In a matter of hours (and one incredibly ill-advised removal of a system file after a virus scan), my PC has gone from a 2-month old HD with XP to practically unbootable. At times my computer won't load the OS (black screen with a mouse that moves) and sometimes it does, but programs such as AVG and Steam don't work. Google Installer, Windows Search, you name it, my PC has got it.

I've located an XP DVD from another one of my family's PCs (though I'm not sure where the original CD-ROM from the computer is [I somehow lost it in the two months since I last installed XP]) but when I try to boot it at startup, I'm told that the disk is not available. I assure you all that my OS is legal and legitimate; if Microsoft has a problem with using another disk to re-install, I'll go out and purchase a Mac tomorrow.

I can't format my drive, I can't get the DVD to read, I have no system restore points (could this be a virus? I had max memory devoted to restore points, yet I have NONE). I feel screwed. Please help.

-Rick

Hello Rick. It sounds like the virus corrupted your Master Boot Record (MBR). I'll get all the help we can on this to get this fixed. I'll mark this thread as "Open" so your thread will get more attention. Thanks for your patience.

*JM*

My sincerest thanks. I ordered about $600 worth of new components for a new build, but I'd love to be able to format this HD before they come if possible.

Does the XP DVD boot on another PC, if not then it's probably just a copy and not a bootable copy. In which case you'll need to borrow an XP Cd off friend or family.

If it does boot on another PC please ensure your DVD drive is the first boot device in the BIOS.

The DVD is straight from Dell. I just opened it from its sealed envelope from a Dell laptop that we have.

I also had set my BIOS so that the "CD-ROM or USB CD-ROM drive" is the first in the sequence. Same error. Not bootable.

I have two disc drives: the first is a CD-RW drive and the second is a DVD-RW drive. I see no options in BIOS for the DVD drive. I have also had issues during loadup in the past with the PATA-1 drive (my DVD drive) not being recognized, but the error does not always come up. Could this be the problem?

Strange - try disconnecting the CD and make the DVD the first device.

Bingo. Windows is installing now. Learn something every time I come here!

You're the best!