How-To Geek

cnj2000, hi.

I suspect Malware much more then a hard drive failure.

But you do need to elaborate more on the situation for better assistance. Lots of questions come into mind, such as;

What is the make/model of your PC?

What operating system are you running?

Are you even able to boot into the OS?

Where are you getting that message?

And who is "and are asking me if I want to try to fix it." ?

I would get a second opinion. I don't think "they" know what they are talking about.

Thank you all for helping me - I am dealing with two computers that now do not work after trying to install Verizon Internet Security Suite.
Laptop is HP 550 with windows XP Pro - Other is desktop Compaq Presario with Vista Business, both had microsoft business package pro - acrobat x suites, both had bitdefender for virus, etc.

So here is the deal tried to install Verizon Internet Suite on both computers download stopped so I called Verizon - they remoted into both computers and before I knew it were deleting all kinds of stuff off the computer. I took control of screen and told them to stop deleting files, there were some .exe and app files but have no idea exactly what was deleted before I stopped them The installed and uninstalled this software several times and could not get it to load so sent me to expert care who also loaded and unloaded this stuff. After the expert care did this a few times the programs would no longer work and dVd/CD Rom driver errors started to occur. Expert care then sent me to McAfee who also uninstalled and reinstalled several times. After 2 days of this the computers no longer connected to the internet, no programs would open. Laptop would boot up but then went to dos looking screen and rolling scroll of programs never stops just keeps going and going. The Desktop starts but nothing boots just makes a growling sound. The monitor flashes on the goes to black screen. Called back and engineer at McAfee told me I would just have to get new computers. Told me starting and stopping instal caused HEAD CRASH" with sector disc failure caused by software auto-parking before computer shut down. Called around and everyone acts like I am from another planet when I tell them what McAfee told me - so just need to figure out what to do now. I tried to do install disc of OS still nothing works- cant get either CD to start up or do anything.

Maybe I'm over cautious but I'd be inclined to check my Bank Accounts and start changing passwords. Sounds very strange that a company like that would want to remote in someones PC. Very suspect indeed!!!!
And from what you described it doesn't sound like they knew what they where doing.

here is their agreement when you sign upL You hereby grant Verizon permission to view, access and modify your computer, computer (including registry) settings and any related software or peripheral equipment, including all data, hardware and software components, in order to perform PTS.

cnj2000 worst case is it's a virus or maleware as people have told you. FORMAT and REINSTALL

@ compwiz and @ gedstar - believe me I have now learned my lesson - never will I ever let anyone remote into a computer again. I know how stupid was I. Yes I have tried the above suggestions. I cannot get a screen on the desktop to try to set the bios - I was able to get the laptop reset to to boot on CD and tried to restore but when I highlight restore just goes to the dos looking screen like its scrolling through programs - does not appear that CD drive is working at all either cant hear it running and nothing happens with cd in drive.

@Necto, This will work on all desktop computers? Really?

Thanks that is what I have been looking for