Glad you are sorted, Bernard. I suspect that you had something similar to what I was fighting a couple of weeks ago (Thread [Another Another Problem])but the contrast in your obvious experience to mine made the difference. Mick Pearce made several suggestions in PMs to me (thanks, Mick) but wisely didn't suggest ComboFix because it needs more experience than I can muster, judging from the warnings on the website.
I used a hardware solution; this is the same computer but I'm running a different harddrive, with the power plug pulled on the original. I'll format-and-load the original HD when I get around to it. There's nothing on there now that I can't afford to lose.
Maybe try ComboFix first?
Both HDs are jumpered 'master' so they can't cross-pollinate each other. Well, I THINK not.
And my business records and software are on an old Gateway that works perfectly well and is NEVER going on the web!