Messed up Win XP

L

loadmaster

I received a warning that my anti-virus was not working. Went to security setting and discovered that my Avast was not working. I downloaded it again and it downloaded fine, but when I try to install, I get the msg that it is blocked. Something about security settings to high. I also tried to download several other simple programs with same results.
Now when on goggle, and click on site I get a pop-up window that says malware ahead, go back. I am assuming that I am infected with something nasty. Will buying a virus program on CD work. Any ideas.
If I have to re-install which is the best way to save some of my files (pics etc}
 
If you are deeply infected a clean install is best, download all data to an external drive or a usb flash drive,

below are some sites on how to do a reinstall:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-xp/help/setup/install-windows-xp
http://www.windowsxphome.windowsreinstall.com/sp2installxpcdoldhdd/indexfullpage.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=44636
Clean installs of XP sites
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this may or may not apply to you:
If you were already at service pack 1, 1A or 2, you can install SP3, but before you do, read this article…
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
…and if your PC is an HP Pavilion, Presario or Media Center and has an AMD processor you need to install this patch before installing SP3…
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?cc=uk&lc=en&dlc=en&softwareitem=pv-60484-2
Install SP3 by downloading and running from...
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=24
…again, you can ignore the text that says that it is for network installations and also ignore the text advising Windows/Microsoft Update if only updating one PC.
Then try and get up to date with Windows Updates via the Start menu.
--------------------------

note, windows updates will not work on sp2, you need sp3 installed before going to windows updates, and install an antivirus before going on line, if you have already paid for avast, download to a usb flash drive along with definitions, or install mse, but read the checklist thoroughly first:

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http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5201
MSE Download

http://experts.windows.com/w/experts_wiki/89.aspx
MSE installation checklist

http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Definitions/ADL.aspx
The latest MSE definitions
 
MS Security Essentials

If that didn't work, an easy alternative is to try MSs free antivirus- Security Essentials. Note: It only works on genuine copies of Windows.

Download site: is the main Microsoft site, then /security_essentials/ after it.
(sorry, cannot type out the entire link due to me having so few posts on this board).

Before installing, disable and remove Avast. If you don't like the results, then you can always remove Security Essentials and reinstall Avast.
 
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