Here is the direct link from AVG on exactly how to upgrade your AVG. As Owbist says do not remove your current version. direct from the FAQ page on AVG "To install AVG 8.0 Free Edition over the current AVG 7.5 Free Edition please proceed as follows: * Download the latest AVG 8.0 Free Edition installation file from our website. * When you are prompted, please do not open this file directly from the Internet, but click the "Save" button and choose a location, where the installation file should be stored (we recommend saving the file to the Desktop). * Reboot your computer. * Close all running applications, locate the downloaded AVG 8.0 Free Edition installation file (it has a four color square icon and its name starts with AVG_...) and launch the installation. * Follow the installation wizard to install the new AVG 8.0 Free Edition(previous version of AVG will be automatically removed during the installation process). * If a restart is required after the initial configuration, please reboot your computer to finish the installation" Here is a link that might be useful: AVG directions on how to upgrade to AVG8

That sounds like Virut virus lets hope not though..... Unfortunately, the virus infects every .exe and .scr (actually an executable) file on your system, and when you scan with a virus scanner, it will normally delete it as uncleanable. Eventually you end up loosing more and more files. The only viable alternative is to format the system. You will need to backup your important files before a format and reinstall, but you can not backup any .exe or .scr files, because they are infected. Good luck...

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.

AVG (from Grisoft) is an excellent free antivirus and they have a more robust pay version available. I prefer it to Avast, but it's good too. Avira AntiVir has a loyal following too. There's a lot of free programs out there and in reality, if you keep them updated and use them properly, they'll all serve you well. McAfee is, well, McAfee. I wouldn't use it on a bet. That's one that I've had so much trouble in the past that I wouldn't use it, but in fairness, I haven't used it in years so they may have changed. Norton still is a fine program but it's not as user friendly as are a lot of others. People with limited computer experience don't understand it and that causes a lot of trouble. Historically, amateurs liked McAfee and pros preferred Norton. I quit using Norton about 7-8 years ago. Been using AVG for 10+ years on various machines. It's standard equipment on all machines I set up and has been for a long, long time. Now let's clear up some myths. Especially this one about Norton taking over your system.... Did you know that's for your BENEFIT?. Many viruses, spyware and malware programs will go in and turn off your anti-malware programs. By having it deep in there like that it helps to prevent that from happening. The ones that chant conflict seldom know of what they speak. For many years I ran 3-4 antivirus programs, just not all at the same time. When I was with the PI firm and handling a lot of sensitive data I couldn't risk infections so I'd run a minimum of 3 AVs on any attachment. Anyone that says only a tech can remove Norton is full of crapola. Period. But it makes for good gossip doesn't it? With McAfee and Norton both, you simply run the removal tool you can download from the manufacturers' web sites and it's pretty much automatic. Far worse is the way AOL embeds itself into a system. Or at least how it used to worm its way in. That program did truly approach a virus-like embedding. And the fool that says you can't get malware from dialup? Spray her in the face with a water bottle and ask if she's been eating paint chips! Totally untrue! An antivirus is only one part of a layered security approach to maintaining a safe computer. You should have a good firewall and I like Comodo. One of the easiest and most effective ones out there. Don't forget to get Windows Updates regularly. Especially if you use the swiss cheese of browsers and mail clients - Internet Explorer and Outlook/Outlook Express. You're begging for trouble by using them but many refuse to secure their systems. Antivirus has been covered. Keep it updated. Anti-malware. Malwarebytes is one brand of antimalware software. I prefer Spybot Search and Destroy and A-squared but I keep Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware on my machine for an occasional backup check. Ad-aware used to be my program of choice but I stopped using them a few years ago. Ccleaner is an excellent program for cleaning up your machine and Iobit's Advanced SystemCare is an excellent program for both cleaning and tweaking your system. WinPatrol is an excellent program to guard your system. It'll tell you when things are added to your startup, changes made to your browser and more. Another important thing is use common sense. Don't believe everything you get in an email for one thing. Any important documents should be backed up regularly in a variety of forms. That way if you have one bad backup you won't lose everything. I don't have sympathy for people who keep their entire lives on the computer and then lose it to corruption or theft. Again, common sense. You should do disk checks, clean out temp files and defrag your machine often. All this helps keep a machine performing better. If you use Opera and customize it, you can back up your settings with Operafly. Firefox can be backed up with Mozbackup and FEBE. Any program with a built in backup, should also be backed up regularly if it's of any importance to you.