MBP functionality frozen, performance ground to halt

[jamois]

15" MBP never a problem. Purchased 1 yr ago. Suddenly nothing works. Mouse and trackpad work but when I click on anything it either a) doesn't respond b) allows a click but doesn't execute the action or c) does execute but after a huge delay, say 20 mins+. I get the spinning beach ball on everything. It's like a PC style virus that has sapped all the internal memory. I have switched it off and on via the power button multiple times but it takes a good 20-30 mins to reboot. Announces that application x e.g. Skype has shut down unexpectedly but it doesn't improve speed or change anything. I have tried to shut down via the apple menu: the drop down comes up after 5 mins but when i click on shutdown nothing happens. Worried about some virus having been doing some downloads on bittorrent if at all relevant. And to cap it all I am in the jungle in costa rica with no chance of going to someone to help! Can anyone out there help me?!!!!! Thankin you...

 

[wordoflife]

Sounds like the hard drive is about to go. Hopefully you have a backup. If you don't, back it up before the hard drive completely gives out.