[Peddament]

I got involved in PC gaming about 4 years ago, but hardware problems have plagued me ever since. My first computer, an IBM, had a lot of problems and eventually just shut itself down (unrelated to gaming as far as i know, i believe it to be an IBM hardware problem). My second computer, a Compaq, often became over-loaded or bugged out, losing .DLL files like it was it's job, and it too had to be abandonded. My third computer, a Hewlett Packard, seems to work well but some games just randomly close without warning (not many, i think it might be a problem with the games and not the PC) while others have serious audio problems in cinematics (see this post for details: http://www.geekstogo...p?showtopic=732 ). One isolated problem was Warcraft 3, which ran fine, but the expansion pack The Frozen Throne would experience random disc reading errors and i would have to pop the disc in and out several times before it would register.
I have decided that either seriously renovating this PC (the Hewlett Packard) or building a new one are my only options. However, i have never built a computer before, and know very little about them in that respect. I have a few questions that i hope you can help me with.
1) Where can i learn about building PCs and about their components, keeping in mind i know almost nothing right now (so i need a easy-to-understand tutorial of sorts)?
2) How can i determine the best video card, sound card, processor, etc for my system (keeping in mind that i use it primarily for gaming, and internet use being the only other thing i generally use the PC for)?
3) I have Adelphia Powerlink Broadband as my ISP, but have downloaded a substantial amount of Audio and Video files from Kazaa over time. Pop ups were a problem until i bought a pop-up blocker, but does the presence of so much Kazaa files on my computer affect my gaming (if i do not have Kazaa running at all when trying to play a game).
4) Someone told me i should buy a new hard drive, what does this mean, and how will it affect my current saved files and general PC operation?
5) What would you estimate (if possible) that building a new PC would cost me? What about modifying my current PC?
6) Which of the two options would be easier?
7) How did you learn about this sort of thing?

Thank you very much for your time in reading my post and answering my questions, I greatly appreciate the effort you have put forth, it is very very helpful indeed.

[Advertisements]

1) Where can i learn about building PCs and about their components, keeping in mind i know almost nothing right now (so i need a easy-to-understand tutorial of sorts)?

Here's some links to building your own PC:
http://www.amdmb.com...p?ArticleID=252
http://www.hardocp.c...e.html?art=NTM1
http://www.tomshardw...0904/index.html

2) How can i determine the best video card, sound card, processor, etc for my system (keeping in mind that i use it primarily for gaming, and internet use being the only other thing i generally use the PC for)?

Why don't you give us the specs for your current system, and we'll be better able to help you decide whether to upgrade or build.

Gaming is the most demanding thing you can ask a PC to do. If you want to play modern games, it also requires modern hardware. Often the part of a gaming PC most overlooked is the graphics card, yet it has the greatest impact on frame rates, resolution, and detail.

3) I have Adelphia Powerlink Broadband as my ISP, but have downloaded a substantial amount of Audio and Video files from Kazaa over time. Pop ups were a problem until i bought a pop-up blocker, but does the presence of so much Kazaa files on my computer affect my gaming (if i do not have Kazaa running at all when trying to play a game).

It's not the number or size of files, but the bugs that are sometimes loaded with them. Kazzaa itself is full of spyware, and won't even work if you remove it. Shareaza seems to be a good spyware free alternative.

If you've spent much time reading these forums you quickly learn that spyware often goes undeteced until it starts causing problems. Spyware can cause almost an unlimited number of problems.

4) Someone told me i should buy a new hard drive, what does this mean, and how will it affect my current saved files and general PC operation?

The only reason to purchase a new hard drive is for additional storage, or if you suspect yours to be failing.

5) What would you estimate (if possible) that building a new PC would cost me? What about modifying my current PC?

You should be able to build a pretty decent gaming PC for about $1000
Intel: http://www.extremete...,1549334,00.asp
AMD: http://www.extremete...,1558479,00.asp

6) Which of the two options would be easier?

Building a PC is actually pretty easy, but upgrading will be easier.

