I have what I believe to be a spyware related problem. Its symptoms will take a moment to describe. The first sign is a loss of focus on whatever window is open. I won't be able to maximize or minimize. I won't be able to use the task bar to switch between windows; it only selects multiple programs without maximizing any of them. I won't be able to alt-tab at all. If the program uses text editing of any kind (the address bar in IE, anything in Word, instant messengers, etc.), it does all sorts of wonderful things. The computer acts as if I am holding down shift - all caps and special characters - and I won't be able to turn it off. Certain keys act as if I am holding down ctrl - b makes text bold, p opens the printer folder, etc. Often, I won't be able to type at all, and clicking to place the cursor will usually select all text up to that point, and I won't be able to deselect any of it. Clicking a link will open a new window, regardless of whether the link designates a new window or not. This can last for a few seconds or a minute or so. Unfortunately, it usually comes and goes randomly for a few minutes, making the computer essentially useless. The reason I believe this is spyware related it because it is frequently associated with pop-ups, but not always - I'd say around 75-80% of the time. These usually come towards the end of the bad spell. Some of the pop-ups associated with this problem are: GAIN Publishing 888.com The River Belle Online Casino Camp Name - AmericanSingles.com I use google's IE toolbar to block popups. I use Norton Antivirus, updated regularly, and find nothing. I use SpybotSD, at least once a day, and look for new updates every time I do. I have removed spyware from my startup using msconfig. The problem seems uneffected by any of these (with one exception - the problem usually doesn't occur for a brief time after running Spybot, but the delay is usually short, doesn't last, and sometimes doesn't happen at all. This drives me insane. Please, please, please, does anyone know what causes this, and how to get rid of it? I will be enormously greatful to have control over my computer again. I am running Win XP home addition with a 1.9 GHz processor and 256 mb ram, if this is relevant at all.

when all else fails....do a system restore to before the time this all took place. Then I would do start>run> and type in sfc/scannow and make sure you have your xp disc handy so it can replace the messed up files.

Peter, I appreciate your reply and advice. I've tried a system restore and I've tried returning to my last good settings; both have failed. Unfortunately, I am also experiencing an unrelated problem that leaves me without a drive that can read the XP cd. So, for now, I can't replace any bad files. Hopefully I'll have my drive fixed soon, so I'll be able to give that a try. Thanks again.

i had a similar problem with my drive after a load of spyware problems. what i found was that i had to unplug then reconnect my drive, then do a full virus scan, along with numerous spyware scans in safe mode, delete all the crap, and then restart. seems to have worked

Taco, Thanks for the advice. I'll give that a try.