multiple pages open and freeze my computer

Using win xp, sp2, auto updates and Seamonkey browser using Seamonkey email.
I have not done any computer changes of any type in past month.
No installs or uninstalls of any kind. I NEVER open email from an unknown.

I was on the computer for about an hour and was in process of replying
to an email when the text started scrolling down and I could not stop it.

After numerous times clicking on the "X" at the top right of the screen,
it finally closed out.

Then I clicked on my EXPLORER.EXE icon and explorer loaded but started
giving me about 5 dozen copies of explorer.

I was able to close them by clicking on the "X" and got all closed
except one. However that copy was frozen and could not do anything. I
could not move it on screen or do anything except click on the "X" and
close the copy.

I did a System restore to a date last week and that did not help.

I tried unplugging the computer to totally power it off and then
rebooted, SAME problem. Any ICON I clicked on would load with dozens of
copies showing on screen but unable to do any functions.

I unplugged everything and left it alone for 6 hours and plugged
everything back in and now the computer is functioning normally.

That was 2 days ago and I have shut down and rebooted 3 times since that
problem and everything seems normal now.

SO, my question is... what in the world could have caused this??

Thanks

Bently

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for expert
analysis, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L.ORG http://66.39.69.143/

bent wrote:
> Using win xp, sp2, auto updates and Seamonkey browser using Seamonkey
> email.
> I have not done any computer changes of any type in past month.
> No installs or uninstalls of any kind. I NEVER open email from an unknown.
>
> I was on the computer for about an hour and was in process of replying
> to an email when the text started scrolling down and I could not stop it.
>
> After numerous times clicking on the "X" at the top right of the screen,
> it finally closed out.
>
> Then I clicked on my EXPLORER.EXE icon and explorer loaded but started
> giving me about 5 dozen copies of explorer.
>
> I was able to close them by clicking on the "X" and got all closed
> except one. However that copy was frozen and could not do anything. I
> could not move it on screen or do anything except click on the "X" and
> close the copy.
>
> I did a System restore to a date last week and that did not help.
>
> I tried unplugging the computer to totally power it off and then
> rebooted, SAME problem. Any ICON I clicked on would load with dozens of
> copies showing on screen but unable to do any functions.
>
> I unplugged everything and left it alone for 6 hours and plugged
> everything back in and now the computer is functioning normally.
>
> That was 2 days ago and I have shut down and rebooted 3 times since that
> problem and everything seems normal now.
>
> SO, my question is... what in the world could have caused this??
>
> Thanks
>
> Bently