Guys, this bug is killing my computer and has crashed it several times already.
None of the virus scanners or Spyware/adware programs are able to find it.
I've been through all of your references and all they did was sent me on a wild goose chase taking me hours I don't have.
I need to figure out what this bug is. One of the Adware programs picked up Coolwebsearch so I downloaded a program designed specifically for removing it, and it never worked, either that, or coolwebsearch is being downloaded by a mother bug.
I found a FILE by some odd name and I ran an internet search to find that it's a name commonly found in adware bugs, although almost all of the results were in another language. I tried to find it again while typing this message but it changed it's name or was moved elsewhere.
This thing is rubbishing my computer. It's already crashed my computer several times, and nothing is detecting it or removing it, and I've tried everything suggested. I know nothing about computer mechanics and you guys must talk to me like so.
Hear are the symptoms I am getting:

* A big pop-up shows up with a half a dozen adds on it titled: TopSearch.

* It downloads other adware and spyware programs that are easier to remove. Roughly 20 per day. Usually multitudes of the same thing.

* It moves files, exes etc. around randomly.

* Makes all of my documents and items from within them appear in list format.

* Duplicates email messages. I've also received triple the regular email since I got it, some with my name, address and personal information listed, i've even gotten phone calls with it from weird telo marketers.

* Crashed my Norton Anti-Virus

* Locked up my Popups&Tools tab on my IE bar.

* Forces caps lock when typing messeges.

* Some times puts a left side bar on the window and creates another window while at it. This also erases any message I may be typing.

* Completely locks up the entire windows display, to wear it gets all these flashes, as if it's bringing up and moving windows around at a rapid pace. When this happens, I am unable to do anything with the computer, not even shut down, therefore am forced to power off while the computer is still running. This happens 1 to 3 times a day for the last 4 days.

* The bug gets larger and new abilities every other day. It also seams to get larger and more powerful when I delete stuff or run a virus scanner or adware checker.

* I get the typical red error messages when the computer boots up.

* It shut down most of my audio reactions, such as the clicking noise the mouse makes, the start up line, new email sound etc.

* The latest thing to start happening is rapid error shut downs ( this program has generated errors and will be shut down by windows....bla,bla,bla.....send error report? )

Earlier on, it also made an alternative error page, removed some of my internet options, converted words on WebPages in to links to porn websites and get rich quick stuff and a couple other things that I have since had corrected ( I think by adaware 6 ).

I have downloaded and updated and used on a daily basis Adaware 6, Norton Anti Virus ( which is actually under attack ), Spybot S&D, CWShreader, X-something, and one other anti-virus program. I also tried and got rid of about 10 others for being impotent to even the easier to remove ones.

I need someone to walk me through this. This thing is killing my computer and I don't know the first thing about finding it, don't even know how to access half of my computer. None of the available information is doing any good and the available software that I know of doesn't know how to kill it, and it gets larger and more dangerous with every failure.
I need help fast!

Odds are you don't have a bug anymore. But it has already trashed your system. No software is going to fix that UNLESS you had done a system state backup BEFORE you got infected.

I would suggest that you use repair from the W2K cd to restore all of the system files. Remove and rerun your updates.

Once your system has been compromised you need new system files otherwise you're in a raft with holes. It's just a matter of time before you sink.

Never be in too much of a hurry. Haste makes waste is a very true saying.

PS TOO much verbage to read in your post.

I suspect it's opened some backdoors and that's why you keep getting re-infected. At this point I would repartition the HD and start over. It's obviously compromised your system to the point you can't be sure about any of your programs anymore. Start with a blank hard drive, install Win2K, install all the patches, then install Norton AV and a good firewall like Zonealarm or Norton. Reinstall all your software from the CDs and scan all data discs before reloading any of these. Then if you ever get asked by an untrusted website if you want to d/l their fonts or "enhancements" to make their webpage display properly say "No" and then never ever go back there again.

try backing up your critical files first
did you run your antivirus in safe mode?

i'd say the same thing as above if you have run it in safe mode

Scsi - What you call your week-old underwear

Try to delete the unnecessary ActiveX controls which are already installed in your PC from "C:\WINNT\Downloaded Program Files". These are generally installed when you visit a site and click on YES button to install/trust the site. Also you can try SPY Sweeper/ Windows washer from www.webroot.com.

What are Active X controls and which ones are un-necessary?

I have Run 2 different anti-viruses in safe mode. No good. Both took me over night to run also.
I do not have a Windows 2K disc. I got my computer used with all those programs already on them.

Go here:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/index.html

Follow all of the instructions. Also, kill the VM Java from Microsoft and install the Sun version of Java. The MS version has lots of holes and that's what they use to infiltrate. Especially, Coolsearch. Install Zone Alarm, Norton Anti-virus and all of the top Anti-Spyware, such as Spyware Guard, X Cleaner, CWShredder, Hijack This!, etc. This will help. It may not solve the slowing down. Once your ship is torpedoed, the damage is done. You may have to rip and rebuild a little. Backup, backup, backup. The easy way is to get another drive and Ghost it.