BleepingComputer.com: When I restart, it still goes to the black screen with the dash for like 3 full minutes

I just recently rid my laptop of viruses with the help of boopme. However, I'm having some issues when starting it up. 3 things will either happen:
1)Stay stuck at the "Compaq" screen
2)Go passed the "Compaq" screen but then to a black screen with a blinking dash at the top left corner (If I wait long enough, like 3 long minutes, Windows 7 will eventually start up.)
3)Or go passed the "Compaq" screen, to the black screen with dash, but eventually instead of starting up, it will say something like "Operating system not found"

This post has been edited by hamluis: 06 January 2012 - 06:06 PM
Reason for edit: Moved from Win 7 to Am I Infected.

System manufacturer and model?

Louis

Thanks for the reply!

Compaq Presario F700

I remember reading your post when you first posted a week ago, and not replying at the time because I didn't have any idea about what might be causing the problem, so let's have a look and see if we can come up with an answer and possibly a solution too.

Step 1: Please disconnect and remove all external devices attached to the laptop (with the exception of mouse and keyboard if you use these connected externally via USB).

Step 2: Please Publish a Snapshot using Speccy, and post a link to it in this thread.

This is a convenient and accurate way of providing us with details of your computer specifications.

Step 3: Enter the BIOS Setup Menu.

Reference: User Manual http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01295900.pdf

Quote

Please report what you see as the boot order:

System Configuration menu > Boot options > Boot order

Please test the hard drive from the Diagnostics menu:

Quote

If there is any problem indicated when testing the hard drive(s), then please proceed to complete Step 4.

Step 4: Test the hard drive. If you tell us the hard drive manufacturer's name (brand name) and model we can point you to the most appropriate diagnostic utility to use. It is best to use the hard drive manufacturer's own diagnostic utility, but Seagate's tool will work OK on most brands. The diagnostic tool is run from a bootable CD (Windows does not need to be working).The first two steps are done on a working computer, while the third step is to boot the ailing computer with the CD that you create in the first two steps.

Please download SeaTools for DOS (CD) from Seagate's SeaTools for DOS web page

or use the following direct download link to download the latest version of SeaTools for DOS:
Download SeaTools for DOS ISO Image

The downloaded file name is SeaToolsDOS223ALL.ISO

Burn the downloaded .ISO image to a CD using the appropriate burning software.

If you do not already have a suitable burning program for writing .ISO images to disc ...

• Download and install ImgBurn.
  Ensure that you UN-check the box agreeing to install the Ask toolbar during the installation.
  
• Place a new (blank) CD disc in the drive tray.
  
• Choose Write image file to disc.
  
  • Under Source, click on the Browse button: Navigate to and select the .ISO file that you wish to burn.
    
  • Place a check-mark in the box beside Verify.
  
  
• Click
  
  When the CD has been burned and verified as successful, it will be bootable.

Boot from the CD.

(You may need to access the BIOS Setup Menu or the Boot Menu and change the boot order to enable booting from CD before hard drive.)


• From Basic tests on the Main Menu, run the Short test and then the Long test.
  
  (The long test will take some considerable time to complete.)
  The results will be shown as either a PASS or FAIL.
  There is a chance that during the Long test, you may be offered the opportunity to attempt repairs on the hard drive:
  
  • If so, go ahead and attempt to do so, but ONLY after backing up all important personal files.

Note: You may wish to view the following ...

• Learn more about SeaTools for DOS. (view a 24 page pdf document)
  
• See the tutorial on the usage of SeaTools for DOS.

Please let us know the results of the tests.

When you can, include the make and model number of the hard drive(s). If you do choose to use SeaTools, you will see the model number (and maybe the make) when SeaTools first detects the hard drive(s).

I'm sorry but there's a new problem. My little brother just used my computer and I have no idea what he was doing but it was just infected with the Windows Home Security 2012 virus. I ran Malwarebytes and got rid of it but I'm still infected....

Also, if I rid my laptop of viruses, is there any way to make it more protected? It's like any site can give me a virus.

I think perhaps while the computer is still working, the best thing for you to do would be to get some expert assistance from the Malware Removal Team. Please follow the instructions in the
Preparation Guide For Use Before Using Malware Removal Tools and Requesting Help

When you have done that, post your log in the "Virus, Trojan, Spyware, and Malware Removal Logs forum", NOT here, for assistance by the Malware Response Team experts.

They will also be best able to answer your query "if I rid my laptop of viruses, is there any way to make it more protected?".

Please let us know, here, if you have been able to successfully start your new topic.