Hiya folks ltns,

ok, my bro's computer has been hit by the UPS virus, I assume this is correct because after opening an email supposedly from UPS and clicking a link the computer hasn't worked. The initial behaviour was a warning saying something along the lines of Spyware 2010, and windows has been stopped. Attempts to run AVG failed, it kept stopping the scan before completion. The computer powered off and has been in a non operational state since.

What is happening is when you try to boot the system it comes to a normal looking log in screen (except this computer has no password and therefore should load straight into the desktop). It gives a user to sign in to but as soon as you click the icon it flashes and then logs off (ie saving settings). If I attempt to start in safe mode I get two log on options - user and administrator ...neither of which work, both log straight off.

I tried searching google for information and followed instructions to replace the userinit file with the original on the operating system disk (windows XP Home) via the repair console. This went according to plan, i.e. one file was replaced, but, the system still will not boot, the same symptoms are there.

Any ideas how I go about getting the computer booted enough to actually save off the family photo's??