Avast is an anti virus Malewarebytes is an anti maleware There is a difference I have both but never premium only free versions of them as always. That is all that is needed for the home user. You must have both of which ever ones you choose, they do different jobs for you. Don't be fooled!

zep516 -- Thanks for the response. I followed your advice, downloaded the Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, and ran the full scan. It found (and corrected) 19 PROBLEMS!! The error messages no longer appear at startup. I'm going to download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to my other 2 computers and scan both of them, too. Again, thanks a million for letting me know about the great software! Below is the log which resulted from the scan: Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.39 Database version: 2424 Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 1 7/14/2009 12:13:04 AM mbam-log-2009-07-14 (00-13-04).txt Scan type: Full Scan (C:\:D:\:E:\:) Objects scanned: 216142 Time elapsed: 1 hour(s), 32 minute(s), 38 second(s) Memory Processes Infected: 0 Memory Modules Infected: 0 Registry Keys Infected: 12 Registry Values Infected: 4 Registry Data Items Infected: 1 Folders Infected: 0 Files Infected: 2 Memory Processes Infected: (No malicious items detected) Memory Modules Infected: (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys Infected: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\(36890dc8-c0ea-4ec9-ae63-95ba567d7f60) (Trojan.Vundo.H) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\(36890dc8-c0ea-4ec9-ae63-95ba567d7f60) (Trojan.Vundo.H) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\minibugtransporter.minibugtransporterx (Adware.Minibug) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\minibugtransporter.minibugtransporterx.1 (Adware.Minibug) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\(04a38f6b-006f-4247-ba4c-02a139d5531c) (Adware.Minibug) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\(ec43e3fd-5c60-46a6-97d7-e0b85dbdd6c4) (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\(2b96d5cc-c5b5-49a5-a69d-cc0a30f9028c) (Adware.Minibug) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Typelib\(3c2d2a1e-031f-4397-9614-87c932a848e0) (Adware.Minibug) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Code Store Database\Distribution Units\(2b96d5cc-c5b5-49a5-a69d-cc0a30f9028c) (Adware.Minibug) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\dslcnnct (Trojan.Vundo) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\The Weather Channel (Adware.Hotbar) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Weather Services (Adware.Hotbar) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. Registry Values Infected: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\pivopizuhi (Trojan.Vundo.H) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\cpm53cc8936 (Trojan.Vundo.H) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SharedTaskScheduler\(ec43e3fd-5c60-46a6-97d7-e0b85dbdd6c4) (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad\ssodl (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. Registry Data Items Infected: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\UpdatesDisableNotify (Disabled.SecurityCenter) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. Folders Infected: (No malicious items detected) Files Infected: c:\documents and settings\davy\local settings\temp\e.exe (Trojan.Downloader) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. c:\documents and settings\Davy\local settings\temporary internet files\Content.IE5\OPK5EVO1\load[1].php (Trojan.Downloader) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Dennis, thanks for a well laid out list of problems. It does help those who feel they can see some or all of your problems. AVG is by far the most popular free anti virus and I doubt that is your issue. I would not remove that one. Spyware Doctor I know nothing about. If you have the original CD or the download stored on your computer you could remove it entirely using the Add/Remove and see if that helps at all. Superantispyware and or Malwarebytes could be alternatives to trying Spybot Search & Destroy. If you use Spybot S&D be sure it is in fact that program and not a sound alike rogue program. Have you ran any cleaners at all? Not registry cleaners but the Disk cleanup in the Accessories/System Tools folder of XP. Try that and a defrag, it will help modestly. Do you have Google or Yahoo toolbars and are they allowed to run in the background? The Google Toolbar has either 3 or 4 entries in your Startup and using your resources. Click Start click Run type msconfig click OK click the Startup tab Now check each of these items and decide if they do in fact need to run. Google each entry before deciding to stop one because if you stop the wrong ones the computer may not start again. If you stop any you need to reboot. During the reboot you will get a dire warning, do not be alarmed, place a check mark not to see it again and continue the booting.

try using this program to uninstall it then install your proper version of MSE (be sure you get the one for your version of windows) free AppRemover utility since it is an xp computer you will need to be sure you do not get the 64 bit option. Security Essentials 4.2.223 XP Please check to make sure he is able to get windows updates and also he is able to create restore points. There is an infection we have seen that causes you not to be able to and it also disables the antivirus so just want to make sure. I would also install and run the free malwarebytes and run a full scan just to be sure. It is a program I think everyone should have on their pc, update an run the scan every couple of weeks. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (Win) - Detecting and Removing Malware directions Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.70.0.1100 Download download it from this link.