Hello,
My lovely laptop caught a killer virus and I want to do a complete removal of everything on the hard drive to get rid of it. I have the backup/restore disks so I think it will be OK. Will this work? Or is there a better solution? Sorry, I don't know much about computers but PLEASE HELP. Thanks so much.

Indeed the best way to get rid of a difficult virus in a late state of infection is to clean the hard drive completely.
And it is - unlike often suggested - not the last thing to do. Actually it is easy and relatively fast : about 45 minutes to re-setup and a similar amount of time to re-install all other software.

That of course is based on you having made several partitions on your hard drive, and having copies of your software on your hard drive for easy installation. And - of course - the original Windows software on CD.

The following is a guideline I normally suggest :

===

The BEST solution is the following : all other solutions seldom solve all problems.

FIRST save all important data (on CD, stick, or another partition than C drive)
(don't forget music, photo's, email, docs, favorites, bookmarks, password information etc.)

Have original Windows CD ready. Have all other software ready (either on a partition or on CD or USB stick). Have also your little book with passwords ready.

Check and/or set (if necessary) Bios to include CD drive in the boot-up sequence.

Disconnect the internet connector.

Do a format C:/u . Note : it is important to do that format c: Specially with the /u because that removes everything, unlike a normal format c:

Reboot with Windows CD in the slot

Re-install Windows from scratch.

Re-install and activate anti-virus software immediately and do a total computer scan.
Remove any virus found on the computer.

Re-install and activate the firewall (either Windows or other)

Re-connect the Internet and do an update of the anti-virus software.

Re-install all other required software

Check all settings and transfer the saved data to where needed.

You have now a computer as fast and clean as when it was purchased.

Success !

I had a problem about two weeks ago and I am practically computer illiterate.
I googed the name of the virus, found a program to get rid of it, downloaded the program, had to pay 29.99 and it wiped the virus out in a minute or so. I wondered if someone could give you a virus, then sell you a fix for the same virus?
But the program is good for 6 months and I can continue or quit.
The virus disquised itself as a windows program wanting to enter. No matter what you select (allow, don't allow, delete) it enters anyhow.

There are a growing number of spoof viruses that make you think it's a virus and offers a solution. The solution costs money and removes the virus and your out a few bucks. Often the solution leaves spyware on your system and nasty popups. On such is the Smitfraudfix program. It removes the bogus virus and screws up your desktop. Best bet is to reinstall windows in a different directory name such as "windows1" That way you can still access your old files and start fresh. You will however have to reinstall any progs you have running on the old version. Be sure to install a new antivirus in the new windows version before looking at or accessing progs on your old windows system. When you boot up it will give you an option to boot from the old version or the new. Copy all files from my documents in the old version to new directories and scan immediately in new version.