sutherlh1,
OK I think you need to start again with this one, I suggest :-

1) Disable or uninstall all virus protections that you have at the moment
2) Disable or uninstall all anti spyware that you have at the moment.
3) Download and install Ad-Aware and update it
4) Download and install Spybot S&D and update it 5) Look a couple of days up this thread and find the info about Trend Sysclean and download and install it (2 downloads).
6) Restart you machine in Safe mode and run the three programs installed above.
7) Restart your machine and apply all microsoft critical updates.
8) Check to see if you still have any problems.

I am not clear exactly what spyware software you are using, you say Adware, if that is not Ad-Aware as in step 3 above then I suggest you dump it.

I would not use Norton either as I dont like it however many people do use it and find it OK. The free AVG Virus protection program is very good.

Keep a note of what happens at each step and let us know how it goes.

Good luck

sutherlh1

First of all it appears that whatever viruses you have/have had are disrupting the scans and your web browsing so keep the computer in safe mode until it is sorted don't even think about booting in normal mode as that gives the virus a chance to re establish itself (I have seen cases where a virus will re infect a machine at startup because it has not been completly cleaned but will not become active for anothe couple of boot cycles).

One of the ways that viruses prevent internet access is by altering the 'Hosts' file. See my post 2489 and check that first. For most people this file is almost empty but viruses tend to insert long lists of AV sites normally preceded by 127.0.0.1 this is what stops your internet access. Let me know what you find in yours.

sutherlh1

I've only just seen Spacemans post which is an excellent procedure to follow. However, I would still check that Hosts file first to make sure you can get to the sites.

Sorry I nmessed up the links :-
Get Ad-Adare form here http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

And Syybot S&D from here :-
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

And I strongly agree with optimists advise re hosts, do that first....

Now I am off to watch Norwich beat Charlton !

Thanks Optimist and Spaceman, I will first go to my hosts file and then go through the detailed steps from Spaceman once i have some assistance from my son tomorrow. Will let you know how I get on. Do you have a link for the AVG free antivirus. I am disappointed with Norton as I have automatic updates set on and have carried out scans very other day. I do have ad-aware not adware antispy software. Here's hoping for a solution, appreciate all the support I have received from this notice board.

sutherlh1, the web address for avg is

www.grisoft.com

sutherlh1

You can find AVG here http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php

I've nothing against AVG but I think you are being too harsh on Norton which is among the best packages. There is no single product that will stop everything hence the current wisdom is to use Adaware, Spybot and a good AV product.

Best of luck.

I'd just like to say that this must be the best topic on the AM board, or other boards come to that! It makes the subscription worth itself for the friendly help that anyone can get. Funny how the best help is on a site for "shares" ain't it!

I reckon that the experts here must have more patience than most! Thanks to everyone involved. I have learn't more here than from countless mags and internet sites.

I have a bit of a problem looming on my machine but will leave it till tomorrow because another bottle of red is calling.

Red wine in the keyboard?

;-)

Voices in the bottle...

Doh! ............ my Sunday morning head!

Opened up my hosts file in safe mode as suggested by Optimist. There are 6 files in this. They are hosts(1kb) modified 10/11/04, HOST.bak (1kb)modified 10/11/04 and 4 others modified 0n 21/07/01 before I bought my computer. I haven't been too adventurous yet as my son is still in his slumbers. I opened the first file with notepad and it seemed just to describe what type of file it is. I tried opening the second file with notepad and got the response 'windows cannot open this file' I just closed down the hosts file without modifying obviously.
Again, very much appreciate all the support I am getting from this notice board

sutherlh1

The file that you want is 'hosts' with no file extension.

Mine begins with

# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.

Any lines begining with # are comments. Look for lines begining
'127.0.0.1' the only one should be

127.0.0.1 localhost

any others can be deleted.

The recent modified date on your file suggests that something has changed it recently possible an AV scan or possibly a virus. Beware of rouge lines being hidden after multiple blank ones.

Best of luck.

Thanks optimist, opened this file and it seems to be similar to yours. I only have the line 127.0.0.1 localhost. All the rest of the lines are preceded by # apart from two. These are
1) my first line is '216.93.168.167 auto.search.msn.com' which precedes your first line,
and 2) there is a line after line '# Additonally' which is 'comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual'. The next line is '# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol'
Most grateful for your help so far

sutherlh1

That means that your Hosts file is OK, at least for the time being, but I'm still worried about the recent modification date.

Keep your computer in safe mode and follow the procedures in Spacemans post above. With a bit of luck you should end up with a clean computer.

Oh dera! Nwo its' drinkin gon aSunay! Another botul pleez!

Excuse me, but, how do you make the quick start bar (in XP) display more than 3 items?

Ta, in advance.

Drag the right hand edge.

Optimist

Tried that but it won't let me.

Edit : Prat that I am. Forgot about the 'unlock' facilty. Effects of the weekend's wine??? Thanks

Now trying Mozilla as 1 of my browsers.

When I use IE it puts in my other browsers toolbar (Yahoo) which I find useful for getting at Yahoo mail. Any idea of how to set this up in Mozilla please? I can see how to install new toolbars but not how to import a specific icon from another browser.

PS I like Yahoo mail 'cos it stores it in web cyber space for me.

Anyone got the telephone number for customer support for Symantec
I've lost it and really need to contact them. Have apparently to
configure Norton Internet Security to stop it blocking AOL broadband
Cheers people!!!