When dealing with laptops I usually deal with hardware problems. This one is a software problem that I've never seen before. Windows xp home boots normally bring up the log-in screen. click on any user icon and up pops this:

"Warning! Spy ware detected on your computer! Install an antivirus or spy ware remover to clean your computer."

The computer is locked on this screen and will not continue loading. I have tried running a stand alone AV, and Spy ware but no joy. In safe mode administrator, the desktop does not display. The task manager works.

I'm trying very hard to save the ladies other programs. I would be grateful for any help.

save her programs / pictures / files to an external hard drive , and scan them ? , then reinstall windows on the laptop ?

I may be able to do that, but what I really want to know is where is this message coming from and how could I get rid of it. I say may be able to because I'm not sure my external drive is working just now. Is it from a legit program, or some idiot's prank.

Assuming you're still interested in investigating whence the problem originates, you might try connecting the drive to another protected computer and bit-wise comparing the system files and drivers with known good copies for whatever OS is installed. It's possible some of the original files have been compromised.

I'd check the backup/restore partition files (if they exist) as well while I was at it in case the "bad guys" stored some backups there inside the manufacturer's backups so to speak. Depending on the OS, you may or may not be able to extract individual files from those backups for comparison.

Don't forget that any personal backups, updates, restores, etc. may be altered as well and could re-introduce the problem if used again.


edit-clean and add warning re personal backups, etc.

try to follow my words

1.start-controlpanel-system-advanced-error reporting

2.put the check mark in the option one that is disable error reporting and remove the checkmark but notify me when critical errors occured.