Well many people have different ways about going through this and so here is what I have done:
I am now hooked up with AOL SE (Security Edition).
It comes with McAfee virus program and a firewall as well.
I get broadband with AOL (and all the features they offer) and the security features for only $25.90 a month!
My computer has never run better and I get it all for like the lowest price I could have imagined.
I know I sound like a commercial, but I am so thrilled with their package.
You need a virus program, no?
You need a firewall too, no?
And today you need nothing less than a broadband connection.
I was going to go out and pay for the security software in addition to paying 45 a month for RoadRunner, but now I am hooked up paying less for the connection and getting so much more.
If my computer had the problem you have, I would try to see what is up with it by doing a check with a virus program. Even if you remove the virus, sometimes the damage could have already taken place.
I also use AdAware and SpyBot too.
If you can fix it easily, do so.
If not, you need to do a fresh install after the format.
But once you do that, you need to be safe and have a virus program as well as a firewall too.
Well, I am happy with my new setup and I hope it is as good as I think it is.
That is what I have done.
The one thing I want to learn though is to make a restore image from Ghost or an equivalent program. Then I could restore things exactly to how they were at a point and do it within like 45 minutes or so.
If nothing else, at least you get to see where I have gone with such problems and what my resolutions have been.
By the way, dcrusupra87, my computer is a Toshiba Satellite labtop, and I think that is what you have too...so you have a similar restore disk that I would have.