Hey guys... thanks for all the help... but I figured it out.
I went into MSConfig and turned off some unneeded system startups and that did the trick. The objects in "My Computer" now show up at reboot.
I did indeed do a quick format ... and I considered doing it again ... only the long way (that's what I get for taking shortcuts), but it's fixed for now.
The virus was a 'java/shinwow' trojan and I actually utilized 5 antivirus scanners (AVG, Ewido, ZoneAlarm, Microsoft, Trojan Remover) and none of those pick up any trace of the aforementioned virus on my system now... so I'm pretty sure that all is well with my system for now. I'll give her another reformat over the summer if I need to, but like I said, thanks for all your help.
