Thank you for all the replies.

  1. I have updated to Windows XP SP3

  2. I have checked for malware and will post the log below.

  3. I still cannot open any graphic or photo saved in Irfan View unless I disable Avast… the popups are AVast saying the graphic could be a dangerous file and to open in the sandbox. Trying to do that also hangs my computer and I have to manually shutdown and reboot.

  4. I may have the wrong version of Avast installed. Would someone post the link for the free version that I should have installed, please.

Here is the log from the scan:
Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 6357

Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

4/14/2011 6:44:22 PM
mbam-log-2011-04-14 (18-44-22).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 198193
Time elapsed: 7 minute(s), 7 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)