First, do a search on your computer for Microsoft Messenger. Open Messenger adn make sure the damn thing does not have "start automatically" toggle marked! That is a huge issue. Most computers have Microsoft software and messgenger is starting automatically in the background.
Next, download Adaware. You can find it easily online. Or search for Kim Kommando and visit her website and follow the links to Shareware. It's free and works well to get rid of spyware and crap.
After that I would do a "clean" out of the accessories and then a defrag.
Let me know how that works.
Rob