many browser windows opening automatically (must be virus?)

What I mean is I pretty much do the same stuffs that you do.

i.e Posting on forums, listening to songs at youtube, emailing etc.

It is not dangerous unless and until you clicked on a ad or a link that may be malicious.

The link I posted on my previous post recommends WOT - Web of Trust.
It indicates which websites are safe and which are dangerous.

You may use it if you like.

I use Firefox and Chrome as my browsers, hardly use IE9 although I have it installed on my computer. So I can't comment about IE9.

You may download WOT for Internet explorer, it should work whether or not spybot is installed. I and many members on the forum recommend Malwarebytes but its up to you whether you want it installed on your computer.

Download the WOT add-on | WOT (Web of Trust)

chas,
I started to say what I think of your "techie" friend but I'll abstain.

Get rid of IE 8.
Use IE 9
Get rid of SpyBot. It didn't find anything that it didn't plant there.
SpyBot had its heyday is dying a well-deserved death.

Use MSE. Once you system is 100% clean then you only need MSE.

Run full and complete scans. What good is a quick scan when it misses 10% and in that 10% is malware?

Since I doubt seriously that your system is truly clean, then carry out following which will clean your system as long as you have it scan each and every drive in your system:

HOW TO USE WINDOWS DEFENDER OFFLINE ON A USB STICK
Windows Defender Offline
· is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.
· performs an offline scan of an infected PC to remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware.

Download Windows Defender Offline (about 764 kB)

You will have the choice of downloading the 32bit version (x86) or the 64 bit version (x64).
The link will help you determine whether you are running a 32 bit version or 64 bit version of Windows

NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 32 bit version using a 64 bit version of Windows
NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 64 bit version using a 32bit version of Windows.

You run the 32 bit version on a 32 bit version of Windows.
You run the 64 bit version on a 64 bit version of Windows.

The 32 bit download file name is: mssstool32.exe
The 64 bit download file name is: mssstool64.exe

For the curious, this program was originally name Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.


INSTALLATION:
You will need an Internet Connection.
Insert 512 mB (Microsoft’s 256 mB is no longer accurate) or larger USB stick into a usb port.
Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
NEXT button
Choose the option On a USB flash drive that is not password protected
NEXT button
NEXT button
.
The install program will format the usb stick using the NTFS format.
The install program will download about 210 mB.
The install program will name the USB stick WDO_Media32 or WDO_Media64
The WDO_Media32 usb stick will have used space of 255 mB (268,140,544 bytes)
The WDO_Media64 usb stick will have used space of 282 mB (296,165,376 bytes)
You can expect the number of mB to increase as more malware appears.

UPDATE Windows Defender Offline USB stick:
· reinsert the usb stick
· run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.
· the update will download about 66 mB (mssstool32.exe) and 68 mB (mssstool64.exe).

Since the malware database is sometimes updated several times in a day, always update before running.

PERFORM AN OFFLINE SCAN
Bootup your computer from the USB stick
Windows Defender Offline will automatically perform a quick scan.
After the quick scan finishes, Choose Full Scan
Select all of your drives

The initial, full scan can easily take several hours, but
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.
=================================================

There are no shortcuts to be taken when the security of your computer is at risk.

no go.

WDO said I need to update.

I followed all instructions. will try updating again.

tried updating again.

same thing happened when I booted up computer from usb stick.

WDO says I need to update definitions and something else. it will not do any scanning.

any help, greatly appreciated.