My Computer Won't Start Up Anymore

[DeeryTheDeer]

The other night I downloaded a video, pretty sure it was a wmv file, opened it with Windows Media Player on my Vista, and it doesn't start playing, but a pop up comes up and tells me I need to download a free codec (the codec's name was just a series of numbers like 2.36578 or something like that). Apparently I was stupid enough to go for the trap and attempt to download and install it. It wouldn't install, even after 3 times of trying. Nothing changed and nothing came up when I opened the .exe file. So I decided to restart my computer, hoping that the change would take effect then. The computer loads Microsoft as usual when starting up, but no Vista start up login screen ever shows up after that anymore. It's just a black screen with a white cursor I can move around, waiting and waiting and waiting. I need help. I may have to see an actual computer technician, but that would cost money, but mostly I'm afraid that in the process of solving the problem, I'd have to answer questions about the video I downloaded from where (not porn, just a torrent), and that I'd get in trouble.

[Jeff777]

Hm, just tell the technician that you were trying to download a film on speaking different languages through limewire or whatever. And If push comes to shove, you could always format. D:

[Luanne]

Do a system restore through safe mode. If you have your restore points set?

[Tyler]

Do you have the Windows Vista recovery disc?

[Jesus of Suburbia]

How are you posting this?? Seriously!!

[guitarboy]

How are you posting this?? Seriously!! A different computer, Einstien.

[Marvo]

If you wanna fix this yourself, you'll have to boot in safemode. This is done by holding the F8 button while your computer is starting up, this means before Windows start loading. Tell it so start in safemode without any extra stuff like network and commandprompt. Won't need that. Once your computer is booted, you should be able to login. From here, try to restore your PC. This is done by opening your Start menu, write "Restore", open the program on the list called "System Restore" and follow the instructions. If you don't have any restore points, this will not work. Some OEM computers probably do this automatically, though an ordinary installation of Vista will not. You should definitely give it a try. If you're out of luck, you need to get your Vista installation disc or get your hands on one, and run the system reparation tool. This is fairly simple and you just need to follow the instructions. If you decide to turn your computer over to a technician, just tell him you were tricked into downloading a shady program, which put your computer into its current state. There is really no need to tell him why or what it was. He will not look through your harddrive for illegal or personal data, unless he's an IT-criminal, or an anti-pirate vigilante