Thank you very much for your help on my Search Engine Hijacked
question. Your input helped me in trying a variety of solutions. I’m
not really sure which one finally did it but all the clean up should
help with other system-clogging messes as well.

I’ve closed the other question but I want to recognize that you
helped. Tell me what is your favorite preventative maintenance tool or
your most interesting recovery story.

Thanks again,

czh

Howdy,

Glad to help!

My favorite preventative maintenance tool is not something I use, but
rather something I do not....

Outlook Express. I don't use it. It is the number one way for a virus
to enter your computer, and the number way for a virus to spread (via
your address book). I don't use any email software. All of my email
addresses have web-based interfaces, my favorite of which is Yahoo.
http://mail.yahoo.com

Although I use and highly recommend Norton AntiVirus, I have not
caught a single virus in the last 5 years. Alternatively, using
non-Windows operating system helps avoid viruses.

Ruling out virus problems leaves two others, software corruption and
hardware failure.

If you are someone who loves installing programs all the time,
consider owning two PCs - one which is for serious use, and one for
fun. On the serious computer, try and keep the number of installed
programs to a minimum. Do not install anything unless it has a very
good reputation. Fill the fun computer with games, gadgets,
messengers, shareware... Let the kids play on it.

The best way to cover yourself in case of hardware failure is a large
external hard drive. Automatically back up important documents, or
even complete drive images, every couple of days. I use the LaCie
80MB:
http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?id=10017&CFID=1061922&CFTOKEN=44392758

Oh yeah, you need to also keep you fingers crossed, and never, never
swear at your computer.

Best wishes,
robertskelton-ga

Thanks very much.
czh