New Member -- Help! Can't Get Rid of Popups

Hi all,

My name is Michelle and I'm brand new to these forums. I've got a little security problem I don't know how to solve.

Last week, I went looking for lyrics to a song and when I visited a certain Web site, a whole bunch of unwanted stuff downloaded to my computer, including the Mirar toolbar. I downloaded and installed the latest versions of AdAware and Spybot Seach and Destroy which removed it. (Thankfully!)

BUT... I'm CONSTANTLY getting popups all over the place. I know virtually nothing about computer security, but from what I can tell, something must have been downloaded onto my computer which allows these popups. The popups aren't related to a specific Web site per se; they're just random popups with different advertising messages (no porn thankfully).

A separate Internet Explorer browser window opens almost as soon as I open a window from my desktop. BUT, if I don't connect to the Internet right away, there's a window pops up and starts searching for a connection and then I'm prompted to connect to the Internet. If I stay on the 'Net for any length of time, I'll have 6, 12 or more browser windows open. Grrrr!

I'm SOOOO aggravated! AdAware and Spybot have not removed this program and I don't know how to remove it. I don't even know what it is! I've just downloaded a free version of Hijack This! but I don't know how to use it. I don't know how to read my registry and all of the .exe and other processes running look like Greek to me. I'm afraid of deleting anything for fear I might delete something crucial.

Can someone please help me? I know how to use my computer (surf the 'Net and use my computer programs), but I know virtually nothing about computer security or how to fix such problems. So can someone instruct this newbie on how to get rid of this problem?

Thanks so much,
Michelle

P.S. Would restarting in safe mode and erasing everything since that day (restarting as if before that day) help?