First of all, my name is J-nae. I'm pretty good with computers - but as far as virus removal goes and good virus remover vs. bad one, I'm a dummy. So, if you are going to help me, please dumb it down a little bit. For instance, if you tell me to get a program, tell me where to get it and what to do when I do get it, cuz really, I have no idea.

I have done SO much research on how to fix the things that are wrong with my computer, but there are quite a few and I can't even get all the information straight in my head. I don't know if these problems are related, but here it goes...

The first problem, I know what it is - I have a browser hijacker trojan. All my google result links take me to other search engines. I removed a virus like this before, but I can't remember how I did it. I have Spybot Search & Destroy, which picks up the virus, but will not delete it. Spyware Doctor doesn't even detect it. I have McAfee as well, but for being so expensive it doesn't do jack.

Second - I have Windows Update Alerts. It says this one particular update is important, but it will not allow me to install it. [[WindowsUpdate_80072EFD]] <~ That is the number that came with the help screen after the error. The help screen told me it was possibly a firewall, so I shut down all my anti-virus/spyware software and it still wouldn't install.

Third - I have and am deeply in love with Mozilla Firefox, however, it will not open lately. This presents a problem because it is my default browser so anything I click on anywhere will not open, either, unless I click on it from within IE.

Fourth - From fixing the first round of viruses that kids put on my computer with faulty, infected files from Limewire, my computer has acquired an error message at start up every time I start it up. It says something about diskette failure, F1 to continue F2 to open the boot menu. This, I'm pretty sure, goes along with the fact that suddenly my CD/DVD-ROM drive does not work, which was also directly after I "fixed" these viruses. My computer starts okay after hitting F1, but it's maddening because I bought my son little Preschool games for the computer for Christmas and he can't even play them now.

Those are the four big issues I am currently having. I would appreciate some guidance SO much. Please help me!!

Thanks in advance.

- J-nae

removed malware advice

Hi there J-nae and welcome

Please follow all of the steps in this section of the Malware Forum. These self-help tools will help you clean up 70% of problems on your own. If you are still having problems after doing the steps, then please post a HiJackThis Log in the Malware Forum. If you are unable to run and/or post a HJT log, then post that in your initial post in the topic you create in that forum. Should you post in that forum please do not respond to your own topic. Our Malware Staff look for topics to help out in that have no responses. The Malware Forum is very busy with many more requests for help than we have volunteer helpers, so please be patient. If you have not had a response to a topic after 3 days then please go to the Waiting Room and read the pinned topic for instructions.