Hi Jay! I'll bet Eugene is right, you're probably infected with spyware and adware. Some of those, unfortunately, can be a real challenge to get rid of. And with a bad enough infection, you'll notice your computer slowing down and you might even notice some of your programs not working well or at all. If you try a utility like Eugene suggested, it may get rid of all of these and solve your problem. But if you find your computer or certain programs still not working right, a restore may be the only solution. By the way, sometimes our computers get hosed when we download and/or install programs -- have you installed anything recently? Anyway, check your computer documentation or with Dell to see what restore options you have -- on my current computer, for example, I am able to execute a partial restore that will allow me to pick a date in the past when everything worked and revert the computer to that date. In the process, I don't lose any files or data, the computer just backs out all program installations (including spyware and adware) that have occurred since that date, which would include any that might be causing problems. It won't necessarily restore all system settings, though, so if a problem program changed certain settings in the registry, those new settings may remain and may continue to cause you certain problems. The final option, of course, is the full restore that resets your computer to factory settings. This is sure to get rid of your problem but it will also get rid of every program and file, data, etc., you've ever added to the computer. It's also a pain because you have to re-install, re-establish your internet connection and everything else that didn't come factory. It is an option, though, and some do this on a routine basis, as evidenced by the responses you got on the NCFFB. Good luck!!
-- Mike
Chuck Norris has already been to Mars; that's why there are no signs of life.
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