Further to an earlier posting, Stickies v6 is now available from
http://www.zhornsoftware.co.uk/stickies/download.html
.. and all is well.
Microsoft Combat Flighter Sim 3 installed ok and works well. Even taking into account the basic NVidia driver, I can run the game with all settings at 5 (the highest), and it really feels like one is there. Unfortunately, it doesn't improve one's skills at piloting 
.
PerfectDisk 8 has given problems. It will defrag what it wants to defrag, in this case everything but the third partition on my primary drive. I have tested the drive, and still PD 8 will not play ball with it. I have uninstalled PD now and await Diskeeper which I prefer anyway.
Nvidia released a new WHQL video driver, version 97.46 on Jan 5th. It fixes the error message sometimes produced by Vista when booting to desktop that informed of a recovery process in progress.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x86_97.46.html
The 'Help' file is extremely informative, but almost useless as it gives details on how the Nvidia Control Panel will look at some time in the future, and not as it is presented in this latest release.
As with all upgraded versions of Internet Explorer, some websites have been unable to be displayed because they require a specific version of IE.
Run this little 'fix' that enables IE7 to 'fool' websites into believing that it is IE6. The link will take you to it.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9517DB9C-3C0D-47FE-BD04-FAD82A9AAC9F&displaylang=en
Note that validation is required before you can download and run it
Spyware has become a major player in compromising computers, and the situation is not going to get better any time soon. It can introduce viruses, trojans and worms, and attempt to send out information about you. It is the unwelcome guest and needs to be removed.
The worst of it is that you probably downloaded the spyware, albeit inadvertently..
Some basic steps to removing Spyware/Adware..
First step is to run a one shot virus remover.. I have found that Trend Housecall works for people.. download and run it..
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
.. select the 'online scan' and follow the directions given.
This takes a while to complete but is a necessary first step.
You will also need to download Spyware removal software.. Spybot and Adaware are available at these websites.. both are free.. download and run them.. don't forget to check for updates after you have started them..
Adaware SE - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
.. And how to use it
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial48.html
Spybot S&D - http://www.safer-networking.org/
.. And how to use it
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial43.html
SpywareBlaster - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
.. And how to use it..
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial49.html
NOTE.. FOR Windows 2000/XP users ONLY. Ewido online scan - http://www.ewido.net/en/ ..
The full installable program has been replaced by AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 since the takeover by Grisoft
CWShredder will eliminate CoolWebSearch and variants.. there is a free download here..
CWShredder.. http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html
To use CWShredder, simply start the program, use 'check for update' to make sure you have the latest version, then hit 'fix.' It will check your system against a list of current CWS variants, and fix any infections it finds.
You must also run a firewall and anti-virus program.. here are some links for you..
Zonealarm Firewall (free)..http://www.zonealarm.com .. recommended
AVG Anti-virus (free).. http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ .. recommended
The weekly 'housekeeping' will not take long.. run Adaware, Spybot, and SpywareBlaster weekly, ensuring that you update them prior to starting a scan.