laptop help please

Our youngen as done something to it, he said he as downloaded something to stop it getting a virus ...

Anyway now it wont let me start windows.......

It lets me start in safe mode but I get this message...

Windows Product activation:

This copy of windows must be activated with Microsoftbefore you can continue.You cannot log on until you activate windows. Because activation cannot occur in safe mode, please restart your computer in normal mode to activate windows.


But I cant start it in normal mode...

This is what I have tried in safe mode:
System Restore. (to a earlier date)
AVG virus scan.


Anyone any ideas??

I have to tell you, I know very little about computers.

 

Wow, do you know what he installed?

What screen do you get in normal mode?

You can boot into safe mode? Can you save your data files from there? You may want to do that.:wave:wave

 

In normal mode I get a black screen, saying windows did not start successfully recent hardware or software change might have caused this..

Then ask me how i would like to start windows..

Safe mode
safe mode with networking
safe mode with command prompt

Last known good config (your most recent settings that worked)


Start windows normally....

It wont open in the bottom two...

I am using XP...


Also, how do i save /back up my files etc??

 

You can open in safe mode, right?

As far as saving your data, that depends on what data you have. Is it pictures, mostly .jpg files? Document files? If yes, what program do you use to make these, Word, Works, Open Office, etc.?
Spreadsheets?
Emails, from Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail?
Any of these files can be found in safe mode and you would need to copy them to some removable storage like a flash drive, CD, DVD, or floppy. Or you can also save them online to a site like Adrive, that would mean you would have to be able to start in safe mode with networking. :wave:wave