Yes, I do know you're not suppose to shut computer down with the power button but is was an all else failed situation and even that didn't work. Step two for me was to unplug the thing to shut it down and that's probably a terrible thing to do. But eventually it did start back up after several scary seconds. I just hope I don't have that problem again but it does seem to be an issue for some with windows 7.

You're very welcome, Urlee. I know the frustration of trying to get a new system to do exactly what you want it to do. The February updates were OK. It was the January updates that wreaked havoc with our systems. But that being said...most of the troublesome updates were either removed by MS or corrected. That still doesn't remove the possibility of problems but at this point...I doubt it. MS did away with Gadgets some time ago. I think over three/four years ago. After offering them...they decided they only gave another point of entry for beasties...so they discontinued them. I'm surprised you found the weather gadget. Is it one that you transferred from you old system? Better you should go into your local TV weather site and download a link to their site for your weather. Or link to the National Weather Service...as I do. They're much better than the gadget ever was as far as predictability and reliability are concerned. Enter you zip code in the appropriate box and you'll find daily/weekly forecasts for your area as well as all other weather info. http://forecast.weather.gov I don't use Win Live at all...for anything. I'm a MS Office "girl" and purchased Office 2010 after 2003 reached the point that it wasn't being supported. I use Outlook for my mail program and recommend it whenever I'm asked. I believe that MS offers a free version of Outlook that you might want to take a look at. I don't know all the particulars about it but I'm sure you can find it if you check the MS download site. Beyond that...I don't think your problems are with Acer. I think they're with MS Win7...and once you get over a few bumps in the road setting up your system just the way you want it...you'll be fine. It's just the initial shock of having to get used to new "things". That's why I always hang onto whatever version of Win I'm working with until the very last breath of air remains in the program. :-) I went kicking and screaming from XP 2 directly to Win 7 a few years ago...hating every minute of the acclimation period. But now I think it's the best program MS has offered since XP 2 and I'll probably put up an equal fuss when I have to go to Win 10. :-) Anne

loralee- Problems like you were having typically result from installing programs that you find on the Internet...stuff like that coupon printer, which often typically come with all kinds of pop ups and malware.. Unless you are downloading known programs like Adobe, Firefox, Flashplayer, etc., from reliable sources, you're asking for trouble. And when you try to uninstall these programs they either don't uninstall easily or they uninstall and leave behind things that continue to mess up your computer. There are even programs that you pay for that seem to be legitimate antivirus programs that actually take control of your computer and can make a huge mess of things, and require expert help to get rid of. After you get your computer fixed, please do not download and install any new programs you happen to find online - free or otherwise -or anything that's supposed to fix your computer or find malware because these things often are malware themselves. And if there's something you find that seems legitimate and you really think you have to have it, check here first to make sure that it's not going to mess up your computer again.

Sounds like a MITM (Man in the middle) attack. MITM happens when another person intercepts your connection between your computer and other servers/websites. Pretty much, they sit in the middle. Try the free version of CCProxy software and you should no longer have this problem.