1.  Make sure your antivirus software is completely up to date with
the virus definitions not more than a week old and then do a full
virus scan of your hard drive.  Get a "second opinion" by doing a free
online virus scan at http://housecall.trendmicro.com or by downloading
and running Stinger (free) from http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger

2.  Check your computer for possible spyware.  Start with a free scan
at http://aumha.org/a/noads.htm and then use the procedures described
at http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

If the problem persists then check your startup for possible problem
apps.  Use Start - Run - MSCONFIG and go to the Startup tab.  Compare
the list of items that are loading at startup with the following
checklist web sites to see what can be safely dispensed with:

http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/Uncheck.htm
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.htm
http://www.3feetunder.com/krick/startup/list.html - has trojan related
items listed

Note:  Please ensure that you fully understand the purpose of a
startup item, how and why it was put into the startup, and the
consequences (if any) of removing it before you make any changes.
Some items are very important for the proper and safe functioning of
your computer, including at least one item that is listed twice.

Disabling an item by unchecking it in MSCONFIG should only be done for
testing purposes or as a "last resort" when no other way of getting
rid of the unwanted item can be found.

Good luck

Ron Martell     Duncan B.C.    Canada