Can't Log on: multiple XP security and/or virus issues

Hi, please note this message is a bit long... I have been unable to find my
problem discussed here, and hope I am not being redundant.

Running XP Home SP-2 on 9-month old desktop, currently unable to use my
computer at all. Use Windows Automatic Update, have current McAfee on auto
update, regularly also run Housecall, Ad-Aware, Spy-Bot, clean out Temp Files
and have only myself set up as a user on Windows, on a wireless DSL network
with my father in the same house. Will try to list chronologically some
problems (may/may not be inter-connected) I've had in the last couple of
months. It's been freaking me out and is like a "Movie of the Week".

1. In late June 2005, someone had physical access to my computer, knew one of
my Yahoo passwords, router/settings & it's password a few weeks prior to
commencement of these goings on. Person is an IBM trained system architect,
runs an IT department at a bank. Starting mid- July, intermittently unable to
log-on or got kicked off Yahoo IM and MSN Messenger - told me I was already
logged on under that user name. Often, could not access Yahoo Mail account
(regardless of what computer/location I used), though all other internet
functions working fine. Was also locked out of my own credit card account on
a major bank's site even though I had not made any unsuccessful log-on
attempts. Changed all email & bank passwords a couple of times over the next
week or two, and only the Yahoo mail problem remained. A bit later, noticed
that my wireless connection would very often disconnect and reconnect itself -
almost always when I was on IM. Had since created a new MSN account for that.
When I opened wireless config utility, I would often see another profile
there, and it seemed to be sharing my signal - not sure if that is an issue.

2. In November, began to get intermittent, irregular crashes/restarts with
"Windows has recovered from a serious error..." message - no countdown & no
error messages preceding. No viruses found, checked that all drivers are
current, only some were checked on manufacturers' websites though. No
overheating problem either - have a custom machine with 3 CPU fans and the
temp reading wasn't spiking. Crash/restarts escalated - no predicatable
pattern.

3. In December, started getting (most times) at shut-down, message something
to the effect that "other users are logged onto the system. Shutting down
will cause them to lose data... etc." Could it be person from #1, as I have
no shared files, have not created any other users on the system.

4. Housecall DID find 5 problems last week - unusual as system is usually
clean with that scan, Ad-Aware and Spy-bot just find the usual minor stuff,
no viruses have ever been detected on my computer. My surfing habits are
very tame, I do not download anything unless I know its provenance and I
absolutely never open messages or attachments that are even a bit
questionable and I know which file extensions to avoid all together.

I think I may have both a virus(es) AND someone hacking into my system. I
changed the main router password (not the WEP p/w though) last Thursday
(January 12). Yesterday (Jan 14) I had just downloaded Spyware Doctor and
NOD32 (both from download.com). Not sure if Friday 13th virus or whatever it
is was involved. Anyway, the last thing I did was open NOD32 - that was "The
End"! System will boot and accept windows p/w then freezes and does not load
any further - am now totally lost.

I am medium-savvy about computers but cannot afford techie-rates. I hope
someone can walk me through trying a couple of things and I really, really
hope I won't have to wipe it and start again. I am mostly backed up, but as
I am fallible, have a couple of weeks' worth of things I do hope to keep if I
can.

Thanks so much for any hints you might give me! Can also reach me at yahoo.
ca user id is monkeygirl1961

--
Message posted via WindowsKB.com
http://www.windowskb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/windows-virus/200601/1
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Relevant Pages

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