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[Maurice Naggar]

I rarely give up on a case, that is why I have "hung" in here. However, we are about to reach the end of the line. {in terms of fixes for IE, which I still don't think is broken}.

I thought your Windows was on the C drive. What is on drive F: ? If that is an external drive, please disconnect all external drives.

Now, first, temporarily turn off your antivirus program.

Please run the Windows' System File Checker utility:

• Start >> type in cmd >> press the Ctrl+Shift+Enter keyboard combination and cmd.exe will be launched as if you selected Run as Administrator. You will then see a User Account Control prompt asking if you would like to allow the Command Prompt to be able to make changes on your computer. Click on the Yes button and you will now be at the Elevated Command Prompt.
  
• Type into the command=prompt window

  sfc /scannow

  
  Then tap Enter
  

You should see on-screen status messages similar to these:

..Beginning the system scan. This process will take some time.

..Beginning verification phase of system scan.

..Verification % complete.

Once the scan has completed you will receive an onscreen message resembling one of the following:

..found no integrity violations

..found corruption but repaired it

..found corruption that it could not repair

Please advise on the result.

Re-enable your antivirus program.

Edited August 29, 2012 by Maurice Naggar

[twestfall]

It said it found something and was repaired it but the problem continues. This morning, I could even hear talking coming out of the speakers and IE wasn't even running. Suddenly it stopped. Then about 30 minutes later it started again. Went on for about 10 minutes and then stopped again. This is the craziest thing I've ever seen. At this point I'm throwing in the towel and reimaging the system. Thanks for trying...

[Maurice Naggar]

Wiping and fresh install of Windows is the safest thing to do. Wish you the best.

Safer practices & malware prevention

• Have a hardware router between the incoming internet-modem and your computer.
  
• Configure your Antivirus software to check for updates daily, at a time in which you are sure the computer will be on.
  
• Check in at Windows Update and install any Critical Updates offered.
  
• Make certain that Automatic Updates is enabled.
  How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows
  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525
  
• Check on other update issues as well, visit Secunia Online Software Inspector (OSI)
  See How to detect vulnerable and out-dated programs using Secunia Personal Software Inspector
  
• Download, install, and keep updated Spyware Blaster (free): http://www.javacools...areblaster.html (all Protections should be enabled at all times)
  Tutorial for Spywareblaster: Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware, Hijackers, and Malware
  
• I'd recommend that you get and use MVP Mike Burgess' custom hosts file http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
  See the FAQ page http://mvps.org/winh...02/hostsfaq.htm
  That would help to keep your browser away from known spyware/malware sites.
  
• Make regular backups of your system to removable media: DVD, USB external hard drive, etc.
  Having a total image backup of your system stored on DVD/CD is highly important.
  Get and make use of imaging-backup utilities and save them to offline media. That way you have something to fall back to if another disaster hits.
  Examples of image backup software: Acronis True Image, or the free (for personal use) Macrium Reflect http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp
  or Paragon Backup & Recovery http://www.paragon-s...e/download.html
  
• Consider using Web of Trust WOT add-on for your browser(s)
  http://www.mywot.com/en/download
  http://www.mywot.com/en/faq/add-on
  On some regular schedule, it is a good idea to do an online scan for viruses and malware. Here is a very short list of sites where this may be done:
  ESET Online Scanner
  BitDefender Quickscan
  Trend Micro Housecall
  F-Secure Online Scanner
  Microsoft Safety Scanner
  Panda ActiveScan
  
• See Six tips to help you stay safer online
  
• Never, ever download free games, free tools, videos, mutli-media files or anything free unless you can be absolutely sure the source is safe !