7) How did you learn about this sort of thing?

I actually spent a lot of time on forums like this, and of course trial and error.

[admin]

1) Where can i learn about building PCs and about their components, keeping in mind i know almost nothing right now (so i need a easy-to-understand tutorial of sorts)?

Here's some links to building your own PC:
http://www.amdmb.com...p?ArticleID=252
http://www.hardocp.c...e.html?art=NTM1
http://www.tomshardw...0904/index.html

2) How can i determine the best video card, sound card, processor, etc for my system (keeping in mind that i use it primarily for gaming, and internet use being the only other thing i generally use the PC for)?

Why don't you give us the specs for your current system, and we'll be better able to help you decide whether to upgrade or build.

Gaming is the most demanding thing you can ask a PC to do. If you want to play modern games, it also requires modern hardware. Often the part of a gaming PC most overlooked is the graphics card, yet it has the greatest impact on frame rates, resolution, and detail.

3) I have Adelphia Powerlink Broadband as my ISP, but have downloaded a substantial amount of Audio and Video files from Kazaa over time. Pop ups were a problem until i bought a pop-up blocker, but does the presence of so much Kazaa files on my computer affect my gaming (if i do not have Kazaa running at all when trying to play a game).

It's not the number or size of files, but the bugs that are sometimes loaded with them. Kazzaa itself is full of spyware, and won't even work if you remove it. Shareaza seems to be a good spyware free alternative.

If you've spent much time reading these forums you quickly learn that spyware often goes undeteced until it starts causing problems. Spyware can cause almost an unlimited number of problems.

4) Someone told me i should buy a new hard drive, what does this mean, and how will it affect my current saved files and general PC operation?

The only reason to purchase a new hard drive is for additional storage, or if you suspect yours to be failing.

5) What would you estimate (if possible) that building a new PC would cost me? What about modifying my current PC?

You should be able to build a pretty decent gaming PC for about $1000
Intel: http://www.extremete...,1549334,00.asp
AMD: http://www.extremete...,1558479,00.asp

6) Which of the two options would be easier?

Building a PC is actually pretty easy, but upgrading will be easier.

7) How did you learn about this sort of thing?

I actually spent a lot of time on forums like this, and of course trial and error.

[Peddament]

This is going to sound stupid, but how exactly do i check out my system specs (without manually opening it)? I used to know how to check what video card, sound card, processor, etc i had, but i can't remember now and none of my friends recall either.
Thank you for all the help on my previous post too, much appreciated.

[admin]

No problem,

Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.co...e_download.html
AIDA32: http://www.aida32.hu...32-download.php

[Peddament]

Here are my system specs (what i think is relevant):
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (build 2600)
System Model: HP Pavilion 04 D7211L-ABA 7905
Processor a: 1.60 gigahertz AMD Athlon XP
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Main Circuit Board b:Board: Asus Tech A7M266-M 1.06
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies LTD 3.09 10/18/2001
Drives: 75.29 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
14.31 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

SAMSUNG DVD-ROM SD-616F [CD-ROM drive]
TDK CDRW5200B [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

WDC WD800BB-22CCB0 [Hard drive] (80.03 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WMA9P1118237, rev 22.04A22, SMART Status: Healthy

Memory Modules c,d: 1024 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM1' has 512 MB
Slot 'DIMM2' has 512 MB

Local Drive Volumes

c: (on drive 0) 75.29 GB 14.31 GB free

Display: NVIDIA GeForce3 Ti 200 [Display adapter]
HP v70s [Monitor] (15.7"vis, s/n TWTCN03546, April 2001)

Bus Adapters: VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller

Multimedia: Creative SB Live! Series (WDM)
Creative SBLive! Gameport

[admin]

Wow! That should be a pretty good gamer. Let us take a closer look at what is running on your PC. We'll need you to use a free diagnostic tool (HiJackThis) and post a log back here with the results.

Click the HijackThis Guide in my signature, download it and follow the instructions in the guide.

