Something keeps trying to pull up IE, what can I try next?

On my kids comp (Win XP home), something keeps trying to pull up Internet Explorer pages. These are usually some sort of advertising page, but occasionally a search page. This is happening without our trying to run IE. (for example, when playing a game offline).

Ive also noticed that the 'active desktop' glitches every now and then, went looking at its settings and discovered it was trying to use an IE page for background.. I unchecked that. Somewhere along the way, they wound up with some sort of 'security' toolbar (I didnt install it, and they don't remember when it appeared)

The comp has up do date iolo virus protection, and system mechanic. I ran a 'smit fraud' fix (in safe mode), to no effect.

Is there something else I can try before I resort to formatting the hard drive?

Thanks!

Something keeps trying to pull up IE, what can I try next?windows xp themes

you have a virus, run antivirus in safe mode, never use IE again download and use firefox http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Something keeps trying to pull up IE, what can I try next?download windows media player internet explorer

Download spybot search and destroy and run it to get rid of spyware.

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index...

Download kerio personal firewall.

http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Home-Hom...

Before installing the kerio firewall, turn off the windows firewall. (cannot run 2 firewalls together). Windows firewall blocks incoming traffic and can easily be turned off by badguys! Kerio firewall blocks incoming AND outgoing traffic unless you specifically give it permission. Kerio will warn you of an outgoing connection alert and ask you if you want to allow it Alwaysl, This time only, or Never. You will become very wise about how many programs on your pc are making calls out. Good Luck!