This a pain, but I think I am getting there. I have attacked the add-ons with vigour and notice an improvement. I am thinking of Milo's idea of resetting Internet options but I don't think I know enough about what should or should not be there. He mentioned AV but what is that? Can't be Audio Visual surely.
I am still beavering away and getting rid of things that have come in by the many back doors developers and the likes of Norton etc., I have used SkyBot, Malware, Avast, HighJack This, HouseCall and others. Nothing was found at all.
My thoughts are now with registry but unless you have certain thoughts to delete something its not worth a try.
I have removed a toolbar called ALot and that made 'a lot' of difference. Too many toolbars too and I have disbaled most but that only made things worse.
It would be good to keep this thread active so that anyone with some brilliant moves can make a contribution.
Off to the registry now.