I only have decent internet in "Safe Mode With Networking". When i start Windows XP Pro normally, the internet connection is pretty non-existent. It may open an occasional page or two every hour or so but rest of the time it's like dead. What could be causing this? If it is a virus, then it must be messing up my connection in Safe Mode too, am I right?

safe mode means a minimum of programs/drivers loaded. What you describe is a spyware/malware infection. Or your pc is a bot amoung millions on the web. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intern... update and run your spyware checker update and run your antivirus do a google search on root kits and bot removers. Example of Oxymoron: Person who is pro life and anti sex education. Education is key to prevention. Prevent conception you prevent abortion. Abstinence training clearly isn't working.

I did all kinds of scans using all kinds of scanners (AdAware, SpyBot, Avast, Symantec AV, etc.) It's a fresh installation and it was no wonder that there were no any malware/spyware/virus/trojan infections. It's a clean PC. Still, my internet connection only works OK in Safe mode with networking. I stopped most processes, stripped the Windows down to its bones - no result. It keeps messing up the connection when in normal mode.

I have a very similar problem right now. Have you found a solution for this? My only remaining option is to reinstall the OS.

@glutz78: Yes, I have solved it. I believe a WindowsXP reinstall was what I did.