Toolbar,popups and slowness

First off, I have been through Your 'Read and Run me first' procedures (as best I can, Phew! see below) and I have Windows 98 SE.

The problems I have are as above. It all started at once, with a strange toolbar that I cannot get rid of (would you like to see a screen dump?) That purports to be a search engine. There were also some icons that I appear to have removed (small progress!). I suffer from numerous popups, despite having NTL Netguard antivirus/popup security.

As well as slow running, with broadband, that computer frequently freezes.

PROBLEMS IN YOUR READ & RUN ME FIRST:

I had could not get Hijack This to work. I get the option to open or Save to file and a small window opens with 'Action cancelled' and when I click 'Open' another grey window opens with c/...CONTENTS IE, that I click to open and nothing happens except a repetition of this. What am I doing wrong?

I had a similar problem with About Buster, and HJT and BFU.

Also I could not get Bitefinder and Panda Active scan to work.

Please find attached my Counter Spy Log, if this is of any use.

Can you help?

 

Chaslang, you are one busy Willy!

Thanks for your attention. Firstly, When I go to Add/Remove programmes, 'Messenger Plus' does not appear. I removed this some weeks ago (when I first discovered your website and embarked on the process). Do you think it is still there? If so how do I remove it?

Regarding Bitfinder, I get to the site and try to download it. 'Updating Scan Files' goes alright, then when it gets to 'Staring Scan' ,'0 out of 300 scans complete' appears and only the timer runs. I waited up to 35 minutes and nothing started. This keeps (not) happening.

Regarding Panda, I have tried several times and it will not work. The very broad ranging error message appears, that I have attached in the screen dump. No I have'nt! the size of it exceeded your limit. So here is what it says: Not allowing Active X, (or?) problems with internet connection, Download/installation/lack of hard disk space(I doubt this)/priveliges error,

Regaring HJT. I can download the zip file (I think!), but I do not appear to be able to open it. Possibly I need to install winzip? What do you think?

Regarding your other helpful looking advice, I have not had a chance to do it yet, but will in time.

Thanks once again,

Paul, London UK