Hello all, I'm new here. I've been working on computers since the early 90's and I've taken several computer classes so I figured I'd know how to fix my problem, but I don't. I was wondering if you guys would help? Problem: I'm guessing the problem began when I downloaded a bad set of software off of Ares (a p2p program). My computer started acting up in the following ways - (1) when I'm online (albeit through my LAN here at school or on AOL dial-up) the computer starts acting up by taking a long time to process information (ie, if I'm signed onto AOL through dial-up and I go to print or go to open an IE window or I go to open any program for that matter really, the computer often freezes and it sometimes takes five or so minutes until the program actually comes up ... othertimes the program may not open until I've signed off) ... (2) when I'm not online (cables unplugged, etc), my computer is fine and normal ... it runs fine, isn't slow, etc. (3) I stupidly (before realizing that this program messed up my computer) installed the downloaded program on another computer ... and it's having the same problems, so it's not an isolated incident. My Solutions: (1) Virus/Spyware: I figured at first it was some sort of virus (and I suppose it still could be) but I've run Spybot, Ad-aware, Norton, McAfee, and AOL Spyware Protection, and alas ... it hasn't changed anything. (2) System Recovery from CD-ROMs: I've tried this method several times. My computer came with CD-ROMs that supposedly format my hard drive and reload everything onto it ... except I'm still having the same problem(on both computers)when I get to the new, fresh copy of Windows. My Specs: (if this helps any) Windows XP Home Edition Compaq Presario 512 MB Memory 1.67 GHz So, my question is this: does anyone know what to do? What's the problem? Is there a program that I can put on a disk and totally reformat/rewrite all information/settings on my hard drive and other hardwares? I'm stumped. Thanks for your help in advance! ;-)

Warning: Using Ares to make copies of copyrighted material is illegal. Aresgalaxy does not encourage or condone the illegal copying of copyrighted material. Some downloads may contain a virus. Ignis vulpes impero

Grab hijack this and http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html and post a log ( make sure hijack this does not stay in a temp Directory. Create a folder for it and save it there . than open and Scan.