Home desktop computer is infected with (at least) the spyware in title above. Have researched solutions on the Web, but none have symptoms exactly matching my situation. My problem seems progressive.
First, the pop-up appeared. I wasn't able to close it, but was still able to run IE, execute other programs, access the control panel, etc. I did not click to execute its options.
A few days later, when I booted the computer, the pop-up immediately appeared over the desktop display, the wallpaper had been replaced with a white background, and the desktop icons appeared fuzzy. At that point, I believe I was still able to execute programs using the desktop icons, but maybe I needed to execute from the Start or All Programs menus - can't recall. I noted that some of the icons in the system tray had disappeared.
The next change occurred a few days later. Windows would not boot. The "new" desktop and pop-up immediately displayed upon turning on the computer. Clicking on the desktop icons produced an hour glass for about 3 seconds, then it disappeared. I had no access to anything else without Windows except to cable TV which I was able to access via a programmed button on my keyboard.
Finally, today everything disappeared. I turn on the computer and immediately get a blank black screen. Tried a number of times - same result - nothing. Noticed that when I switch off the power to the computer, the pop-up appears for an instant on a white background without being imposed on the fuzzy desktop, then the Windows "Preparing to Standby" screen appears for an instant, and then the computer immediately turns off.
Those are the details as I've observed them. I'm a long time computer user, but only at an applications level. Have even less technical knowledge than what it seems most casual users seem to pick up. My Desktop is a Sony Vaio Digital Studio Computer, VGC-RA820G Series, running Windows XP Media Center Edition. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
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