Internet / software problem

[Aeroman]

I'm not sure where to post this or even if its Thinkpad related but...

System: Early T40 from summer of '03

All of a sudden whenever I use most search engines in IE or the latest firefox, both browsers crash. Winamp also gives me an error message every time I open it, but only if I'm connected to the internet. If I'm offline it works fine. I'll admit its been a long time since I updated windows (still on XP, SP2) but this appeared out of the blue one day. I did run an Adaware scan after the problem first appeared and it picked up the usual tracking cookies, plus a Trojan program. I cleaned everything off and the virus scans are in the clear, but I still have the problem. I'm afraid to update or do anything to windows, since if something gets screwed up I don't have my own Windows CD or IBM recovery CDs (the recovery CDs never worked before anyway)

Thanks

[poshgeordie]

First off I'd suggest doing a backup of data including browser bookmarks / favourites, and emails including addresses.

Next go and download Eset Nod32 Security Suite 30 day Trial
Note you'll need to get a free key before you can download it.

Note the product keys and then remove all your existing antivirus and spyware programs.
If you have Norton or McAfee go to the relevant sites and download the removal programs as well which remove all the remaining program bits and pieces
Norton
McAfee

Install and run NOD32.

Download and install Malwarebytes program, and then run it.

NOD 32 and malwarebytes is the probably the best current set of programs to check and remove virus's trojans etc.

After that it's down to trying an XP update - note the XP updates do cover some particular trojans so it's a good idea to give it a go.

If XP falls over then you'll have to repair or reinstall XP but this will be difficult if you don't have the CD disks - there again if you press F11 at the start screen, if you have the recovery program installed you'll be able to reinstall a clean XP.

Good luck!

[Aeroman]

Thanks for the reply - it looks like the entire problem was actually with Java Script issues

[poshgeordie]

Glad it's sorted - any chance you could give some details in case someone else has a similar problem?