[jjonsalt]

My laptop is running Vista 64 bit and is a year old Dell. I downloaded something (can't recall what). I kept getting a message that the anti-virus program (McAffee, I think) quarantined something that could not be cleaned. I got a message that this is what was done. Every time I closed the message it reappeared a moment or two later. I decided that I would reboot the computer. It would not shut down so I cut off the power supply. In starting (after selecting to start normally) it will go to a screen that is largely black and has "Microsoft Corporation" at the bottom with a running scale above that. The scale moves just for a moment before freezing. Any ideas?

 

[De Laurentius]

Try to boot using an ERD Commander CD, it has some tools that might help you in diagnosis. Also you should try an Windows Vista x64 Recovery Disc, this is a separate release from MS ( free for down as I know) , it's not your win setup disc.

 

[dai]

tap f8 when booting and try

last known good configuration

 

[jjonsalt]

Thank you both, the first suggestion is over my head and the second only gives 2 options, starting up repair and start normally. Taking the second suggestion, and clicking 'repair' just brings back to the same screen.

 

[dai]

do you have the dell disk in when clicking on repair

if the repair option does not offer a non destructive repair option when it comes up you will lose everything you have installed using this option

try running

chkdsk /r

 

[jjonsalt]

I'll tell you where I am, but I can/t tell you how, dumb luck perhaps. It asked me if I see color lines, which I did. hen it started to scan. First the memory6 and now tthe hard drive. It's still running and I am getting too tired to stay up any longer. I'll check it out in the morning.