Hi everyone, yesterday i built a new PC

Spec:
P4C800 - D (MB)
P4 3.2 (CPU)
512mb 3200 (RAM)
130GB (HD)
FX 5200 256mb (GC)
A Couple CD-Roms, floppy etc...

Everything went really well, no problems with running software or games. Then i installed the plug and play USB modem from BTopenworld (Which went without problem) and logged into the internet. At this point the computer went mental! I tried to go to Windows update to download SP2 as the XP i have only has SP1 included. as i was trying to download the fixes the computer was being flooded by Spy Ware, I could see the processes going up from 18 to 32 as i was downloading. It got so bad it crashed the computer and i lost all control. I couldn't enter msconfig or even open my documents. I had to reinstall XP. I tried again this time using a firewall i paid for called Blackice. This helped the second time round and allowed me to download the XP fixes, but the firewall went and is still going crazy plus i cant go to a website without being redirected somewhere else. I have been to no other web sites except main ones like Yahoo/Microsoft etc and have installed nothing but drivers this time round, also i have tried running Ad-Aware and Spybot to clear it but doesn't help. The only thing i have done is copied My documents folder from the last pc to this one. Could this be the reason? or am i being very unlucky with my ISP. Internet is a no go for this pc at the moment, please help.

Its sounds like you may have a virus of some kind especially if you haven't been to any strange sites. Its possible that your PC had a virus and when you copied your old "my documents" across, the virus came with it.

I would recommend downloading AVG (free antivirus) and scanning your system.
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5
Also download and install Microsoft Antispyware, this should help prevent spyware from being installed on your system.
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...RSS,RSS,00.asp

Thanks for your reply, I will try what you said.

Can a virus be carried across and still be active even if i didn't boot the .exe file of it? I didn't know that was possible, if only i would of known, i could of saved myself 12 hours of torture yesterday. This PC belongs to my parents so i will try tonight, but might do a complete reinstall again without the copy of my documents. Thanks again.

Just an update, I reinstalled XP after a full format, DID NOT copy the "My Documents" folder to the new PC and its running sweet as a nut. Not 1 pop-up or redirection to another site.

Glad it went well. If you have anymore problems just come back to us. Bookmark the site for quicker access.