So, something weird has happened to my parents computer. They claim it was cuz of a power surge, but I think it's a virus.

After a surge, they were no longer able to load games/antivirus/recovery software. Oddly enough, though AAA titles can't be launched, the Mahjong included in Vista will. I'm fairly certain it's a virus, but I can't do a system restore to a more stable version so I can run an antivirus (neither System Restore nor ACER eRecovery will launch).

Is there a LiveCD, or something similar, I can get on my system, that I can run that will allow me to run an antivirus scan on the system and fix this, or is there another possible problem/solution?

tried booting into safe mode and running a restore?

I know this doesn't help you now, but i would highly recommend a disk imaging program. I've used Acronis and am currently using a freeware one called Easeus. The are all easy to use, making it very simple to create a compressed imaged or "snapshot" of your HDD. Anything goes wrong, you can just go back to that time.

As to your current problem, i am completely stumped as what to do..

(

A system restore to a previous state. If that isn't available... Reinstall windows. Honestly, that will probably be quicker than any anti-virus half-assed job or any other bogus PC cleaners. You'll even keep the files from the old installation as long as you have enough disk space, Windows 7 doesn't require a format before installing.

There are perfectly fine versions of Windows 7 available online, either via purchase or via... not purchasing. Wink wink, nudge nudge.

First rule of Windows: System Restore never works. Ever.

Forgot to add this, but I can't boot into safe mode. When I try, it restarts the computer automatically. This leads me to the virus conclusion. Also, it's an Acer computer. To do a backup, I need to load their eRecovery software in Windows first...which I can't.

As for a disk imaging program, I can't install anything more on the computer. I tried installing AVG on it go get any possible virus off, and the installer wouldn't load.

When it comes to a Windows 7 install, we got a free upgrade copy, so I could forget backing up Vista and rely on a Windows 7 backup disc. However, if it's a virus, it's just going to infect the new install, especially since 7 would back up the files on the Vista install.

Ok, I just thought of a solution, but I need help to ensure I get this right.

My plan is to install Ubuntu and AVG Avast! on a thumb drive (16GB should do) and do a scan of the system to hopefully remove any virus present. Is an anti virus, an anti virus? Will a Linux one, detect threats on a Windows system, most if not all?