or Retail Vista DVD, not OEM.
- unlike a reformat and fresh install, a repair install (update) will not obliterate all malware. As your installed applications survive, so can a virus's exe file. Therefore it's best to do a thorough virus check and be sure you have killed all malware first.
Depending on the type of damage done by the particular virus, sometimes killing it can fix the problems it causes but sometimes the damage to system files remains even after the virus is no longer active and has been completely removed. Killing it just stops it from being able to do any more damage.
We don't know yet whether a reformat and fresh install will be necessary, but if it turns out to be needed you can copy all your data files (documents, music, images, etc) to another hard disk or DVDs by disconnecting your hard disk and connecting it to another computer (either internally or via a USB adapter) and using Explorer to copy the files off it.