It does sound like spyware. Christmas is a big time for viruses. 3 things I use and all are free and at download.com make sure it is the free ones. IE most downloaded. AVG antivirus adaware spyware remover Zone alarm firewall These 3 are much better than any one all in one pay program. I have done networks and computer since DOS. These will rid and stop computer Trojans, spyware, viruses, hackers and 99.9% of the external computer programs from internet access.. Nothing can protect from human error but restore points. Jim

Hijackthis is not used for Malware much at all anymore. Hijackthis only shows a few loading points that Malware use to use. Malware has become very difficult now to find out where it loads from and you need much more intensive scans, like DDS, OTL, scans, the worst malware now gets into the MBR (Master Boot Record) such as Zero Acess Root kit, TDSS & more. I have always used Hijackthis in the computer help forums, it provides for me a good overall view of the computer, shows all the start ups (04's) all the services (023's). Tells me the Anti Virus installed and it there are 2 running, will show conduit hijacker and a few more. It may show an infection but rarely anymore. Not used in the Malware Removal community at all. Your problem would have been difficult to diagnose especially with the black screen at boot, that usually indicates windows can't find the operating System or the Master Boot Record is flawed. What would have been nice is if you got the Error "Operating System Not Found" at boot time, then the first order of things is to check the CD Rom drive because Windows always looks there first, and asks "Do you have anything for Me" and the CD Rom say's "yes I have something boot it please" and off it goes and attempts to run anything there.

Non system disk or disk error Usually means you have a non bootable DVD or CD disc in that dvd/cd drive & that drive is your first accessed drive as configured in the bios settings.

Most laptop have this set of Function keys (Fn), depending on your brand, it could be Fn + any of the F1-12 keys.