Step one: Go get the newest version of antivirus. I always recommend Norton Antivirus or Internet Security as it offers a full year of virus updates. Please make sure your father always has the software getting the most current updates to avoid problems. Also set the software to scan incomming/outgoing emails.

Step two: Try to start the computer in safe mode (F8 during bootup will do the trick). If you can get into safe mode (I bet $5 you can't), then you can run an SFC (system file checker). I think that the virus was actually a trojan. Go to the MSDOS prompt and type: "sfc /now". You can also do this by using the system information 'tools' menu. You can find the SYstem information in your system tools subfolder to the Accessories folder in the Program directory.

Step three: If you can't get into the computer using Safe Mode, then boot to 3.5 bootup floopy. If you don't have one, shame on you! You can easily make one from another computer running Windows 95, 98, 98SE, or ME. Once you get to the DOS prompt, you can type the same thing as step two (SFC /now).

Step Four: If you have gotten this far and cannot get the computer working...well...you know what you have to do...

It sounds like a winsock modifying virus/trojan. This usually gives a few blue screens in Windows before it crashes your system. However, an up-to-date virus scanner that scans incomming email should never have let this occur.

Hope this helps...