So far so good (follow up from my last issue thread)

Well, I scrubbed out and reinstalled windows.

Step by step I updated windows then added the previously mentioned anti-virus/spyware programs...

So far it's clear sailing once again!

Many thanks to all who helped me, especially Greyknight. No doubt I'll be back with another messed up machine.....but hopefully it won't be for a long time :^)