to fix the problem rename the file in ms dos ,
you will find the file in c:\windows
type in ren vx2.dll vx2.old
and then restart.

after this go to the internet options and the choose advanced tab and uncheck the entry that says enable third party browser extensions .

reset the web settings and also , type in msconfig in the run dialog box and press enter

choose selective startup and uncheck the choice "load startup group items "

this makes sure the problem is solved completely .

Word of warning:

I am running "Zone Alarm" and when I used Kenny's solution "Backweb", "Client Foundation" and several other programs took over "Zone Alarm" making it unable to stop them as acting as servers. Had to uninstall and reinstall "Zone Alarm".

In any case I do appreciate Kenny's advice, otherwise I would have had to spend hours on the telephone with microsoft.

Thanks Again,

Thank You!!!

You saved me a lot of aggravation.

Would like to recommend Spybot Search&Destroy for finding those spies in the softwares you install (Totaly FreeWare).

Go to Start -> Run

Then run regedit (type it into the box)

Go to the menu "Edit" and use "Find" to search for "VX2.Dll"

Go to the first key with "vx2.dll" in it, right click on it, the one on the right side of the window, and delete it. Close the window and get out of regedit.

This should fix the problem, you may want to reboot since windows/gates seems to think a reboot is the way to fix all.

Next time watch out for what programs you install, a lot of the latest programs install spyware that takes a lot of time and computer skill to get rid of no matter what they say when you install it.

As a rule, if it has any spy or spamware in it, I go find a free open source program instead. I would rather spend a little more time finding a better spyware free program than have a useless computer.

I am always very careful when installing anything new, or even better yet, don't install anything new unless you really, really need it.

When you press "control alt delete" you can see what little nasty programs they have running on your system, but not always. Sometimes you have to edit the registry keys sort of like above to get rid of things that start up at boot time, even when you have removed everything from your "Start Up" folder.

You look for the darn thing in a registry key like:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\

in "Run" "RunServices" etc... just use the Find thing, good luck!