Task bar keeps disappearing

[ashcan123]

Im running Windows Vista Home Premium an the other night the task bar started disapearing an then reappearing and sometimes i get the dialogue box which says "Windows Explorer has stopped working, check online then restart the program or restart the program".
Under the task bar properties the Lock the task is checked and the autohide taskbar is left unchecked, so i know its not that.
I did notice that about the same time the taskbar 1st started disappearing my ESET anti-virus program quarentined these items.
27/06/2008 19:34:12 Real-time file system protection file C:\Users\Robert\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Te mporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\Q21QPIJV\kb111653[2] Win32/Adware.Agent.NIY application cleaned by deleting - quarantined Event occurred on a new file created by the application: C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe.
27/06/2008 19:32:53 HTTP filter file http://62.4.83.205/kb111653.dll?&uid...F&affid=156957 Win32/Adware.Agent.NIY application connection terminated - quarantined Robert-PC\Robert Threat was detected upon access to web by the application: C:\Windows\explorer.exe.

[InstallingIT]

Hi

Your taskbar will disappear for a short period if explorer.exe crashes. As ESET has quarantined some files I would recommend restarting your computer in safe mode and doing a full virus scan.

I hope this helps, if you need any more instructions just let me know.

Many Thanks

Leo

[ashcan123]

After starting the PC in safe mode as per instruction the ESET anti-virus was unable to perform a virus scan.
However my problem seems to have gone from bad to worse, aswell as the Taskbar and Desktop icons disappearing im now getting several instances of internet explorer opening up by itself opening webpages like pacific poker and other gambling websites. Ive done a spyware scan with Ad-Aware 2007 and removed all cases of infection but this hasnt resolved my issue so any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[TheComputerGuy]

Hi,

What anti virus/spyware software are you using? I would recommend downloading a different program to the one you are using as some antivirus/spyware removal programs don't pick up all viruses.
Then try to boot into safe mode and perform a virus scan if possible?
If not, I would backup all my files and just reinstall windows(This has proved the best solution for me anyway)
Hope this helps

[unnameduser]

definitely sounds like a virus / spyware issue. Try the following spyware programs from the below link - superantispyware, spybot search and destroy. Run both programs in safe mode.

If this fails you could try more advanced programs like hijackthis and combofix but you would want to be sure what you are doing