Most of what it lists will be harmless or even essential, DO NOT delete or modify anything yet! Someone will be along to tell you what steps to take after you post the contents of the scan results.

[Peddament]

Sorry about the delay, here is the log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 6:07:57 PM, on 4/9/2004
Platform: Windows XP (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 (6.00.2600.0000)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
C:\DOCUME~1\Owner\APPLIC~1\lopsearch.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Comet\Bin\cstray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMESys.exe
C:\Program Files\DownloadWare\dw.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\SahAgent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\P2P Networking\P2P Networking.exe
C:\Program Files\Common files\updmgr\updmgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\WINAMPA.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wjview.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\McAfeeAV.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\iexpl0re.exe
C:\WINDOWS\wt\updater\wcmdmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM95\aim.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\PANICW~1\POP-UP~1\PSComp.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GMT.exe
C:\Program Files\hp center\137903\Shadow\ShadowBar.exe
C:\Program Files\hp center\137903\Program\BackWeb-137903.exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\DOCUME~1\Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp\gin1.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\DESac10B.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\devldr32.exe
C:\Program Files\WebSavingsfromEbates\WebSavingsfromEbates.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\EHOJ25Q5\HijackThis[1].exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://if.searchcent...124171921681100
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.lop.com/searchbar.html
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://us3.hpwis.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://default-homep.../start.cgi?hklm
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://server224.sma...t/7search/?hklm
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.lop.com/searchbar.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://us3.hpwis.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://if.searchcent...124171921681100
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
R3 - URLSearchHook: IncrediFindBHO Class - {5D60FF48-95BE-4956-B4C6-6BB168A70310} - C:\PROGRA~1\INCRED~1\BHO\INCFIN~1.DLL
R3 - URLSearchHook: PerfectNavBHO Class - {0428FFC7-1931-45b7-95CB-3CBB919777E1} - C:\PROGRA~1\PERFEC~1\BHO\PERFEC~1.DLL
O1 - Hosts: 12.129.205.209 search.netscape.com12.129.205.209 sitefinder.verisign.com
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {000006B1-19B5-414A-849F-2A3C64AE6939} - C:\WINDOWS\bi.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {00000EF1-0786-4633-87C6-1AA7A44296DA} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\calsdr.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {000020DD-C72E-4113-AF77-DD56626C6C42} - C:\WINDOWS\twaintec.dll
O2 - BHO: NavErrRedir Class - {0428FFC7-1931-45b7-95CB-3CBB919777E1} - C:\PROGRA~1\PERFEC~1\BHO\PERFEC~1.DLL
O2 - BHO: myBar BHO - {0494D0D1-F8E0-41ad-92A3-14154ECE70AC} - C:\Program Files\MyWay\myBar\1.bin\MYBAR.DLL
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: CCHelper - {0CF0B8EE-6596-11D5-A98E-0003470BB48E} - C:\Program Files\Panicware\Pop-Up Stopper Companion\CCHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Companion BHO - {13F537F0-AF09-11d6-9029-0002B31F9E59} - C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\ycomp5_0_2_1.dll
O2 - BHO: Activater - {1E1B2879-88FF-11D2-8D96-D7ACAC95951F} - C:\Program Files\CommonName\Toolbar\CNBarIE.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {4A2AACF3-ADF6-11D5-98A9-00E018981B9E} - C:\Program Files\NewDotNet\newdotnet6_22.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-DFF7-EC6BF4D5FA7D} - C:\WINDOWS\gsim.dll
O2 - BHO: NavErrRedir Class - {5D60FF48-95BE-4956-B4C6-6BB168A70310} - C:\PROGRA~1\INCRED~1\BHO\INCFIN~1.DLL
O2 - BHO: MediaLoads Enhanced - {85A702BA-EA8F-4B83-AA07-07A5186ACD7E} - C:\Program Files\MediaLoads Enhanced\ME2.DLL
O2 - BHO: BabeIE - {A6475E6B-3C2E-4B1F-82FD-8F1C0B1D8AD0} - C:\Program Files\CommonName\Toolbar\BabeIE.dll
O2 - BHO: CSBHO - {D14D6793-9B65-11D3-80B6-00500487BDBA} - C:\Program Files\Comet\Bin\csbho.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {D44B5436-B3E4-4595-B0E9-106690E70A58} - C:\DOCUME~1\Owner\APPLIC~1\plg_ie0.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: CommonName - {A3E3F04C-F98C-4295-95EF-41C57425B077} - C:\Program Files\CommonName\Toolbar\CNBarIE.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Accessories - {9B35A850-66AB-4c6d-8A66-136ECADCD904} - C:\DOCUME~1\Owner\APPLIC~1\plg_ie0.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\ycomp5_0_2_1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Comet Toolbar - {FE6BC4EF-5676-484B-88AE-883323913256} - C:\Program Files\Comet\Bin\csietb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &SearchBar - {0494D0D9-F8E0-41ad-92A3-14154ECE70AC} - C:\Program Files\MyWay\myBar\1.bin\MYBAR.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: Pop-Up Stopper &Companion - {8F05B1A8-9D77-4B8F-AF54-6B2202066F95} - C:\Program Files\Panicware\Pop-Up Stopper Companion\popupus.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv] c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PS2] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [wcmdmgr] C:\WINDOWS\wt\updater\wcmdmgrl.exe -launch
