Conflicts with XP

[alancohen]

My computer has developed a major problem - I cannot open Task Manager. The window appears fleetingly for a few milliseconds and then disappears. Despite all my best efforts it is inaccesible. It has only developed this problem during the last two weeks. The problem also occurs with many other of my basic windows, in aol for example. I am unable to download and install any software, since the download window will not come up (apart from for a few milliseconds!! Very frustrating.)

I am running Windows XP Home edition. I do not have antivirus software installed (yes, I know, big error, but long story). My processor is an 850 MHz Athlon processor with over 700 MB RAM. Hard drive is 30 GB 66% full.

I am led to believe that this some form of conflict. Can anyone advise? Or suggest appropriate site/discussion board?

Thanks

[scatman]

http://housecall.antivirus.com scan for nasties first.

[Sequin]

This happened on my daughter's machine and it turned out to be spyware - boot your machine into safe mode (hold the F8 key down while it's booting, and uninstall anything from Add/Remove programs in control panel that shouldn't be there - look for things such as Bullseye, Shop at Home etc

[peanut]

you may want to try a system restore. go back about 3 weeks, see if task manager works, if so  then install some security programs like adaware, spybot and norton or mcafee. be sure to run these as soon as you get them and keep them updated. the reason you dont have the protection may be a long story but now its turning into a longer story and will only get worse. if the system restore does not work, you can undo it if you want to. you computer is hacker heaven right now and an invitation for spyware and other problems.

[dodgyshirt]

A new virus called Serflog worm was released about 10 days and is passed on through Messenger by infected machines. The symptoms are identical to those you describe with the added problem that it completely disables system restore.
Symantec have a free downloadable tool available which will cure it here

[dodgyshirt]

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.serflog.r emoval.tool.html