New user needs help; numerous issues with Windows 7

I think the original object is OE and that doesn't mean outlook express.

IMHO, the OP led everyone on a wild goose chase. I've seen the same thing happen numerous times on all types of help forums. They do it just to get their kicks.

Could be. Sure is a strange reason to stay up all night, though. :)

Strange people do strange things.

I ran MSE and it found nothing. When running the full scan, it said "this first-time scan can take several minutes to complete." But it took an hour. Could this indicate that there were 10 to 20 times the number of files it expected me to have; like maybe hidden files from a brand new virus that is not yet in the databases of the A/Vs? Or is this just a vernacular semantic difference between the Midwest (where several means appox 3 to 6) and the West Coast (or where ever MSE is actually written?

I ran Windows 98 for years on my last computer 5 years ago with no problems until hardware issues killed it. When I originally posted, I was ready to give up, and I asked if it was possible to downgrade to XP (since that was closer to 98, and so would be more familiar to me), but was told to stick with Windows 7, don't give up. All I have done for days now is try to follow and respond to each suggestion, and report back what happened. If I had a computer amd W7 savvy friend in my town, I wouldn't have ended up posting here in the first place. Now I am being accused of taking everyone on wild goose chase for kicks!?
Fine, whatever, go ahead and close the thread I guess.

Ann:

I just looked at Mozilla Messaging

with Internet Explorer.

It looks exactly as you see it.

I had been looking at it in Firefox. That explains the difference.

It certainly appears the site you see is a valid and virus free download source, regardless of any warnings that may appear.

Personally, I would:

Uninstall all antivirus except Malware Bytes.

Download and install Microsoft Security Essentials.

Download and install Thunderbird despite any virus warnings you might get.

Evaluate at that point.

That is probably the path of least resistance if you don't have a savvy friend.

If my opinion regarding you leading everyone on a wild goose chase just for kicks is wrong, then I humbly apologize.
However, after being a member of dozens of different help forums for the last 10 years I must admit that your posts exhibit the same fraudulent pattern as those who had posted their "problems" for the sole reason of wasting other peoples' time.

To Ann,
This link might help to sort out your computer. Go to the IBM/Lenovo section,
& post your problem there. They have members there with your specific laptop, so might better help your problems. Might be more patient too .