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPGamesActiveMenu] C:\Program Files\WildTangent\ActiveMenu\HP\Games\ActiveMenu.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [abtu] C:\DOCUME~1\Owner\APPLIC~1\lopsearch.exe -QuieT
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CC2KUI] C:\PROGRA~1\Comet\Bin\cstray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CMESys] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMESys.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MediaLoads Installer] "C:\Program Files\DownloadWare\dw.exe" /H
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PromulGate] "C:\Program Files\DelFin\PromulGate\PgMonitr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINDOWS\System32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SAHAgent] C:\WINDOWS\System32\SahAgent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Belt] C:\WINDOWS\Belt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [P2P Networking] C:\WINDOWS\System32\P2P Networking\P2P Networking.exe /AUTOSTART
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [updmgr] C:\Program Files\Common files\updmgr\updmgr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Winampa Agent] WINAMPA.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [New.net Startup] rundll32 C:\PROGRA~1\NEWDOT~1\NEWDOT~1.DLL,NewDotNetStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [alchem] C:\WINDOWS\alchem.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WebSavingsfromEbates] wjview /cp:p "C:\Program Files\WebSavingsfromEbates\System\Code" Main lp: "C:\Program Files\WebSavingsfromEbates"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [McAfee Antivirus] McAfeeAV.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Internet Explorer] iexpl0re.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DESac10B] C:\WINDOWS\System32\DESac10B.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [McAfee Antivirus] McAfeeAV.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Internet Explorer] iexpl0re.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MoneyStartUp] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\Money Startup.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\Program Files\AIM95\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WkDetect.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NVMCTRAY.DLL,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PopUpStopperCompanion] "C:\PROGRA~1\PANICW~1\POP-UP~1\PSComp.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [Winampa Agent] WINAMPA.EXE
O4 - Startup: PowerReg Scheduler.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: GStartup.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GMT.exe
O4 - Global Startup: hp center UI.lnk = C:\Program Files\hp center\137903\Shadow\ShadowBar.exe
O4 - Global Startup: hp center.lnk = C:\Program Files\hp center\137903\Program\BackWeb-137903.exe
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: Add A Page Note - C:\Program Files\CommonName\Toolbar\createnote.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Bookmark This Page - C:\Program Files\CommonName\Toolbar\createbookmark.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Email This Link - C:\Program Files\CommonName\Toolbar\emaillink.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Search using CommonName - C:\Program Files\CommonName\Toolbar\navigate.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Web Savings - file://C:\Program Files\WebSavingsfromEbates\System\Temp\ebateswebsavings_script0.htm
O9 - Extra button: AIM (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Related (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links (HKLM)
O10 - Hijacked Internet access by New.Net
O11 - Options group: [CommonName] CommonName
O12 - Plugin for .bcf: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPBelv32.dll
O12 - Plugin for .pdf: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\nppdf32.dll
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Chess - http://download.game...nts/y/ct1_x.cab
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://www.apple.com...ex/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {0C568603-D79D-11D2-87A7-00C04FF158BB} (BrowseFolderPopup Class) - http://download.mcaf...ed/MGBrwFld.cab
O16 - DPF: {166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000} (Shockwave ActiveX Control) - http://download.macr...director/sw.cab
O16 - DPF: {1D6711C8-7154-40BB-8380-3DEA45B69CBF} (Web P2P Installer) -
O16 - DPF: {2B323CD9-50E3-11D3-9466-00A0C9700498} (Yahoo! Audio Conferencing) - http://us.chat1.yimg...v43/yacscom.cab
O16 - DPF: {39B0684F-D7BF-4743-B050-FDC3F48F7E3B} (FilePlanet Download Control Class) - http://www.fileplane...DC_1_0_0_41.cab
O16 - DPF: {3C5BA506-6C30-4738-9CED-797ACADEA8DC} (Loader Class) - http://www.search-fe...ar/SQLoader.cab
O16 - DPF: {41F17733-B041-4099-A042-B518BB6A408C} - http://a1540.g.akama...meInstaller.exe
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://bin.mcafee.co...55/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {56336BCB-3D8A-11D6-A00B-0050DA18DE71} (RdxIE Class) - http://207.188.7.150...ip/RdxIE601.cab
O16 - DPF: {65E7DB1D-0101-4100-BD66-C5C78C917F93} (WTDMMPVersion Class) - http://install.wildt...lim/install.cab
O16 - DPF: {70BA88C8-DAE8-4CE9-92BB-979C4A75F53B} (GSDACtl Class) - https://www.gamespyid.com/alaunch.cab
O16 - DPF: {7D1E9C49-BD6A-11D3-87A8-009027A35D73} (Yahoo! Audio UI1) - http://chat.yahoo.com/cab/yacsui.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macr...ash/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} (Yahoo! Companion) - http://us.dl1.yimg.c...ebio5_0_2_1.cab

