Hi. I'm running XP right now, and recenlty downloaded a virus (I think). Starting yesterday, my computer would load normally, but after about 30 seconds after my desktop loads, everything would go back to windows classic view. I try and change it in properties, but there is no longer an "xp" option. Another problem is I can hear windows sounds, but nothing else. If I try and play a song, or video, there is no sound. There are also various errors that pop up sometimes (mainly programs that shut down). I run norton (which says it's expired, i'm not sure if it really is, it may have been 1 yr), but when I do a full system scan, it's complete in less than 5 mins. It does a fake scan or something. I tried all the programs, (malaware, antispyware, online virus scans, etc.) but none of them run properly. My virus doesn't let me run virus scans. I backedup all of my data, and tried to reformat, but this is where the other problem comes in: For many months now, my computer won't restart. If I shut it down, I have to wait about 5 mins before I can restart it. OTherwise, the page will load, and freeze up at the TOSHIBA screen (when it does, the screen is deformed. The screen is "squeezed.") EIther this happens, or the screen just remains blank. Either way, I have to hold the power button to reboot ( and wait a few minutes befor restarting). I tried to reformat my whole computer, but when the system has to restart, it freezes. Everything would run fine if I the computer would remain off for a few minutes before restarting, but it doesn't. I don't want to cause any problems while it's reformatting. Does anyone have ANY suggestions?? Do I have to pay to get it fixed? Thank you so much for your time.

Have you put in a bootable CD with Fdisk in it ?

How to reformat a hard drive. 1. Open CD tray. 2. Insert Windows XP CD. 3. Reboot computer, when it says "Press any key to boot from CD", press the space bar (or another key if you prefer). _________________________ Embrace paranoia, they ARE out to get you!