I am aware of the system restore, but since it cannot delete files, it will not fix my virus problem. I am also aware of reformatting the entire C drive but I have important pre-installed factory programs and Microsoft office. Is there a good intermediate between the two where I can bring the computer to a point where it was good and keep programs?
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System restore should get you to the configuration that worked in the past. It will not delete (in some cases it will) virus (and it is not a virus, viruses are almost ceased to exists these days, I bet it’s a worm or trojan), but it will disable them from running on your computer.
The next step would be to run an anti-virus to clean up the files.
do virus scan use this it is free trial.
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-us/3/communications/tokentrial.htm
system resotore-
Start button lower left corner
All programs
accessories
system tools
system restore.
You can to do this and it may restore some of your computers os configurations to the point where you can at least navigate to the internet and then download a antivirus software. I use AVG free edition. I switched from norton antivirus to Avg in 2005 and have had it ever since. I haven’t had a system crash ever since.