Call and complain to HP.
They will talk through using the restore feature.

You can try to start your computer and as soon as the screen shows the windows blue 4pane icon, push and hold the power button to turn it off... 3rd time doing that it will enter the repair environment where you can try a restore point to a date before that virus happened ..... or the HP restore all.. or the windows reset.

What was name of the virus is what most people might want to know before anyone can know how to proceed to otherwise remove the virus.

My husband said it was an FBI money pack virus.
it locks up the computer and won't let him do anything.
I'm going to try the restore and hope it's helps.

Who did you buy the computer from? Was this problem on it immediately or after some use?

Rather than struggle, I'd return it.

Good luck.

Follow one of the options here, if you want to try to remove it yourself:
http://malwaretips.com/blogs/fbi-moneypak-virus/

Remove McAfee if you get your computer back to normal (or don't take the free trial if you exchange it). Windows Defender is included with Win8, is free, and does a much better job.

Download SuperAntiSpyware (also free) which will help to prevent this kind of problem in the future.

Here is a link that might be useful: SuperAntiSpyware

Here's a clickable link for the malwaretips site

Here is a link that might be useful: How to remove FBI moneypak virus

the problem did not come with the computer. he was surfing the internet when it popped up. i'm not sure if he was in craigs list or some other site.
I will call hp and have them walk me through this and also help me set up windows defender.
Thanks bunches for all the help. I'll let you know if I get rid of it or the computer.

You don't have to set up Windows Defender. Microsoft included it with Windows8 to replace their Security Essentials. It'll already be up and running.
HP will just try to talk you into using McAfee if you bring it up.

ok, I called HP and they walked me through setting up his computer as new. I hope I don't have to go through this again. What a hassle. Again, thank you all for the excellent help.

If you are fuming mad, be fuming at your web-surfing husband. You need to impress upon him 1) the need for good anti-virus software and 2) not to click on every stupid link he comes across.

I guess it's possible to have clicked through to a bad site from Craigslist. From what I've heard, there are two broad categories of sites from which many people pick up infections. Let's say, neither is of the type you'd go to if you were looking for an individual with a used armoire or a bike rack for sale.

I agree with sushipup's comment. Using the internet is like driving or walking in an urban area. You need to be careful what neighborhoods you go to and know which are dangerous and should be avoided.

Most of the spam that we see here on forums includes links to nice-sounding but suspect websites, which have a no-rating (unknown) for Web of Trust (WOT). Things like "GuttersAreUs.com" (just a made-up name) in a thread about roofing. The link was posted by someone who just registered today from Pakistan. Want to click on it? No, I don't think so.

At least install WOT, can't hurt.

Here is a link that might be useful: My WOT

I'm debating if I want to go back to using our Comcast Norton free download, like we had before. We had no pop ups or problems. I did have a Trojan that I commented here before on my last laptop but Norton kept in in quarantine and it didn't seem to cause a problem. I'm not too sure with this MacAfee that is on this one or Windows defender. LOL, my poor husband was so upset he did my dishes for me.

I wouldn't use Norton, either. Same as McAfee. Another good free one is Avast.
Make sure you download and install that SuperAntiSpyware, that I gave you the link for, above. That's what will catch the trojans, not the anti virus programs.

"my poor husband was so upset he did my dishes for me."

Was he feeling upset, or guilty?

Antivirus discussions often have more emotion than information. Here's one objective assessment of alternatives, click on the link

Here is a link that might be useful: PC Mag ratings of antivirus products

There's nothing emotional about my recommendations. It's reliable info that's tried and true.

The PCmag assessments, which are based in part on the work of many professionals and testing labs, is kept current and interpreted by Neil Rubenking. Rubenking has been a respected and authoritative figure in the tech world for over 30 years. Opinions can differ by source and individual experience, of course. Rubenking's work free aims to be objective and free of bias.

What's your background, how do you compare different products?

WTH are you talking about? Where did I compare different products?
I'm talking from personal experience and what has worked for me. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know about the three I mentioned. I don't give recommendations from doing Google searches and cut and pastes like some people.
My first computer was totally DOS based, no windows, and I learned it well and have kept up with learning so I know what I'm doing.

I don't know how that happens cause it happened to me and also to a friend of mine when we first got our new computer. Many popups scaring you into clicking on something that you have to pay to have removed and has control over your computer. The more you click, the worse it gets. I had to shut my computer off. The next day, when calmed down, I booted up with my fingers crossed, and did a system restore back to before that happened and everything was normal again. I then did all the scans for malware and virus just to be safe.
That is a SCAM and very scary as to how do they know you just got a new computer?

haha. I'm the last person on Earth you can legitimately accuse of blindly giving advice from Google searches. I've been a reader of PC Magazine (and the successor since its demise, pcmag.com) since the 80s, and an admirer of Rubenking's work for most of that time too. I have offered that link frequently when the question comes up. I have my own preferences too, but I think it's better for people to reach their own conclusions, using objective information from many sources.

You're recommending for and against various products, that was why I asked. You've confirmed what I suspected, your suggestions are just personal preference. That's fine, but it would be better if you didn't pretend it's anything more than that.

My suggestions are more than personal preferences, but go back to reading your magazines because you're talking nonsense.

This post was edited by shadylady2u on Sat, Jan 24, 15 at 12:30