Here's the problem: Last week the computer went haywire. I found a new icon on the desktop and suspected a virus or spyware. I ran a virus scan and it was clean. I d/l'ed ad-adware (which I love) and when I tried to run it I got a funky windows error message telling me it's shutting the system the down automatically, which it then does. I have tried to open windows 'control panel' but it will not open. I keep getting numerous messages about dr watson, and motivebridge something or other and it asks to send the error reports. I uninstalled ad-aware and I've tried the diagnostics that came with the computer but the diag finds no problems. This is a cheapie Dell that I got for others to use in my house. My big, expensive Dell runs fine and so does my laptop. So I guess my question is... do you think I have a virus? If so how do I reformat and start over?? I've read thru the xp & dell stuff and THEY don't recommend reinstalling, but what they tell me to do... which is access 'control panel' I cannot do. HELP! By the way if anyone needs to know.. I am on DSL with a wireless network... all the problems seemed to start AFTER we got DSL (but like 2 months after).

Go here. I think I recall a fix for that. http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Failing the above, pop in your Recovery Disk and try and repair the system files, you should get the option whether or not you want to do a complete install, including format, or just replace the system files. Every PC, cheapy or not, should come with a recovery disk. Don't ring Dell, they're useless. Hope this helps The world is full of willing people, some are willing to work, others are willing to let them; just a thought!