After reading the above problems of stuff being added to the desktop and favorites, I downloaded some spyware from the link provided.
I don't leave my computer on, online as I'm on dial up and they kick me off when I'm not using the net.
But I have had adware from before and run that pretty regularly, and so I've been wanting the spyware stuff for a while.
So I got it and ran it.
It found four programs and 45 cookies on my machine. I reviewed the cookie list and deleted the ones that were trash. I did recognize some cookies as stuff I felt I needed for other programs to recognize me, so I left them on.
It was kind of interesting to see just how much stuff got in without me knowing about it.
I hope all will be well now.
Jim