You're a STUS, Sandoppe! That sounds EXACTLY like what it wrong with my sustem and makes complete sense and is right in line with the quirky (CRIPPLING, actually) things I am experiencing. I was just in my Program Manager a minute ago and noticed at the bottom of the page (where all of my programs USED TO TO BE LISTED but have now been replaced with a big empty white space in that box, as I mentioned previously) that the Close button now reads: Cl&ose. Hmmmm, NOT GOOD! THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking the time to help me and explain all of this. I DO have Symantec Norton 2003 and a year subscription but am unable to accessor download. FOrtunately, I have the disk and will reinstall it but I don't know if this will be a remedy if I can't get the most recent update. I better just go read how to clean this.. but I'd sure like to kow which one I have. These sadistic people who create these things are terrorists, aren't they. What could make a person angry enough to be this vicious... what's more scary is how many there are out there! It's not like it's a a small handful of people creating thewe things out there. And it's not like I'm MCI Worldcom, ya' know? We're just a tiny company who has been making 3D stuff for a living for the past decade. Oh well. In any event, I need to find out how to Pamenate the darned thing now and it's a tricky task when I can't access any downloadable updates. Sandoppe, You are so kind to take the time to help me out here. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT (You'll see, Mister!) But do you have any idea how I could go about checking those portals (33 & 34) you mention to see what's going on? This is getting into a technical area that I know very little about. The knowlege base of so many people here on these forums just blows me away sometimes. Whenever I encounter a problem in an area I know NOTHING about, I "own up!" Better that than to "Remove all doubt". Another old adage I believe in is "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing"... so since I am in that area right now, I figured it might be best to come to where I know I can get some solid information. You certainly seem knowledgable/well versed in this arena. Hopefully this knowledge was derived through reading about it rather than first hand experience. ;/ Okay, I just tried to re-install my Norton 2003 disk and the Windows Installer is disabled. I can't download even teh virus defsinitions, let alone a patch or update toclean whatever it is I have. I can't even reinstall my AV program! This is all too reminiscent of what I went through with that Klez virus/worm a year and a half I got. These guys think of EVERYTHING!!! Terrorists, I swear to God! I'll keep you posted. Thanks again. Pam