Hey guys, I'm new and need some help with my PC. I dunno if a thread has been made about this but I don't really have much time to look around so sorry.

Ok here's the issue. I had a virus on my computer, tried reinstalling the OS (Windows XP Home Ed.) so that I could clear everything off the HDD. While doing this, at the point in the setup screen, it prompts me to either press Enter to install, r ro repair or F3 to quit. So I press enter, it freezes, doesn't do anything, I try several different times, try pressing r/F3 instead, still nothing.

Today I went to the store and got a new HDD, I pop in the disk to install the OS, same one, but the same exact problem happened. I thought it was due to the virus, and I thought a new HDD would clear up that problem, can anyone tell me what's wrong?

Thanks so much for the help!!

P.S. I don't know a huge deal about computers, don't get too complicated on me :]

Welcome Knire,

PCHF has an incredible Security team available to assist you with ridding your computer of malware and viruses. Is that the direction you would like to go?

Otherwise, we can assist you with installing or reinstalling the Operating System on either the original or on a new hard disk.

PCHF has very helpful and talented members as well as a very experienced tech staff.

IF you would like to proceed with a "clean up" of your original system hard disk, please review PreWork in my signature, follow the directions and post the requested logs back into this thread.

Thanks! We will get you through this and who knows, you might find that you have learned along the way.

Hi also have you tried unplugging all printers scanners ( all uneeded devices ) Just keyboard mouse and screen and try reinstall. If you have a new hard drive it's not a virus.

Yeah, I tried that, still nothin, thanks though.

Knire,

Would you like to try ridding your original system of viruses & malware or do you want to proceed with getting the new disk installed?

Well I browsed the link that you mentioned and my PC doesn't even run without freezing after 1 half minute with the old hard drive, so I think I'll just go with installing the new one.

Have you tried starting your original system in Safe Mode with Networking? The tasks in PreWork can be completed in Safe Mode.