Big problem, help needed

[hoonercat]

Hello, sorry my first post is a 'please help' but I'm desparate. I bought my PC about 2 months ago and had no problems until this week until, out of the blue:
Home page is set to Wanadoo but it suddenly looked completely different. The usual red background has gone, the format is completely different with everything in a single column to the left of the page and there are odd icons everywhere (speech bubbles, what looks like a camera, bricks & discs). Most of the page is text which looks unformatted.
I can access my webmail account but can't open or send mail,
I can't open my hotmail account, just get a blank page.
When I launch Mcafee Security Centre I just get a blank window, the same as when I try to do a virus scan using Mcafee.
When I run start/help & support nothing happens.
When I try to do a search I get a blank window.
On certain websites I can't get any further than the homepage as nothing happens when I click on the links.
As a last resort I was going to try a system restore but again I only get a blank window. (None of these pages contain a 'about blank' messgae).
I have run avant! antivirus which found nothing, spybot comes up with DSO exploit all the time. I have contacted Wanadoo who've confirmed that the problem is at my end as they can access and open my mail (with my permission).
So if anyone has any ideas could you please let me know before my new PC learns how to fly via the window.
BTW, I have tried to uninstall Mcafee but again an presented with a blank window.

[Kov-Ice]

Are you using XP? Try booting into safe mode with networking. See if you can access the internet. Then try running Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware, or CWShredder, as well as your anti-virus, under safe mode.

[hoonercat]

Sorry but how do I reboot in safe mode? (told you I was new to this).
Thanks

[trulad]

As you restart keep tapping F8 and you will get a menu of several choices. Choose Safe Mode with network support.
trulad

[hoonercat]

I've run spy-bot, ad-aware & avant anti-virus in safe mode several times now. Ad-ware found some problems which I've deleted but it hasn't solved my problems so I'll try a symantec restore as my PC won't allow me to do a system restore.

[Kov-Ice]

Were you able to connect to the internet while in safe mode? Did you select Safe Mode with Networking to try it?

[hoonercat]

I could not connect to the net in safe mode with networking, not sure why though.

[helloimtim]

You have xp. Tried the system restore?? Or reboot and restore it that way?? Think its the f8 key?? Last little trick. If you got it from a good company. Call tec support. Should be free. Tell them xp will not boot. They will have you try a few things. DONT try them Just keep telling them it still will not work. They will send you a set of restoration disks for free. I did that for compaq. No its not illegal. Thoes disks will only work on YOUR system. They are just a system restore disks the companys should provide anyway. You could make the same disks from your computer but why risk a possible virus issue. I paid 800 bucks for this computer they should include the disks. It will set your computer back to the just out of the box settings. Goodnes I miss windows 98. They used to give you the disk without having to jump through hoops..............peace......im out