Hi folks

I think there may be a virus in my laptop. Basically I keep getting a Virus Scan alerts pretty much constantly (something about 'clean failed'?), which are usually followed by 'Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to shut down' messages, after which it of course shuts down. I need to do a lot of work on the Internet and also purchase things etc, so this is the last thing I need!

I am also concerned this will affect all the other programs, again I have loads of photos and docs stored on the hard drive which I'd be devastated to lose.

When I switched it off last time, before I decided to switch back on and post here, instead of the usual bumf which comes up when logging off this weird screen came up and something about 'fatal error' or some such at the top of screen.

Please help with some advice clever technology-minded people:)
If necessary someone could maybe come out and fix it, any idea how much would that cost? Though would prefer some quick solution:) Am worried about losing files!

The messages about trojans are taking over, so better finish my post before it all goes completely haywire! Thank you in advance:)

Not sure which Anti virus software you are using but the first thing I would do is boot into safe mode (Press F8 on start up) Make sure you aren't connected to the internet then run a thorough virus scan on the complete P.C
If you have access to another internet connected P.C then download Spyware search and destroy and the latest detection updates. Do the same with AVG.

Burn these to a C.D and then install and run them on your P.C still staying off line
If you only have one P.C reboot and connect and download and run them.
Once you have deleted all the nasties that they find run again to make sure that your P.C is clean

I would also Install Firefox as it is less tied into windows so not as affected by problems with windows files.

And after you've followed sixriver's suggestions think about a back-up regime for your files.

If they are that important to you then you must protect them.

You have various options for doing this, from burning onto a CD or DVD, or copying to another PC if you have one. Alternatively external disk drives connected via USB are very attractively priced these days. If you only have a few gigs worth, then USB flash drives are even cheaper.

You can do simple file copies, use back-up software or even create a disk image. Lots of methods to choose from.

thank you for your suggestions, I have run a scan and it seems to have been sorted. Definitely will back up the files though, just in case it happens again!!