This is a second hand computer that I got from a friend. When I got it I started downloading the software that I wanted on it.

McAfee Firewall,McAfee Virus,Spybot,AdAware,Registry Mechanic,Spyware Dr., ect.

The first time I lost my internet connection was when I tried to install Spyware Dr.I did a system restore and skipped that program. I tried to install spybot with the same results. Again system restore. It worked fine for about a week and then over time I lost my connection again. I decided to use my system recovery cd and when I started installing things spybot and spyware dr. installed fine, this time McAfee firewall broke the connection. System restore had lost all of its restore points so I used the recovery cd again. I Started installing and got to McAfee virus and lost my connection. This goes on and on like this for about a month with different installs or time breaking my internet connection.
Right now I have a restore point that is after everything except McAfee virus scanner, so I'm using that. If I try to install that I lose my connection. Every 24-48 I will have to use system restore even if I don't install anything. ?

Things that may help you to know.............

Sometimes the connection will last for the first five or ten minutes, restarting the system will give me another five or ten minutes.

My firewall is not blocking my connection as it has been diabled or uninstalled during most of this.

I have downloaded Hijackthis and have had it read in the forum. I was told that it was clean.

In the past (before I got it) windows xp was installed on this computer, then uninstalled because of errors. No I don't know exactly what the problem was.

Uninstalling the program that breaks the connection does no good. Once the connection is gone the only way to recover it seems to be system restore or the recovery cd.

Related or not also over time system restore takes longer and longer. Last night it took five hours.

I'm using verizon dsl, my friend that had it before me used dial-up.

Sometimes when I try to open control panel,windows set-up, I get an error message that says "Rundll32 has caused an error in setupx.dll rundll32 will now close."

I'm sorry for the long post but I have posted in other forums with no luck and I wanted to be as detailed as I could. If I left any important information out just ask, I'm more then happy to answer.

As always thank You for any help that you can give.

Dimwitt

Would you be able to run a couple of programs so we can make sure you don't have any viruses on your system:

• Stinger
• Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool

Are you still using Windows XP or another OS?

If you are using Windows XP, are you fully up to date, especially on service packs?

Last question, if you "uninstalled Windows XP" and loaded another operating system, did you do this from a formatted hard drive? (complete fresh install)