This is how it is.
I have a computer with Vista.
I turn it on and it can't start normally, so I try startup repair.
startup repair can't find a problem, so I try system restore.
System restore appears to already be running.
My options are:
startup repair (doesn't work)
System restore (doesn't work)
Complete PC restore (don't have backup to do so)
windows memory diagnostic tool (crashes)
command prompt (meh)
factory restore (makes it brand new again)

I have important things backed up on a seperate hard drive.
I'm really considering factory restore.

And how would we give a better answer than a computer tech forum?

Because we have real world experience versus textbook learning.

I get a virus like this every once in a while. If you can get your computer to start, run Task Manager, go to the process tab, find processes that look suspicious, close them, then run system restore. Usually the virus will stop system restore from working. If you can't open Task Manager then I'll post a way that you can use to close the processes using Batch Code.

you should have had it so system restore makes a restore point every week.