Why do all of a sudden, multiple windows of my web browser open up without my say-so?

Question

I am running Windows XP on a laptop, and now, all of a sudden, my computer will launch 15-20 windows of whatever browser is installed as my default. It's happened with IE 6 and Firefox. I've run a spyware check (SpyBot), and it'll pick up a bunch of tracking cookies, I'll erase them, and they'll pop back up again. Other antispyware programs won't pick them up. AVG and Antivir don't pick up any viruses. Please don't tell me I'm going to have to reformat and reinstall.

Answer 1

Try doing the spyware and virus scans from Safe Mode...sometimes they mess with the scanning programs and prevent them from finding or removing everything.

Answer 2

Try it i safe mode. Here is how safe mode works.
If the computer is running it is best to shut down Windows and then turn off the power.

Begin by first clicking on the Start Button and then click on Turn Off Computer.

Now click on the Turn Off red colored icon to shut down your computer system.

It is best to wait between 15 to 30 seconds before you turn your system back on.

Turn on your computer and start tapping the F8 key on your keyboard.

Some Computers may display a keyboard error message if you begin tapping F8 too quickly.

Restart your computer again and begin tapping the F8 key a brief second or two later.

When the Windows Advanced Options Menu appears, Choose the Safe Mode option and hit Enter.

Windows will now boot your computer up in Safe Mode.

Answer 3

Do everything you just did, but do it in Safe Mode........