Here's the treatment for pests.
These Parasite removal programs can also SCAN. CWSHREDDER pretty much just removes such, but the others can just scan then ask if you want to remove such.
However, my policy needle on the pest-meter is pegged at zero tolerance. I eject all that these five tools find.
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6132-0.html?forumID=32&threadID=1313&start=0 notes the five scanning tools and removal tools that are fairly safe. If one does encounter an issue, its always been damage done by the MALWARE. The most common issue being Layered Service Provider replacement which you can use LSPFIX (Hint: use http://www.google.com to find).
The thread has follow on discussions about new links if you don't want to use Google to find an item.
PPS. All the tools are free.
My friend is running Windows 98 on a Compaq computer and is having a problem upon start-up with a small window opening repeatedly every 10-15 seconds titled Hidden Application :Socket Initialization Failed; OK
What is causing this? Is it a program that needs to be closed? Help, Thanks

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