I have McAfee Virus Scan 6.0, but I no longer get free updates, so I downloaded AVG grisoft. I left all the options checked, including letting it run in the background.

The next time I tried to use my computer -- request for my Windows password comes up -- I type that in, the desktop displays, but an hourglass comes up and stays on constantly.

Ctrl Alt Delete most of the time doesn't bring up the system tray (is that what it is called?). If I finally get the computer to shut down, the next time I have the same situation.

Have you tried starting your computer in Safe Mode? If it works correctly in Safe Mode, try uninstalling, then reinstalling the new antivirus software.

By the way, did you uninstall the McAfee software before installing the AVG? If not, in Safe Mode, uninstall the McAfee and then the AVG, then reinstall the AVG.

I hope this will help!

Dwight

P.S. How to start the computer in Safe Mode

"For all versions of Windows, repeatedly tap F8 after the self-test beep to invoke the Boot Menu, then choose Start Windows in Safe Mode.

For Windows 95 through ME, you can substitute F5 to go directly to Safe Mode, bypassing the Boot Menu.

For Windows 98 and ME, you can press and hold Shift to start in Safe Mode, or Control to invoke the Boot Menu." TomGL2

Copy/pasted from TomGL2's post here.

I went to the library to use their computer.

I have Windows ME and a special password that TomGL2 helped me put on my computer. You cannot cancel or escape from it.

I'm not sure that I was actually in Safe Mode. The first time I tried your instructions, I turned on the computer then repeatedly hit both F5 and F8. Windows asked me for my password, and I typed it in. Then I kept hitting F5 and F8 until the desktop displayed.

I hadn't uninstalled McAfee first before I installed AVG. It looked like things were working, so I tried uninstalling McAfee. It appeared to hang up in the middle even though I let it sit about 15 minutes. (The bar that shows the progress stopped showing any progress.)

The next time I tried rebooting, I hit the F5 key and I got a screen saying "System is busy." I tried hitting Ctrl+Alt+Delete several times and nothing happened. I finally pushed the reset key, got the "Windows has detected an improper shutdown."

I repeated the instructions and got the "System is busy" screen again. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete doesn't do anything.

Help!

Becky, try pressing a Shift key after the beep (or during the memory count). Continue holding down the key until Windows starts in Safe Mode.

I'm at the library -- just in case you see this before I go home and try the Shift key --

Is the beep or memory count after the windows
password or before?

Long before the password prompt -- even before the Windows startup graphics.

Thanks -- I did get it to bootup in Safe Mode and uninstalled McAfee and AVG.

Then I decided to get the latest version of McAfee.