Hi Jay,

I would suggest you start by doing a virus scan with up to date virus
software, then scan for and removing any installed spyware.
If you are in need of virus software, here are a couple to choose from, for
free.
Download the software, and in Update Manager run Update
then do a complete virus scan.
Free Offer: eTrust EZ Armor Security Suite from Computer Associates
http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/index.cfm

Search and destroy any installed SpyWare:
Ad-aware is a free multi spyware removal utility that scans
your memory, registry and hard drives for known spyware
components and lets you remove them safely. After installing
Ad-Aware make sure to run the update feature before scanning.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/  For large amounts of installed
spyware and such, it may be necessary to run Ad-Aware several
times to clear them all.

SpywareBlaster:
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareblaster.html
SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it
prevents it from ever being installed. SpywareBlaster is
a non memory resident utility. It works by setting a "kill bit"
for the CLSIDs of spyware ActiveX controls, it prevents the
installation of any of them from a webpage.

If that does not stop the disk access, use the instructions in the
article below to perform a clean boot, to help isolate the problem.

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q192926