I picked up a very damaging virus.

Why are you booting up from a CD?

Do you use a wireless keyboard and mouse? If so, try connecting a wired keyboard and mouse into the right connections at the back, then start the computer. Do they respond properly?

You say you cannot connect to the internet very well. Does that mean you can some times but not others? When you are connected to the internet, are you able to browser web pages? if not, what error messages do you see?

What browser do you use?

Ca you tell us more about this computer, the specifications, and when did this problem start? What was happening when it started?

Mark

set up to be part of a bot net & the remote attacker has taken some control of your machine.

The first attack mentioned is, I believe a password stealing trojan (hoping for bank ID etc).
First, you need to get that machine physically disconnected from any form of internet connection (to break remote controls).
Try Following without OS CD in place:

Have you tried running System Restore FROM Safe Mode (w/command prompt) to by pass attack disabled regular Sys restore function?

1. Restart your computer, and then press F8 during the initial startup to start your computer in Safe Mode with a command prompt.
2. Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator credentials.
3. Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
4. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to an earlier state.

Then on your Laptop (do NOT allow LAN connection to the infected machine) bring down & burn to CD the following programs and try to run in this order:

1)download & burn/save to CD "Stinger" from link below. I believe Stinger hits about 400 of the most currently common & nasty Viruses & Trojans.

It's BIG advantage is that it doesn't have to be installed nor need updates.
You simply place it in you CD/DVD drive and from desktop click to open My Computer then click to open & run the D: or E: or ? drive the CD is in. It runs as an application without install.

Personally, when downloading & saving Stinger, I re-name it at the "save as" screen to anything else to prevent malware from recognizing it (i.e.: "beehive.exe"). Hope this helps get you back to using other means for follow-up. All below free to use for personal machine.
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

2)Anti-Rootkit Programs (Try Avira first as also a application: no install) &/or Blacklight anti-rootkit.
Avira AR: http://www.free-av.com/en/tools/4/avira_antirootkit_tool.html


Blacklight Main page: http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/
Blacklight download page: http://www.f-secure.com/security_center/
If Blacklight finds files, they suggest you contact their support area for specific removal steps.

After that (depending on then current status) you may try MBAM.Exe & SAS. Instructions & links here:
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6132_102-0.html?forumID=32&threadID=329090&messageID=2972614&tag=forums06;forum-threads

All above may be hopeless IF you can't run any or all but worth a try.
If it doesn't get you back to near normal, perhaps near enough to try the reformat again. This probably should have gone to Spyware/Viruses & Security forum here but I understand desire to reformat first & avoid the rest!! Good Luck & lets us know if any help!