My desktop broke - Hardware & Software

First off let me give out my specs: C2Q @2.4GHz 3GB RAM 500GBHDD model WD5000AAKS (it used to be 500GB X2, though my unused HDD died) Windows Vista Home Premium 8500GT GPU I've had this computer for exactly two years (last week was the 2 year "anniversary" actually). It had its problems in the past, like starting up in like 10-20 minutes -- actually those were the only ones. I had a virus problem at about 2 months into the computer, so I decided to use up my free McAfee subscription which I get with my subscription to Comcast. McAfee fixed the problems, though just to be sure I got the free AVG software also installed onto my computer. About 6 months ago, I noticed that my 2nd HDD had died on me, and 500GB of free storage went right down the pooper. Last night, everything was working normally. This morning, I woke up and couldn't use FireFox. When I tried starting it, I'd get an error like "this application is not compatible with Win32" (or something like that). I was like "wtf". I tried starting Google Chrome, and I got the same error. I tired IE7, and it started up perfectly. Steam couldn't start up either actually. I restarted my computer, the same situation occurred. I noticed that whenever I tried starting one of the applications that gave me the errors, in the bottom right, where the little icons of what applications are active, I'd get a new "M" icon for McAfee. It seemed odd to me, so I figured that it's the one causing problems for me. I decided to start up Task Manager via Alt+Ctrl+Dlt. I tried getting task manager up, but I got the error!! I was pissed. I restarted the computer, and tried going into Safe Mode, but it didn't let me -- when I chose Safe Mode the computer froze at a page. So I manually turned off the PC, chose to start the PC normally. I got too lazy to go and ask online help at first, and decided to just use the System Restore feature to restore my computer to where it was a few days ago. When I tried that, I got an error saying that my disk was messed up (obviously the lingo was different). I clicked on where it says to fix my disk, and it said that the next time I restarted my PC it would fix it for me. So I restarted my computer, a disk clean up, or fix, or whatever the hell you want to call it was prompted within 2 seconds of the computer starting (before Windows launched). It started going through my files and such, and after an hour of non stop work, it got stuck. It got stuck at 21% and at a number. [img]http://i45.tinypic.com/2qipdag.jpg[/img] I took a shot of the screen with my camera. It has been stuck like this for an hour and half now. I am tempted to manually turn off my PC, via the power button. What should I do? [b]EDIT:[/B] [b]I also dusted it inside and out just before restarting it, just in case it was overheating.[/b]

Reinstall windows ol' chap

I need a second opinion. [No offense above user] That just seems like a doctor is telling me that the only way that I could walk again is to cut my arms off [I mean it seems like a last resort]. [editline]10:37PM[/editline] You guys are no help.

[QUOTE=TheMetalMan;19614002]the only way that I could [B]walk[/B] again is to cut my [B]arms [/B]off[/QUOTE] say [i]what[/I]

That doesn't help me.

Reinstall windows, or wait out the chkdsk.

McAfee didn't get rid of it and the virus fucked your computer in the ass. I don't understand how people acquire a virus I've been using pcs for years and only got 1 virus and that was because of my sister. I didn't have help from a anti virus I just did research and deleted it after stopping the fake svchost.

I found a trojan with AVG. AVG won't let me remove it unless I'm a "power user". Any other programs to help me out here??

avast antivirus pretty much too late for it now tho

[QUOTE=BananasGoMoo;19620015]avast antivirus pretty much too late for it now tho[/QUOTE] :O Why do you say that? Someone PLEASE explain. What are my options right now???

[QUOTE=TheMetalMan;19620376]:O Why do you say that? Someone PLEASE explain. What are my options right now???[/QUOTE] Wait for the check to finish, if it doesn't work. You're fucked. Reinstall that OS boah!!

You can back up first using a ubuntu live cd. An external hard drive is a must.

Have you tried system restore to 2 months ago?

[QUOTE=TheMetalMan;19620376]:O Why do you say that? Someone PLEASE explain. What are my options right now???[/QUOTE] i mean you cant run avast if your computer doesnt get to the desktop. if you can, scan, if you cant, reinstall windows.