READ ME FIRST Malware Removal - computer shut down and won't turn on

HELP! I was following your steps for malware removal (I was trying to get rid of Shield Deluxe 2008 on my Toshiba laptop running Windows XP) I got as far as running the first recommended scan program (Super Anti Spyware) and had a crash. I tried to restart but no start, no screen, no power...nothing. I retraced my steps and I think I failed to start this whole process in Safe Mode. Please help me out if you can...I have a few important things not backed up! I feel like such an idiot...

Thanks!

 

Thanks Tim...

I'm suffering from a short in my power cord (and a case of the DUHS! )which happened to occur at the same time I was going through the malware removal procedure.

I still can't shake the effects of that damn Shield Deluxe 2008! NEVER use this program!!

I'm running XP on both an HP and a Toshiba laptop. I've taken both back to out-of-the-box configs and I'm still getting tons of cookies (adware I'm sure) and I can't install my trusted favorite....good ole McAfee Total Protection. Any other ideas on restoring a sense of security?