Do I have a virus?

cargoholder2010

Toxteth_OGrady wrote: »

Do you have a partition on your disk? Yes

You can recover your Windows license with http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html Thanks although I think I need to get the utility onto the computer first and I cannot access the internet through Safe Mode so may have to transfer later.

What happens if you try Alt F10 when the laptop is first started (i.e. as soon as you power on before you would press F8 to go into Safe Mode)?

I don't press F8 to get into safe mode, I get a dos screen with the option to go to safe mode or start normally.

Toxteth_OGrady

OK try Alt F10 before you get to the DOS screen.

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/desktop/0000/Acer/AspireE360/AspireE360faq40.shtml

Q: How to use Acer eRecovery

A:

Note: These steps will return the system to the original factory installation including all factory installed drivers and applications.
Back up all data prior to using this procedure.
Plug in the AC adapter and battery.
Turn the system on
Immediately, press ALT on the keyboard and start tapping F10.
Continue holding ALT and tapping F10 as the unit boots up.
A screen stating "Starting Acer Erecovery" should appear.
(Release ALT and stop tapping F10 at this point)
There will be 4 options:
1. Restore system to factory default
2. Restore system from user backup
3. Restore system from cd/dvd
4. Exit

Are you posting here from a smartphone or do you have another PC where you can download?

Have you tried Safe Mode With Networking?

cargoholder2010

Toxteth_OGrady wrote: »

OK try Alt F10 before you get to the DOS screen. I get a 'Edit Boot Options' screen when I press the press the ALT key and keep pressing the F10 key.

Are you posting here from a smartphone or do you have another PC where you can download? From a phone

Have you tried Safe Mode With Networking?

Will google that and see whet that means, thank you again

Toxteth_OGrady

Check my edit in post #13

maninthestreet

Can you download and install Malware Bytes Anti Malware (MBAM), and perform a full scan after updating it to the most current malware database level?

cargoholder2010

Toxteth_OGrady wrote: »

Check my edit in post #13

I still only get the 'Edit Boot Options' screen:(

cargoholder2010

maninthestreet wrote: »

Can you download and install Malware Bytes Anti Malware (MBAM), and perform a full scan after updating it to the most current malware database level?

I am afraid I cannot get internet access in normal mode, can I get it from Safe Mode?

Toxteth_OGrady

cargoholder2010 wrote: »

I still only get the 'Edit Boot Options' screen:(

Are you keeping the Alt pressed down the whole time you are tapping F10?

Another option is to just try F8 and see if you get to the Safe Mode selection menu that way. If you can is there a 'Repair computer' selection option.

Another thing to check - as soon as you power on keep tapping F2 to get into the BIOS menu. In the BIOS go to the Advanced tab and ensure 'Hard disk recovery' is enabled. If not, enable it and try the Alt F10 again.

If you can't get to the Acer Recovery partition (should be called PQSERVICE) then you can try get some Windows install disks but you need the your license key to do a fresh install. Produkey will find this. Can you not download it using Safe Mode with Networking?

Toxteth_OGrady

cargoholder2010 wrote: »

I am afraid I cannot get internet access in normal mode, can I get it from Safe Mode?

Yes, if you select Safe Mode with Networking.

cargoholder2010

Toxteth_OGrady wrote: »

Yes, if you select Safe Mode with Networking.

Thanks, will try that