[yoko]

My father's Compaq Presario PC with Vista home basic is continual flashing the error message " unauthorized change was made to Windows- Windows has discovered a change that will result in Window's limited functionality. Use the link below on how to fix Windows" after password is entered and "Welcome" screen. this was after AVG scan had discovered several Trojans, which at that time, AVG recommended that some Trojans be deleted and the rest were left due to the fact that it would destabilize the system. Occasionally, "user name or password is incorrect"

He has no recovery discs (none with included with his computer). what is going on and what can he do?

Thanks in advance!

[tek101]

Hi Yoko.

First ,to see if he can start in SAVE MODE ..: Hit F8 or F10 before window loads.....

Down load these and scan for malwares ...: (Run a full scan)

www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

[http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html]

[yoko]

F8 doesnt do anything and when F10 gave me the BIOS setup(not familiar with). this time after password was entered the following error message came up, "windows error recovery. windows did not shut down properly...".

[mphenterprises]

Hi Yoko. I believe Tek101 meant Safe Mode; however, one tap of the F8 key will not get you into Safe Mode. One has to continuously tap the F8 key until you get the Startup Option Menu. Please take a look at this Document for details on how to access Safe Mode, {document:id=1093}.

[bbvammy]

Copy your important information on an USB drive.

May be its time to try an alternative OS

I have Vista, but I don't use it at all. Too many problems for me.

[rgreen4]

In addition most new machines do not come with recovery discs, but have a recovery partition on the hard drive. In addition, you can order recovery discs from HP for that machine. But, do not confuse recovery discs (or partitions) with an install disc. The recovery process returns the HD to the exact status as when it left the factory, all the bloatware included.

But, be sure to back up all the data before going through any recovery process, and the recovery process is a LAST RESORT.