computer starts up, i quickly click on mozilla firefox before = desktop gone, taskbar gone, windows security alert window in russian appears (which seems fake because i can't click on any of the buttons and the cursor looks different than it usually does when i mouse over any of the buttons), and can't open task manager. and now i'm left with the internet that i managed to quickly open. is there a possibility of anyone knowing how to fix this? :(

have you tried safe mode yet? If you get into safe mode, start by removing all startup items and then reboot. Then if you can get on-line you can start by downloading and starting with these progs in this order: 1- Ccleaner slim- remove all it finds and also click on the registry icon and remove all it finds 2- malwarebytes- update and do a quick scan 3- spybot- update, then run that, also immunize (I don't use the tea timer setting, you can uncheck that if you want Start with that and let us know how you are making out Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions Cheers

i have tried to start up in safe mode, but i couldn't. i tried F6 and F8, not sure which one is the right one. but neither works. what's the correct way of starting up in safe mode?

tap f8 on bootup till you get into safe mode. Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions Cheers

hi, i have been really stressed out about this problem so i decided to reformat the laptop instead and get it all over with. luckily i was able to burn my important files via safe mode. i really appreciate in your helping me! thanks so much for the help so far

ok thanks! will keep that in mind for later!