Spyware/Virus for a Dimension 2400

if you want help to fix your problem (short of reformatting), you've come to the right place, but we need more detailed information in order to proceed.

how do you know you have "virus spyware"?   what are the exact symptoms you're experiencing?   if you're getting "warning" or error messages, please copy and tell us the EXACT text as indicated --- for example, does it name any virus, or name the infected files, or suggest any products that it wants you to download in order to fix the problem?

you indicated trying to install Norton... it sounds like you did this after concluding you were infected.  if so, what, if any, anti-virus program were you running before installing Norton?

when you say Norton didn't work, do you mean you couldn't complete the installation?   or you installed it, but it wouldn't complete a scan?   or that it scanned, but didn't find any problems?

have you run any anti-spyware programs?  if so, which ones, and what did they find?

what's your operating system (XP, Vista, etc)?

Well, in the middle of the screen in a box is the following message: Spyware Infection

Your system is infected with spyware. Windows recommends you to use a spyware removal tool to prevent loss of important data and increase system perfomance. Using this pc before having it cleared from spyware threats is highly discouraged.

Yes I tried Norton after I rec'd this message. It scanned but didn't show a problem. No, I didn't nor do I have anti spyware software. The OS is Windows XP Home Edition.

sounds like it would be a "rogue" program (Smitfraud variant, Zlob trojan). 

there are some anti-spyware scanners we can try (listed below)... or if you prefer, we can bypass these "guesses", and proceed directly with HiJackThis analysis [which will "profile" your computer, and help reveal the precise culprit].   If you want to try the HiJackThis approach, just reply and let me know.

Here are links to three scanners that should hopefully help.  

I would run them in the order listed, which is based on the efficiency of their scanning algorithms.

In each case, after downloading/installing, be sure to check for updates before scanning.