hmm got quite a few interesting problems with my computer - firstly I had some spyware (popups) but it never worried me so much (I had some removal software and it didn't seem to interfere with normal functioning). But in the last week weird things have started to happen - in internet explorer I can't type the URL and press enter or "Go", it just doesn't work (have to use bookmarked URLs), and microsoft office is also playing up (when I open the "save" or "open" windows and select a file to open/save, the entire application freezes "not responding" and stuff) so I can't save or open any files through office. I am not so great with computers, and I asked my friends what I should do; they said try restoring system and then if that doesn't do anything, reformat. I tried a system restore to two weeks ago but it said "unable to restore". Another problem is I tried to do a backup with the windows backup function, but the wizard froze on me as well... I tried virus scanning with "Norton" which was on my computer, but it didn't come up with anything...do you think it's a virus? anyone got any suggestions about what I should do now...cos Im not really too sure... thanks, sue

what kind of pop-ups? Try an online scan with Housecall, Bitdefender or Kaspersky and see what they find. You may want to clean out all the junk on your PC with Crap Cleaner and also ATF-Cleaner and then do some regular spyware scans with: Spybot S&D Adaware SE Spyware Blaster Post back on how you make out Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

yea I have adaware/spybot/microsoft antispyware but they haven't come up with anything for a while...the popups are like "worlds largest casino" and "dowload free wallpaper" etc I'll try the suggested online scans and keep u posted - thanks

These are all free online scans that will help to remove problems http://www.spywareguide.com/onlinescan.php http://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/ http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

After reading about your trouble not being able to do a system restore I remembered that last night I ran across this article from Microsoft. I don't know if it will help, but you might learn something. How antivirus software and System Restore work together http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=831829 I'm not ignorant, I just need more learning!