Sorry I am late to the party Stu. We have been reconfiguring our life again.
Without more information, I can't fully help you.
Here is the link to re-install IE:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/repair_r...e_and_oe_6.htm
... The odds are you still have adware on your system.
If you can get to this URL:
http://housecall60.trendmicro.com/en...rp.asp?id=scan
...Run that scan. The full one, spyware and virus.
If you cannot start hijackthis, just rename the file to something else and run it.
If you can download the Microsoft anti-spyware beta:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx
... then go ahead and install that.
Do a search in your C:\windows folder for *.com
anything that shows up as being 1k files size, go ahead and delete it. This puts files in the directory called regedit.com, ping.com, etc...
This is for discouraging a fixable solution. You see windows will always run the .com before the .exe if there are two files of the same name with different extensions.
If you post your hijackthis log, I can tell you what probably doesn't belong.
I would advise you to install:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
...and :
Spybot Search and Destroy:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
... Make sure you turn on the S&D resident scanner. "TeaTimer" This will alery you to attempted changes to your registry. This way you know exactly which site you were reviewing when the bad stuff happened, and... Who to blame.
I also run:
http://www.mlin.net/StartupMonitor.shtml
... which has largely the same functions as the tea-timer, but catches things it might miss.
I have been running a TGP since 1999, and have been dosed with everything ever put out before the detectors would detect it.
Formatting your hard drive should be your last option. This way, if you beat the little bastard out of your system, you will be setup to repel future invaders.
I will wait to see your hijackthis log.
23 years in computer repair and it has come to chasing bugs.
Mr. H.