After a rootkit virus was blocked by avast antivirus, my windows xp home laptop

deeceen

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Jun 23, 2011
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18,510
How do I fix my laptop? I need to get into windows and access my files. I tried a reinstall but still get the cursor. I then tried to boot off a linux cd with bit defender and the drive can be seen, but I need to run windows off the hard drive. Any help/suggestions are welcome. Bit defender did find 6 infected files which it disinfected and supposedly fixed but still cannot get my hdd to boot into windows.
 

deeceen

Distinguished
Jun 23, 2011
8
0
18,510
Thank you for the suggestions. Finally fixed the laptop the hard way. Copied all my data to another Hard drive using linux boot disk. Then reinstalled Windows xp. Sometimes the long route is the best and safest. I will now purchase a 1.8 inch hdd and clone my machine, also will do a backup. We learn from our mistakes.