I would not do the one through windows update and go online with out the protection especially since you said you had a problem with it when doing it that way before. The stand alone file you simply select to download it to your pc, to like your desktop or where ever you choose, then once you have the internet connection disabled and have your security programs off then go to where you downloaded that file to and double click it to begin the install of it. Yes you can remove IE8 through add remove before you do sp3 and it will go back to IE6, then as soon as you are back online (with your security programs back on) from the install of sp3 go immediately to your windows updates site and get any other updates and you should be offered IE8. the guidelines link Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Installation Guidelines where to download the stand alone sp3 file from, click the download button and save to your pc, ignore any info there saying it is for IT professionals and not for single pc, this is the only download and is the one everyone uses when not doing it through windows updates. Windows XP Service Pack 3 as to foxit reader, it is a much better choice than Adobe but you do have to make sure it is always updated to the latest version because it also has been targeted by the bad guys. Opening pdf files online has always been a bad habit that is not something new but now more are hitting it with some bad exploits. So whether or not you choose to continue opening them online would be up to you. Since you have foxit now have you removed the Adobe Pdf reader? if not you do still need to keep it updated because having any program on the pc that has not been updated can be a security risk.

Hi, Worked today so just looking at this now. I ran CCleaner and I'd say it found quite a bit to remove! My computer is 5 years old. The dust must have been removed when I took it into my tech guy within the past 6 months. I have Carbonite,an online backup program. I am not great about doing my own even though I have Acronis! I will try to do my own before leaving for a trip in a day and half. I know it's important!! I went to the Event Viewer and saw probably 20 red items. Even if I could figure it out, I don't know that I have the time to figure out 20. I did go to one and was immediately perplexed. I goggled one of the messages and came across a long link started by me to you guys in April. Not that you want to look at it but it was dated 4/7/09 "new thread to try to solve computer problem please." I guess I got rid of the big problem I was having although I'd say I still have issues now and then. When I have to buy a new computer I've decided it is going to be a Mac. Being over 60 it's just not that easy to try and figure this guy out all the time - I never do really, do I? I am told Macs are much easier to use and have far fewer issues. I haven't checked the MS Word site but I will. Unfortunately a Word document I just opened seems to have frozen - not this again! I wanted to get back to you before I played with it for fear of having a frozen computer again. Thanks much!! Ginny

I'd wonder how many toolbars and how many different security programs have been installed/removed over time. I just fixed a computer.. seemed like some of the same symptoms, slow type, slow web. Slow everything. I started with a general clean up my mind thinking virus... but clean as much as possible first to make scans faster... Removed tool bars, a couple of junk programs... it had two usb virus checker programs... when I removed the second one.. instantly noticed it woke up the connection. She had a usb wireless modem so I suspect.. that was it. Zero virus, 1mb connection, peppy little web computer with 512 ram, xpsp3. Removed some ungodly amount of temporary files.

Thought I'd update. Got Windows installed without a hitch, Dell talked me through it. I debated whether to put Win 7 in since I was starting from scratch but worried some of my software might not work Everything went well except I couldn't find drivers for some things such as my wireless adapter so couldn't get on line. Called Linksys and they spent over an hour trying to get the driver in and finally did. That was the best part, finally getting on line and getting hit with a zillion MS updates. I have misplaced or lost some software. We moved here in March and I could not locate my Office disk, wireless mouse/keyboard software and a few other things, might have gotten lost in the move. I'm most concerned about Office 07. I paid for it. Dell says they can't help and I could try contacting MS and see if they would do anything. I haven't moved any of my files back yet. Otherwise, I feel like the computer runs better than when it was new. Things seem different, have to fool with fonts and views, but I'm amazed how effortlessly the machine runs. This computer always seemed to have a few 'glitches' but I was used to it. Now it seems so fast and smooth (of course there isn't much running on it yet.) I don't know how to thank everyone for all the support and help I received. You are the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks! Thanks from the bottom of my heart... Jane