My friends computer was running really slow... it usually took about 2 hours for her system to start up so she could get the start menu bar. Her internet worked fine its just it was very slow. This happened after a power outage. I restored her computer to its orignal state by following some guidance online. And everything worked great her computer was back to normal speed, and it said the restore was successful. So I went to go and put her programs back on the computer but it first wouldn't let me connect to the internet. So I contacted her internet provider and they walked me through getting it back up and running it worked fine. I went to go and update her internet explorer. And it said it could not update. So she said that was fine she didn't need the update so she went about going from site to site just seeing what she had missed... then all of a sudden a message poped up saying her connection was lost. And then her internet didn't work... so I did all the steps her internet provider had told me prior. It didn't work. I called again and they girl couldn't figure out why it wasn't going. She just simply said she must have a virus or something. What happens when I type in a website it changes the address that I typed in and just puts http:/// and nothing... they had me going to there address and it kept doing that. Is there anyone out there who knows if this is a virus or what can be done to solve this. Her internet was working fine... and her internet providers said they showed nothing wrong on there end... please help

The BEST solution is the following : all other solutions seldom solve all problems.

FIRST save all important data (on CD, stick, or another partition than C drive)
(don't forget music, photo's, email, docs, favorites, bookmarks, password information etc.)

Have original Windows CD ready.

Check and/or set Bios to include CD drive in the boot-up sequence.

Disconnect the internet connection.

Do a format C:/u

Reboot with Windows CD in the slot

Re-install Windows from scratch.

Re-install and activate anti-virus software

Re-install and activate the firewall (either Windows or other)

Re-connect the Internet

Re-install all other required software

Check all settings and transfer the saved data to where needed.

You have now a computer as fast and clean as when it was purchased.

Success !

:)

Reconnect if you have to or use a new browser probably
The method suggested by creden.. is probably the last you would like to follow

Try to be more descriptive