JP Bless,
Sounds like you have been hit by 'a nasty' meaning a virus or malware
Best thing you can do is run AUTORUNS from here in safe mode:
Page:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/autoruns.mspx
Zip:
http://download.sysinternals.com/Files/Autoruns.zip
Look on the LOGON tab & if you can not the ones listed in:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
To start in safe mode:
START COMPUTER
When the white progress bar goes along the bottom, press F8 (function key
8)
& choose SAFE MODE
Login & run the Autorun tool
If you have things like QuickTime Task or RealPlayer Update (TKBell) then
delete them as they aren't needed
List the startup items & send them here
---------------------------------------
You can always download & install Spybot S & D (totally FREE):
http://www.spybot.info
(Scan & delete all RED entries)
HiJackThis (totally FREE):
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/programs.php#hijackthis
With the latter program you can create a log file when you scan the
system.
If you use Outlook Express to view newsgroups then you can attach the log
(like an attachment) to your reply for us to download & check for you. Do
Not paste the entire log in a post as many users will spit the dummy
How to configure Outlook Express as your newsgroup reader:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/support/newsgroups/howto.mspx
All the best & I'll be waiting for your response,