Right now, my computer has the worst infection I have ever seen. I've dealt with viruses and spyware a few times before, and some of those times were bad. But this...oh my God listen to this.

The START MENU doesn't work. Also, "Run" is missing from the Start Menu as is "Find." "My Computer" is now called "Folder." None of the icons on the desktop work. Internet Explorer does not work. Norton Antivirus seems to have been partially deleted.

The only way I can use any program is to go into My Computer and find the program in Program Files. I can get online with Mozilla, but I cannot run any online virus scans, because they all require Internet Explorer.

Cachee actually went out and bought a copy of McAfee Antivirus, but I can't install it until all Norton Antivirus garbage is removed from the registry. Seemingly, I can't remove that without the help of Norton, and they charge something like $60 for support of any kind.

I can't reinstall Norton, because it came with the computer and I never got a disc of any kind.

I have four anti-spyware programs installed. I can scan and scan over and over all night, and they will keep finding and removing the same things over and over. I think the source of the problem is probably a trojan horse, or many of them. But how should I know?

Do other people encounter these problems, to a greater or lesser degree? I have heard complaints in the past from people but none of the details. Is there anyone out there who can help me in any way?

Right now I am doing something I should have done long ago: backing up my MP3s. 25 gigs worth. This is going to take forever.

Meanwhile, I'm going to watch Gremlins. It seems appropriate.
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