Thanks, guys. I'm sorry, I didn't write down the code. Coincidentally, it happened when I opened Chrome which had the same CNet tab open from when I downloaded that other software. After reboot and opening Chrome, Chrome warned that it was not shut down properly and that I could choose to reopen the tabs that weren't saved. I didn't.
I know, probably unrelated. Joe, can the text truly be copied and saved, or do you mean write it down?
The computer has been fine since.... I'm on it now. I took screenshots of the software list and backed up all of the files onto DVD-Rs.
Most importantly, I learned that the system backup could be useless if you can't load Windows properly in the first place.
I'll prioritize a new computer in the next few weeks and migrate to it just in case. Five years was a good run for this one and it's still useful somewhere else.
Again, thank you guys very, very much!
Off to research Win7 v. Win8 now!
