Do you run a current Anti virus program and also do you use any spyware programs to get rid of unwanted spyware

I have a current Norton program instlled, also Symantic installed, both running.

calpat,

When you say you're 'trying to restore', are you trying to restore from 'Microsoft System Restore'? There could be a lot of reasons why your system is not restoring, in addition to it being malware related. If any one of your 'restore points' has file corruption it will not restore to a previous point as they are 'daisy chained' (all subsequent restore points are required for a previous restore date).
"All of a sudden my Home Page became a tangled mess of stuff that I had not requested." Besides the 'unrequested weather reports' can you give a little more detail on the 'tangled mess'? Any specific pop-ups or messages? Who are the weather reports from?
Have you downloaded any new programs lately, to include screensavers, wallpapers, or anything of the kind?
When you say you've lost your "home page setup", does that mean that your homepage will no longer load? What browser do you use, IE6, IE7?
You say you have a current Norton program installed, also Symantec. I'm not familiar with the Norton products, but Norton and Symantec are one and the same. Is it a 'security suite' which includes more than one program such as a firewall, antivirus program, and malware programs, or is it a stand-alone program such as an antivirus program only?
Go to 'Control Panel' and open 'Security Center', to see what is listed under 'Firewall' and 'Antivirus'. There should be something listed under Firewall and Antivirus unless Norton shuts down 'Windows Security Center' by default.
Maybe some of the other posters here familiar with Norton will jump in. :-)
Have you scanned you computer lately with your Norton antivirus and spyware programs? If not that would be a good place to start and see if that clears up any of the problems. Make sure to update the programs before you run the scans!

Witz

railheadwitz, thank you so much for your time in trying to help me. I found out that when installing some programs it's necessary to disable security, which makes me uncomfortable, but that's life. I have made a hard copy of your suggestions to keep on hand if this should ever come up again. I was also treated to a visit by the "system restore wizard", which was helpful too. I managed to get my "homepage" back too, sometimes I wonder if computers have an inner being that I'm not familiar with! Thanks again, Pat.

Pat,
I really didn't give you any information that you can use for a specific problem in the future. I'm just trying to figure out if you have all the security software in place that you need- a firewall , an antivirus program, and at least one or more antispyware programs. Don't take this offensively, but some people, because of lack of experience, don't really understand the difference between the programs and what they do. This was me only a few years ago and I'm still learning and always will be. The reason I ask is because it sounded as if you weren't sure what you actually have running on your computer. You mentioned, "I have a current Norton program installed, also Symantic installed, both running." Symantec' took over ownership of 'Norton Utilities' years ago so they are one and the same. Also you have to make sure the virus and malware definitions are up to date. Usually if you have a subscription to one of the major security programs, like Norton, they update themselves automatically when your computer is running, others you may have to update manually.
I generally haven't disabled my antivirus software when I've installed programs, although it's recommended, and haven't run into any problems yet. KoW. I do however disable temporarily my antispyware program, 'Windows Defender', that is actively monitoring my system and has interupted an installation more than once. Most of the antivirus and spyware utilities actively running can be disabled with a 'right click' on an icon in the system tray or from the 'Help' menu in the program itself, and choosing 'Exit' or 'Shut down', etc. Don't forget to turn them back on, 'enable', when through. Also, DON'T download anything from the internet with your antivirus disabled. :-(

You may have become infected with malware that may have affected your 'system restore' and other parts of your computer. You say your getting unfamiliar weather reports, and I was wondering if you downloaded a weather program that may have put more on your computer than you asked for. You never now what you're getting these days. You just can't go to 'google', type in antispyware, click the first sight on the list, and be sure you're getting a reputable program. It may be spyware itself and there's alot of it going around, some of it named similarly to legitimate programs. Here's a website you can go to identify 'the good, the bad, and the ugly': Spyware Warrior. In addition, if you find software programs you think you'd like to try or that sound interesting, check with the people here first and see what they have to say about the program.

This site has a number of good and safe programs on it that you can download for free:MajorGeeks.

I personally use: 'Zone Alarm' firewall, 'AVG free' antivirus, 'Spywareblaster' (which keeps things from getting on your computer to begin with), 'Adaware 2007', 'Spybot Search & Destroy', 'Windows Defender' (which is actively monitoring my system), 'AVG Antispyware, and a paid program 'Spysweeper' (which I use to scan only).
Remember to use only one 'firewall' and 'antivirus' program, but preferably more than one antispyware program as some will 'catch' things that others overlook.
Also, I'm not telling you to get rid of 'Norton', as it is a reputable program, just make sure it is running and 'up to date'.

You're pretty close when you say "sometimes I wonder if computers have an inner being that I'm not familiar with", except 'include the rest of us' in that statement too. LoL.
All we can do is learn what we can from day to day, sometimes through our mistakes, with the understanding that we will never fully understand the 'beast'! :-)
If 'Windows' ever takes you to the brink you can do exactly that with it,___'TOSS IT OUT ONE'. :-)

Witz
P.S. Didn't mean to make this a short novel.

Hey Witz! Sorry I got sidetracked with family for a couple of days. As I mentioned I have made hard copies of your responses, suggestions & mostly I appreciated knowing that there are other people out there, like me, that are a bit computer challenged. Getting into the System Restore Wizard seems to have resolved some of problems, though I'm certain that there are many more awaiting me. Thanks so much for all your time & help, Pat