[frankjohn]

Are there important files on the hard drive that you want to keep?

[Old Rich]

Originally Posted by simpswr

Time to let the big kids look over your system . . go here for instructions:

http://forums.techguy.org/malware-re...st-before.html

[frankjohn]

I agree, Simpswr but where are they?

[Old Rich]

Originally Posted by frankjohn

I agree, Simpswr but where are they?

Did you follow the link I gave you for instructions??

[axeman666]

Yeah, sorry for the delay. I went to the link and installed HijackThis. Once installed, same problem; I click the icon but no program appears.

Then I browsed the threads of that forum and found someone with a very similar problem (security progs blocked etc.) so I followed the advice give by them to download the latest Java JRE 6 Update 14 (without Sun Downloader). Then I deleted all instances of Java in the control panel>add/remove programs. Turns out there were 6 versions all around 100mb in size. After a reboot, I installed JRE 6 Up 14.

[Old Rich]

Sounds like an infection . . start a post in the HJT forum and the gurus can help you.

[axeman666]

And yes, I have too much material I want to keep to even begin considering backup. Especially since my D: and E: drives are unable to burn anything.

[axeman666]

You're right, I'll go ahead and do that. Still, thank you both for the advice.

[Old Rich]

Originally Posted by axeman666

And yes, I have too much material I want to keep to even begin considering backup. Especially since my D: and E: drives are unable to burn anything.

If you cherish your data, you can take the drives out and attach it in place of a cd/dvd drive in a working pc with up to date antivirus to salvage the data. otherwise, you have a good chance of loosing it all