Okay, I'm dealing with a Compaq presario. Windows 98. Recent change to high speed connection, recent addition of an ethernet card. Recent updates from Microsoft for the OS. 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). After a crash a number of system files where corrupted, resulting in quite old backups (At least six months) being used. So I am uncertain how much of the updates held. 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). Though the software downloads fine on another computer on the same network. I have been able to download other programs. Namely Regseeker (the use of which I prefer to save for a second to last resort) and Winzip. Also typing in the URL of certain websites, specifically the current and former ISPs, results in the same lock up. Microsoft is on the list of affected sites, though rather than a lockup I get a 'security settings to high' error message, which persists regardless of how low I set security levels. I have set the system to run a minimal number of programs at startup. I have tries using an alternate browser in the form of Firefox, Netscape having been one of the victims of the viruses. I would burn copies of the anti-spyware software on a CD and transfer it to the malfunctioning machine, but I do not have access to a CD burner at the moment.

Try an online virus scan at www.housecall.antivirus.com When all is said and done More is said than done..

Download and Run HijackThis, then paste log into here: HJT DETECTIVE If it shows anything "Malicious" then get HijackThis to remove those entries. If it shows "Suspicious" items and you are unsure you could leave those just for now. When you've done this run HJT again and post the new log in here: HJT ANALYSIS This one is more thorough and shows good items too, which is the reason for using this after HJT Detective (with shorter log). Shout if you need a hand with latter. Get "Ad-Aware" & "SpyBot Search & Destroy" at earliest opportunity (before 2nd log if possible). Get Updates to both and run them. Derek.W