Please help asap! My computer is SLOW!!! Malware is definitely present...

Viruses and worms
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That is correct as long as it is just a bootloader failure and not a total hard drive failure

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Turns out the hard drive is failing… not just a bootloader problem… Kinda bummed out, I don’t know how I’ll get my data off… Any clues?

Also, I have a question. I am afraid to backup my computer as I figure if I get a virus on my computer, then I back up my computer to a hard drive, it would infect the hard drive as well… is this true? Or do viruses not usually attach onto hard drives? If you could give me some information that’d be great. I’ve been trying to find information for myself on Google, but nothing too specific. Thanks!

CW

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I am afraid to backup my computer as I figure if I get a virus on my computer, then I back up my computer to a hard drive, it would infect the hard drive as well... is this true? Or do viruses not usually attach onto hard drives? If you could give me some information that'd be great. I've been trying to find information for myself on Google, but nothing too specific. Thanks!
The backup will reflect the state of the computer at that time, so if it is infected then the infection will be on the backup, albeit inactive
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OK, thanks. So is there anyway to make backups that are virus free? Like how do you go about backing up your stuff?

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I always scan with Avast and MBAM prior to a backup, I also clear all temporary files

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Awesome. Thanks for all the help, man!

Lastly, any tips on getting a hard drive fixed? Tried freezing it, tapping it, pulling the image off of it, and still no dice… Was going to buy another one and switch out the hardware (keep the internal disc) hoping that’d do the trick… what are your thoughts?

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With a hard drive failure the best bet is to get a new one, they are relatively cheap and easy to fit

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Right. Well Ihave already replaced the drive, I am talking about other techniques for recovering the data from my old one.

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Place the old drive in a USB caddy http://www.amazon.co.uk/BIPRA-External-Enclosure-Laptop-Powered/dp/B001EEQQ8Q 2.5" for laptop and 3.5" for desktop

Pop the old drive into the caddy
Plug the caddy into the computer
You may be able to read and recover from there, dependant on how damaged the drive is