Strange PC problems, don't know if they are related.

I started using my old Vista laptop (not very long ago) because I need to replace the trackpad on my Win7.

1. As of yesterday, my pc was acting INCREDIBLY slow. I mean taking 15 minutes to open a webpage, 25 minutes to update Avira (at 2 KB per second :eek) and sometimes not being able to "find the server". I am aware that a slow pc could mean multiple things and that it could (most likely) just be a ISP problem but I've noticed other strange things and I don't really understand them.

2. When I went to restart my pc, after finishing windows updates, and as it was shutting down the task bar changed from being the normal Vista looking task bar and turned into a XPish looking slim gray task bar and on the task bar was a Firefox browser tab to a web forum that I used to frequent but no longer exists (and hasn't for since I think dec of last year). I hope I explained that accurately.

3. I use WinPatrol on this laptop and I keep getting this pop-up (which I get about every 30 seconds):
http://i52.tinypic.com/1zoerkw.jpg

to which I always select no, because well, there is no info on it, after which I get this pop up:
http://i56.tinypic.com/33adxlc.jpg

Again, I always pick no because I don’t want to delete a potential system file..So I don't know what to make of all this. I am going to start the R&R because I'm not sure if that's the problem or if I'm over exaggerating these issues or what which is why I posted here first.

So someone help, please before I go crazyyyy :-D

 

Hit it with a shoe

 

Thanks for the help. I should hit you with a shoe!
(kidding kidding LOL)

Don't think I haven't thought of it though. :-D

 

Go ahead, i just might enjoy you hitting me with shoe

 

Hi, dyamond.

Head on over to the Malware Forum, let Tim watch you hit Colemanguy with the shoe...he'll like it...:drool

Seriously, the R&R route might be called for here.

 

Nah, it's no fun if someone will enjoy it

Tim will only drool if there is cake involved :-D

*sigh, guess I will start with the R&R tomorrow. I finally got everything downloaded and it's late, I'm ready for bed. Thanks guys.