Kat, I've decided to quit concerning myself with it...not much one can do. If it is someone I have traded with (and know) I will maybe put a link to the 'right' (original post with the correct spelling and all), and try and point future posters in that direction...otherwise I figure members can/will take care of it themselves maybe(?). That way, at least I can help those I 'know.'

Here, Joe. Unfortunately I don't think it worked, however. When it rebooted I got the same black screen with flashing cursor. Had to do cnt-alt-del several times (no result), then turned the computer off for a few minutes. Only then did I get a full boot. I also ran Microsoft Security again this morning, and it did pick a suspicious item: exploit: java/toniper. It was fixed. Any other ideas? # AdwCleaner v2.104 - Logfile created 01/05/2013 at 10:35:54 # Updated 29/12/2012 by Xplode # Operating system : Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium Service Pack 2 (32 bits) # User : Owner - OWNER-PC # Boot Mode : Normal # Running from : C:\Users\Owner\Downloads\adwcleaner(4).exe # Option [Search] ***** [Services] ***** ***** [Files / Folders] ***** ***** [Registry] ***** ***** [Internet Browsers] ***** -\\ Internet Explorer v9.0.8112.16457 [OK] Registry is clean. -\\ Mozilla Firefox v17.0.1 (en-US) File : C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\w939nsy6.default\prefs.js [OK] File is clean. -\\ Google Chrome v23.0.1271.97 File : C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Preferences [OK] File is clean. -\\ Opera v [Unable to get version] File : C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\Opera\Opera\operaprefs.ini [OK] File is clean. ************************* AdwCleaner[R1].txt - [3256 octets] - [05/01/2013 07:32:41] AdwCleaner[R2].txt - [3319 octets] - [05/01/2013 07:39:13] AdwCleaner[R3].txt - [3376 octets] - [05/01/2013 10:20:12] AdwCleaner[R4].txt - [1323 octets] - [05/01/2013 10:26:45] AdwCleaner[R5].txt - [1194 octets] - [05/01/2013 10:35:54] AdwCleaner[S1].txt - [3496 octets] - [05/01/2013 10:20:47] AdwCleaner[S2].txt - [1383 octets] - [05/01/2013 10:27:39] ########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner[R5].txt - [1374 octets] ##########

Thanks for sharing the info. I was trying to search for Lars biscotti and never thought about using Google. Good tip :)

Been using DuckDuckGo as my default search engine and recommending it for quite a while. And WTH, I like the duck! Occasionally I also use and recommend IxQuick and StartPage. They're probably about the most private search engines out there. And yes, some don't care. I do. And no, nothing is 100% private, nor secure on the internet. I used to use Mamma (the Mother of all search engines) and Dogpile to avoid the "G" spot whenever I could. I got tired of hearing Oh yeah, the proper term now I was offended by people saying they "googled" something so I didn't want to feed the beast. Seemed as appropriate to me as "I Charmined", "I Red Lobstered" or "I Toyotaed" something. People have to have a nonsensical phrase for everything. Isn't it "delish"? And Joyful, don't forget the Kitchen Table Kommandment Thou shalt not make a joke or someone shalt be offended! ;) Anyway, you should really have more than one search engine when you're searching. Some pick up things others don't. There is no one "best".