I had the same problem that Dave Winer is talking about here. I had to re-install the operating system to get rid of the spyware, but my laptop was delivered with the OS pre-installed, and no CDs. Because I can’t afford to buy a copy of Windows, I had to borrow an illegal one from a friend, which does not make sense because I am also a legal licensee of the OS. Otherwise, my other choice would be throwing out the laptop!