i doubt you will NEED to buy a laptob. as in if is a virus i doubt it could have had destroyed you hard drive. but if it did, it would cost less to buy a new laptob then to have it replaced. one of the first things i would do is go to the BIOS and check if the computer still recognizes your hard drive. do this by hitting del repeatedly when the computer turns on. then after that. make sure you see your hard drive listed, if not. then i would guess it was destroyed. if you see it. I would try reinstalling windows. or mac or what ever it is you used [linux ftw] and about prevention.. backing up your stuff is good[like the dood said in the other post] but also it is good to have a good antivirus and firewall i have and recomend this anti-virus: norton antivus nod32 firewall: outpost firewall outpost is awesome.. it blocks trojans all the time that never come up with teh windwos firewall.. so.. good luck man ;D
