Malwarebytes runs when you decide to update and run it. Not entirely accurate. There are versions of Malwarebytes...as in Malwarebytes Anti Malware Pro - v.2.0.1.1004...that I can personally attest does the following quite efficiently for a one time charge of $24.95 when I purchased it in 2011: "What it does for you Detects and protects against malware in real-time Blocks hacking and phishing attempts Schedules automatic scanning Offers three flexible scanning modes How it works for you Anti-Malware/Anti-Spyware Malicious website blocking Real-time protection Heuristic detection Integrated Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit Hyper Scan mode Scan/Database update scheduler Integrated Malwarebytes Chameleon Advanced malware removal Antivirus compatibility" I suggest you may wish to give it a look at: https://helpdesk.malwarebytes.org/forums HTH Anne

PolarPrincess - If you have a USB port, buy an external hard drive that connects to the USB port and copy ALL of your data (pictures and other personal files) to it. Then your data is safe and you can clean up the rest of the system. If not, burn them to CD for safety. THEN: 1 - Empty the Trash 2 - Search for files on the entire system, using this search pattern" *.bak (those are temporary files that can be deleted) 3 - Delete all of those files. 4 - Empty the trash again. 5 - Search for all *.tmp files and delete them 6 - Empty the trash again. 7 - Run the Windows XP "check disk" utility as described here: http://www.updatexp.com/windows-xp-chkdsk.html It may take quite a while ... 8 - Then try running the defragmentation program.

damccoy, Thanks for the advice and I know you are right and it has been a topic of conversation many times. When I joined the site several years ago I considered the negatives. However, there are a lot of people who need my expertise in various areas where I offer suggestions, advice, help. I usually get from 10 to 30 emails a week from folks in other forums I participate on this site and from folks who lurk the site looking for help and information. I set the email address up especially for this use. I do have it spam filtered and virus checked and surprisingly, only get maybe 5 spams a month mostly from Chinese firms wanting me to sell their products. Spam hasn't been a problem since 2006 but if it does become one, I'll kill the email address. There are some people who just aren't what they say they are and they are just a handle in cyberspace. Most of the folks with real problems, especially in my area, know who I am personally. I do appreciate your advice and from reading many of your posts, I know you are genuinely trying to help!!! Thanks!!

Thanks, folks, I'll pass these suggestions on to her. She lives more than 100 miles from the nearest "computer shop" and is trying to fix the problem with her nephew's help. It has them both stumped. Yes, ever since she installed Microsoft.NET framework 2.0, service pack 2 security update for Windows Vista Service pack she can no longer search for anything (using any search engineÂGoogle, Yahoo, Mozilla). An index page will come up but none of the links/sites will open. She canÂt X-out of that screen. She has to hit Alt/ctl/delete and restart task manager; the whole system closes down and she has to log back on. She can open her bookmarks, but canÂt go anywhere from them. She has a Compaq Presario computer. Windows Vista home basic. She has run McAfeeÂs virtual technician and security scans. They said everything was fine. It isnÂt. She has shut down and restarted her computer several times. Nothing seems to work.