Any ideas why? The error message I get reads: Internet EXPLORER has encountered some problems and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience. -- The thing is, it pops up every time you close out of an internet window or popup, and sometimes it comes up for no reason.  It shuts down any internet pages you have open. I think the spyware we had on our computer may have changed some internet settings which makes it do this, but I don't know. This problem has been going for about a week to two weeks. And yes, we have four of the reccommended spyware scanning programs which we run regularly.Do you have SP2 for Windows XP installed?  What "reccommended spyware scanning programs" are you using?  Provide some info about the spyware problem you had?  Why do you feel sure that you are completely rid of it?Not really sure what SP2 is, sorry. Lemme think, I know we have Spy Sweeper, Ad Aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, and... I don't know the other one off the top of my head. The problem was we had mainly a ton of popups, and things were downloaded onto our computer frequently. Every time we ran Ad Aware (before having the other programs) we got about 143+ items found. The basic spyware infestation. I know we've got the problem to a MINIMUM, as we only find tracker cookies, and under ten of those now. Is that about what you were asking for?To verify whether you have SP2, right click on My Computer and select Properties.  If you have it, you'll see "Service Pack 2" under Windows XP.  

How do you connect to the Internet?  Dial-up?  DSL/cable?  Is your computer connected directly to the modem?  In other words, no router?  

And, what about a software firewall?  Do you have one installed?  Are you using Windows Firewall?  

Your description of computer experience indicates you probably had a major spyware infestation.  Even though you've been using spyware detection/removal tools more vigilantly lately, a major spyware infestation can not always be remedied with the tools you mentioned.  

I'll be away from my computer for awhile.  Will check back later.  And, someone else may suggest some steps such as a HijackThis log.I have SP1. We have DSL, and I believe we have a router. We also have SBC firewall, along with the standard windows firewall.desefiar.....  Ok , here's what we know .....
Your using ...WIN XP (home or Pro ) with SP1 ........
My first question is why havent you d/L and installed SP2 ? or or you using a questionable copy of XP .

You have been infected by who knows what ...........

Download, install & update...
CLEANUP
[highlight]Ccleaner[/highlight]
(During install, uncheck the Yahoo Toolbar option)
(After install, set Options>Advanced> 'Uncheck the 48 hour box')
ANTI SPYWARE
Ad-Aware
Spybot S&D
ANTI VIRUS
AVG Free (After install, set Options to 'scan all files')
ANTI TROJAN
[highlight]EWIDO (W2k & XP Only) [/highlight]
     and/or
a-squared (a² Winall)  
 
[highlight]Turn off System Restore if applicable. (ME & XP users) [/highlight]
 
[highlight]Run Ccleaner [/highlight]
Run Ad-Aware
[highlight]Run Spybot [/highlight]
Run AVG Free
[highlight]Run Ewido [/highlight]and/or a-squared (a²)
Re-start in Safe Mode
Re-run AVG Free
 
Re-start in Normal Mode
Turn on System Restore if applicable. (ME & XP users)
Cleanup list provided by Fed
 
...Then provide a Hijackthis log.
PS... Update to SP2.

dl65  

OKay, I've gotten all of the programs you reccommended updated and installed. I still need to download SP2, but I need to know, when I update, will my files get destroyed or ruined? I have quite a few art and microsoft word files that I need on my computer. Will updating to SP2 delete or corrupt these files? Should I save them to a disk? Also, rather pathetic, but how do you start in safe mode?  :-/desefiar..... Quote

I still need to download SP2, but I need to know, when I update, will my files get destroyed or ruined? I have quite a few art and microsoft word files that I need on my computer. Will updating to SP2 delete or corrupt these files? Should I save them to a disk? Also, rather pathetic, but how do you start in safe mode?