was putting some spyware stuff on my computer, as it was really slow. It ran the search of things that were wrong and I just clicked on Ok to get rid of the things that were wrong with it. I rebooted and when I did the box came up asking me for the code for windows 1998...I put in some code but none seemed to work. I rebooted again and now all I have on the screen is the picture I had on my destop shrunk to a really small size in the middle of the screen. Nothing comes up when I right click, or double click...HELP!!!!!! What the bloomen hell have I done to my poor laptop???? (Quite an old toshiba 600)

Can you boot into Safe Mode?? Instructions here - http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...rc=sec_doc_nam

Also, exactly what spyware application did you install, and did it do a back-up of your registry?

If this problem has surfaced within the last five days, you could try a registry restore*. However, this will only help towards registry entries and windows startup files. (System.dat, User.dat, (these two make up your registry) System.ini, & Win.ini.) If any other Windows files or application files have been removed/deleted, those in question will have to be retrieved or reinstalled.

Please answer the questions posed by Mister Fink; "... exactly what spyware application did you install, and did it do a back-up of your registry?"

*Registry restore;
(I suggest further investigation or using the UNDO facility on the programs used which caused the problem before restoring the registry.)

Boot to a command prompt. (Restart in MS-DOS Mode, or hold down the Ctrl key at system boot (just after the POST screen) to get the MS Startup Menu, and choose Command prompt only.)

When you get the command prompt (C:\> or C:\Windows), type in

scanreg/restore

and pick a date prior to the problem occurring. Once the restore is complete, if you did a Restart in MS-DOS Mode, type in exit. If you booted directly into raw dos, hit the reset button or power down and reboot.

I've replied to your PM regarding the closure of the duplicate thread. I/we await your response to the questions asked of you.

I cant do anything.....nothing comes up at all, just the picture that I had on my desktop comes up really small in the center of the page.
Would it work if I tried to install windows again? I have the refresher disk that come with the laptop.....I am totally rubbish at things like this!

Try the registry restore.

"... or hold down the Ctrl key at system boot (just after the POST screen)"

(POST = Power On Self Test) The "Starting Windows 98" will come up just after the POST, so during the ending of the POST, start hitting the Ctrl key.