hi guys, (hope this is in the right section)

i'm having a bit of trouble with the internet on my pc.
i re-formatted my pc yesterday and as soon as i used internet explorer to download firefox i started getting spyware pop-ups so i decided to download ad-aware.

it got rid of most of it, i then downloaded all the windows updates INCLUDING service pack 2 to help GET the computer up to date.
ever since then i can use the internet for about 5 minutes max and then i cannot open anymore pages, i dont get any messages or anything just a blank page.

i can only use the internet in safe-mode and its very annoying.

on windows firewall i've made sure that it doesnt block firefox,
i've also tried doing a system restore to when i first formatted the pc but i cant as there are no restore points.

any help would be appreciated. hopefully i've made the problem clear.

harry.Re-install (clean) Windows + a Firewall, Antivirus and Antispyware before connecting to the net.Hi.. I would have to agree with FED.... Reformat the computer and install some type of spysweeper and an anti virus software.. I would prefer Adaqare 6 and AVG Free and then you can connect to the net..
I hope that helps... thanks for the suggestions, I re-formated the pc before reading the thread, my brother managed to download avg before i formated and I found that firefox, ad-aware, MEDIA player and other programs were infected with virus's.
It is absolutely essential before connecting to the net that:
1/ A properly instituted and administered firewall is in PLACE and by that, I do not mean the Windows firewall!
2/ A properly instituted and administered antivirus solution is in place

Even then, connect only to Windows Update (Critical fixes only) and your anti virus update location. At this stage, a well maintained [highlight]HOSTS file[/highlight] can afford invaluable protection.
Before connecting to anything else, ensure that full anti malware protection is in place and then update that.

If you need to download an antivirus solution, firewall etc, do it now and BURN it to CD from what should be a certified clean system.