I have copied part of the message below from Cory Finch (Hope you don't mind Cory). Okay, I'm dealing with a Compaq presario. Windows 98. A virus scan has been run using AVG free 7.0 with the most recent updates (3/11/05), this found and removed a disturbing large number of viruses (160, though only two different kinds). The nature of the freeze would seem to be malicious. The system seems to be trying to deny access to anything that might help fix it. All attempts to download anti spyware software have failed, resulting in a complete lock up (ctrl+alt+del has no effect). As this is the exact problem that I HAD, except now I cannot get as far as loading the Icons on desktop. When the computer loads to this point I get the error message. "This program has performed an illegal operation and will close down". and that is it. it won't load any further. I am using my Grandson's computer at the moment. Is there anything I do to fix this problem. I would really appreciate any advice.

Try running the scans in safe mode.

If doing it in Safe Mode doesn't help try this: Download HijackThis (single file program). Run it and get it to produce a log. Copy/Paste the log into this website: HJT DETECTIVE If there are any entries under "Malicious" then get HJT to remove them all. Don't worry too much about "Suspicious" items at this stage unless you are certain about them. Run HJT again and this time copy/paste it into this website: HJT ANALYSIS This shows all running processes so can be a little more tricky but if the log is now shorter it will help. Google can be useful with file names and don't forget Google Groups. It is sometimes best to put -hijackthis after the search string or you will pick up a lot of other folks logs. If you can now download "Ad-Aware" and "SpyBot Search & Destroy" then do so. Get the updates before running them. It might be worth also running another single file program called CWShredder. This just fixes a specific nasty. Get the latest versions of HijackThis (1.99.1 I think) and CWShredder (2.13 I think). If necessary I'm happy to look at the log after you have done this lot, or if you need a hand with HJT ANALYSIS. Derek.W

Thank you everyone for your help. I did mannage to get as far as Safe Mode and again no icons and then the error message. "This program has performed an illegal operation and will close down". I think I must admit defeat and take it to get fixed. Once again thank you for your advice.

Well, it might be for the best I suppose. I think my #2 would now be the way forward but I do accept that you might end up with a long haul ahead of you. If it is a really nasty one then it can be very tricky to try to fix remotely. Some of these nasties attempt to hide themseleves (name changes etc) and can be quite good at it. Shops have the advantage of being able to get their hands on the machine and also have facilities to backup your stuff and reformat if the worst comes to the worst. Happy to continue if you wish but respect your decision if you prefer to get it looked at. Derek.W

Hello Derek, Thank you for the offer of more help. I wouldn't mind still trying to fix it myself with your help of course. I just didn't want to take up to much of your time. How Difficult is it to reformatt the hard-drive. I have disks to reload windows 98 and some other of my programs, so that isn't a problem. But as my user name says I really don't know anything about computers but can follow directions if they are not to technical. So would realy appreciate your help. Thank you again.Hilda