Computer malfunction
 

Okay so somehow I contracted some type of spyware or something on my computer and now I can't open a bunch of my programs. Well pretty much they're all somehow converted to Microsoft Word so none of them are working. But my videos and I can still view pictures for some weird reason.

But well my question is could I possibly use some type of ... like isn't there some type of back up thing on the computer where it saves stuff like from a certain date so if things like this happen you could revert back to that date and get your computer going from there?

And if I can't do that then how else could I fix this issue?

System Restore.

Okay so where is that at and that wouldn't bring my computer back to square one would it?

Well then I think I'm screwed. I just tried to access it and it won't open properly. It tried to open as a Microsoft Word program. So is there a way to fix that issue so I can properly use it?

reformat

Reboot and hold down F8, this will give the the Safe Mode menu.
Choose "Last known good configuration"
IF that works then run your anti virus, anti spyware program.
If it goes to the same mess then reboot, go into safe mode and run the AV/AS programs.
You can also run Hijackthis and see if theres a program running in the background.
What it looks like is that the malware or whatever has chnged your exe file assosiations to run MS Word. That's an odd thing to do.

That should be his last resort.
IF he does that he should back up whatever he wants to save to CD or DVD and run a virus scan to make sure the backup is clean.

You obviously don't know the charades of the Tech Forum! Here Here!

I'm trying to format the drive because nothing seems to be working and it's saying that

"Windows cannot format this drive. Quit any disk utilities or other programs that are using this drive, and make sure that no window is displaying the contents of this drive. Then try formatting this drive again."

I've had nothing open while doing it. So what can I do?

Uh, you don't format while Windows is still running...

You need a Windows install disk to boot from to reformat and re-install Windows.

stop looking at kiddie porn and you wouldn't have this problem

I tried booting from the disc but I've come across one final issue.

This file is said to be either missing or corrupted

<windows root>\system32\hal.dll

So how would I remedy that?