I have a number of problems that I cannot seem to get to the bottom of. I have tried AdAware, but being a novice when it comes to computers I have no real idea what I'm doing. The problems are as follows.
1. I have a searchbar on my computer that doesn't seem to have a name (when I right click to hide it there is just a blank space where the name should be).
It has 4 links to casino, poker, credit card and some 'get paid to shop and eat', when I access these the weblink seems to briefly go through something like "www.hotsearchbar/navigate...." before then going to the sight itself.
2. When I switch on the computer every now and again there will be shortcuts on my desktop for things like 'platinum credit card' and 'big jugs'. Don't have any idea where they come from.
3. Again, this doesn't happen every time, but sometimes when I startup internet explorer I will be confronted with a pop-up for some porn site or other.

Any help or advice as to how I can get rid of all this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

If you can please read the entire page then decide on how to proceed with your particular problem and how to acquire the programs needed.

For Spy ware protection and general help cleaning up the computer and registry, Anti Virus protection and software download websites, old and new game downloads, CD & DVD Burning help,I recommend, the following files, as I have found 1 or even 2 is not always enough, as 1 may find something the others do not, so protect yourself with several programs, if may be a pain, but a necessary one.

I have personally tested each program on this list and I had taken them from the top review sites around the net as ones already chosen as the top performers.

Remember that just any Spyware Adware program is not always good, there are literally dozens of them out, and more coming every day, but most do not do the job, and many even install their own Spy and Adware on your systems, the ones below I have personally tested and so have many other people I know, they seem to be the best for Spyware & Adware Removal

Spyware
Microsoft New SPyware program-Formerly Giant spyware, they bought it out.
Spysweeper
Spybot search and destroy
Adware SE
Aluria's Spyware Eliminator
BPS Spyware
Spyhunter
Spyware Doctor
Pest Patrol

This one prevents certain Spyware that it contains in it’s data base from being installed on your system.
Spyblaster 2 http://www.download.com/3001-8022_4-10305680.html

I would suggest at the very least 3 or more of the above programs.

Registry and Fix and Repair programs
Fix it Utilities 5 this one has an excellent Scandisk, better than the one with your OS
Advanced System Optimizer
Ace Utilities
System Mechanic 5
Registry First Aid
Tuneup Utilities

Any 2 or more of these.

And download the Google toolbar with built in pop up stopper for your browser is good.

And a good solid Anti Virus Program or 2, updated weekly.
PC-Cillin
AVG Anti Virus
Bit defender
Etrust EZ Anti virus

Also free online Virus scans
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/licence.php
http://www.thepcmanwebsite.com/virus_help.shtml
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm
http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/
http://www.kaspersky.com/scanforvirus
http://www.thefreecountry.com/security/antivirus.shtml

I would suggest using 2 of these.

A good defragging Program or 2
Diskeeper Lite or Even better the full Pro version
Perfect Disk
O&O Defrag V4 Professional Edition 4.0.508
MST Defrag

Also run from Start/run type in chkdsk then let that run then type in chkdsk /f to help fix WinXP errors.

2 Excellent Programs to erase your tracks and where you go online.
Tracks Eraser Pro
Evidence Eliminator
CCleaner This one is free at www.ccleaner.com but the above 2 programs do a lot more thorough cleaning job than Ccleaner, but it’s good to have them all 3.

Also use the below website, that tests and reviews some of the best programs out for many

Different things, they give you side by side comparisons and rate each one in many categories.
http://www.toptenreviews.com/

If you need computer parts try this website
www.newegg.com they are the best and fastest retailer, I have ever dealt with on the net, great service, delivery and solid competitive pricing.

PC Security Checks
http://www.grc.com/

Download sites for reviews and trying out new products
http://www.Soft32.com
http://www.tucows.com
http://www.topshareware.com/
http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/2001-20-0.html?legacy=cnet
http://www.download.com/

An excellent program I can’t do without, it is a Windows Explorer replacement, much better
Powerdesk,

Old Games Downloads & Abandonware

http://www.the-underdogs.org/ No cost, just get a password and join for free, it’s loaded with older computer games and they rate them.

http://www.freeoldies.com/ more of an old game search engine

http://www.argosoft.com/games/dos.html strictly old Dos games

Good Peer 2 Peer file sharing Programs
These are all better and Safer than Kazaa Lite

You can find all of the above programs with these 2 programs, but If you use them then please eventually purchase them.

Also you can find some of the programs here

http://www.bi-torrent.com/43.htm
You must download & install the free file Bit torrent.exe to download files 1st.

Ares Installs 1 file that Spyware may detect, but it’s just the program file itself, so ignore it. Good solid file sharing progam.

WinMX Sometimes slower than Ares, but neither install Spyware or Adware.

Bearshare has tons of items and is fast, but it loads down your computer with Spyware, Adware and who knows what else, but for that, 1 hard to find file, they may have it, but beware of all the problems.

DVD & CD Burning review, Help and Download sites
http://dvd-burning-software-reviews.com/ mainly reviews DVD software
http://www.burnworld.com/ A very thorough and complete website on burning.
http://www.cdfreaks.com/ Another huge Burning website