previously my computer was used by a family member who made contact
with various porno sites, and now I am trying to clean up and delete
all of this mess.  I find that I have infected hidden files, ect.  How
do I delete these unwanted files and stop any of their offensive
pop-ups?

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 29 Oct 2006 19:04 PST

You might have some luck with a System Restore, which pulls up your
computer's earlier configuration, and more or less turn's back the
clock on your computer by a few months, hopefully prior to the time
you picked up any undesirable stuff.

Give it a try.  You shouldn't lose any files that have been created,
but you may lose any programs that have been recently installed.

From the Start menu, select All Programs===>Accessories===>System
Tools====>System Restore.

Follow the directions, and keep your fingers crossed.

Let me know how it works out.


pafalafa-ga

System Restore will still leave 'evidence' in the registry.

I'd back up all data you wish to keep (docs/photos/music) to CD/DVD or
external drive and then using the free and recomended by PC World
KillDisk:
Story: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,22920-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html
File Download: http://www.killdisk.com/

Now do a fresh install and reload your data.

It should be possible to clear the bad files without wiping
everything.  Do you only see the bad content in the web browser?  If
so, try these steps:

1. To prevent popups and clear adware software, install Microsoft
Windows Defender <http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx>
2. Go to Internet Explorer and clear the cache, cookies, and temporary
files <http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/using/howto/customizing/clearcache.mspx>
3. Install Mozilla Firefox.
4. Instead of using Internet Explorer, use Firefox.  It does an
excellent job of preventing adware and popups.