[admin]

Wow, that's quite a lot of spyware. It very likely is slowing down your system. For more info on spyware see the Spyware Tools link in my signature.

Let's start with a couple of free programs:
CWShredder is the first to run. Here's why: If a CoolWebSearch variant is indeed running on your system, it may actually prevent you from running spyware scans. It is smart enough to detect efforts to detect it, and stop them. Download CWShredder to your desktop or other location. Close all browser windows, double click the CWShredder icon to run, then click the Fix -> button. When finished, reboot and run Spybot Search & Destroy.

Spybot Search & Destroy Download and install. Start Spybot S&D using the "Spybot-S&D (easy mode)" link from your Start menu . Click the Search for updates button, if any are found then click the Download Updates button. After all updates are downloaded, click the Check for problems button. When the scan is complete, place a check next to anything marked in red, then click the Fix selected problems button. You may need to run Spybot S&D multiple times to remove all infections.

When finished, Reboot your computer. Finally, reply to this post with a new HiJackThis log so we can look for any nasties that may have been missed.

CLICK HERE to download CWShredder
CLICK HERE to download Spybot S&D

[Peddament]

I did what you said in terms of the CW and Spybot applications, however I cannot run Hijackthis!. When i download it, it saves it to a file and such as it did before, but when i try to run my SEARCH function on XP to find it, it wont work. Just clicking on SEARCH makes my active desktop disappear, the START bar disappear, and everything has to reload itself. Then more problems ensue, such as an extremely slow transition from screen-saver back to the active screen, and the inability to close programs (cntrl alt delete also will not load so i cant end the program that way either). I dont know what caused this, however i never had this problem before. Thank you for your continued assistance in these matters.

[Smokey]

http://www.spywarein.../downloads.html

Read the second box down in the middle.