PC crashes while in standby mode

[peecee]

Please could someone help, I left my computer whilst I had visitors and went back but it had ' crashed'.
I tried the reset button but it was unable to load windows properly, one side of the monitor screen was dim and I caught onlya glimpse of it trying to load windows, I couldn't see anything after that although the pc was doing something in the background.
I've given up trying now and am convinced something is wrong.
Admittedly I found the CWS spyware on it the other day when I installed a Spycatcher program, could this have anything to do with it ?
I've only had my new pc 6 months ago. I run windows XP media centre and the last thng I did was burn backups of my folders on dvd and cd.
This kind of thing has happened before.
Any advice most welcome.
Thanks

[Jason]

Hello and welcome to the forum,
What happens when you turn the PC on?
Can you get into Windows?
From what you've described it's most likely a Spyware infection.

If you can get into Windows you need to do a Spyware scan and get rid of any that is present.
I'd recommend:
<a href="http://www.lavasoft.com>Ad-Aware Personal Edition</a>
<a href="http://www.spybot.com>Spybot-Search and Destroy</a>

[peecee]

Thanks for the welcome Pc Builder : )
My pc booted and loaded windows ok this morning after a couple of improper shutdowns last night : (
I ran a scan using Tenebril Spycatcher ( which I bought and installed last week )
It found these ....

atdmt.com
passport.com
CWS.HomeSearchAssistent

The CWS one is impossible to remove, I'm told it duplicates itself, the other 2 shouldn't have got there since Spycatcher is supposed to prevent the cookies installing.
Sorry if I'm not on the right place of the forum to discuss this but I believe the CWS spyware can be removed manually in safe mode, I've never done anything like this before so would appreciate some advice.
Do I need to re format ?
When my pc crashed yesterday, something was going on in the background, since the light was flashing.
Are the above anything to do with MSN messenger?
Would welcome any advice
Thanks in advance.
Peecee

[Jason]

Although you bought anti-spyware software I would still advise to scan with the two I mentioned.
There are excellent and free.

As for the CWS try <a href="http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract...html">this</a>

Post back if it doesn't work.

[peecee]

Hi PC Builder
Thanks for your help, unfortunately none of the free software detected CWS, neither did shredder get rid of it.
I've scanned with my Spycatcher and it's still there : (
I need to get rid of it
Thanks
Peecee

[Jason]

The atdmt is a tracking cookie so get rid of that.
passport entry is ok.

I did a look around for the CWS Problem.
You may find <a href="http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/foru...html">this</a> helpful.

What anti-virus software are you using?

[peecee]

Thanks PC Builder
I use AVG anti virus
I will try the info in the link you suggest
Thank you so much for this help
Much appreciated
Peecee : )