And grab a copy of the free version of Malware Bytes.. (option 1) and run it.
Option 2: Take to Staples if/when they are offering a free tune up.. Guess what they use? Stumped, Read option 1 again.
Fact, back in the days of Windows XP (2011 to be specific) My darling daughter handed me a Dell insprion Mini 1010 and said "IF you can get it working it's yours" Symptoms.. I believe same as yours.
Result.. Took me less than 30 minutes to get it working and burn her a CD of her photos.. Yes, I knew what to do.. So I will tell you.. NOTE with an Win 8.1 this is not going to be easy.
Boot to safe mode with command prompt.
Type DIR and press ENTER,, you will get a response, it may or may not show file names, if NOT then reply to me and I'll give you the rest of the procedure.
