Computer/Laptop Repairs

chocz

Looks like I have some sort of virus on my laptop. It loads up fine until it gets to when my desktop screen should come up but my screen then just goes bright red. No options.

Safe mode is still available to run.

Basically I'm pretty computer illiterate and just need someone to have a look at it. Does any one know of or could recommend a shop or somehwere that may be able to fix it + depending on the problem keep all my data. Dublin city centre preferably.

Any idea of costs? really don't want to have to get a new laptop and lose all my old data.

Cheers

Skerries

download from another computer malwarebytes and run it in safe mode

chocz

cheers, now given im pretty rubbish at this stuff! - how would i trfr it to my laptop once downloaded from other comp? USB it? How does it run in safe mode - as when ever I'm in it can't seem to run anyting.

Tks

bhickey

To get into Safe Mode, press the F8 key when the computer is booting up (after the initial BIOS screen and before you see any Windows stuff).

If you're having bother catching it in time then just tap the F8 key every second or so after turning the machine on.

Safe Mode (or Safe Mode with Networking if you need to download anything) loads a stripped down version of Windows so you've a better chancing of locating problems.

Freeman

Why do you think it's a Virus? Does it say anything when you boot up, like "Your computer is infected with a virus..." Does it display a solid red background or red lines? I would eliminate the screen/graphics first. Do you have a desktop Monitor? If your laptop has VGA out you may be able to hook it up to your Monitor to see if you can get to your desktop environment.

The VGA out port looks like this:



This user here has a problem which may be similar to yours, have a look and see if it sounds like what is happening to you.

A reasonable PC Repair shop would charge €25 to look at it and give you a prognosis but some may charge more. I am not in Dublin so I am afraid I cannot recommend anyone there.

formatman

If you dont get it sorted give me a shout

Id say approx 60 -80 Euro for time to copy data off drive and fix or rebuild windows install

Normally I would remove the drive connect via usb to another PC ,backup any accessible data
scan fix from the other laptop and then check all updates are installed when its back in the original laptop

ricman

try f8 safe mode,last known good configuration,or safe mode directory restore mode, this fixes/replaces windows os boot up files .90per cent of the time,its the windows damaged dat files that stop the boot up process.
or try r repair command,from the os cdrom
see here http://www.ehow.com/how_5619961_replace-windows-boot-files.html
if you have a windows os cd/dvd disk.