[color:"orange"]this was either because of or related to the tons of pop up ads that suddenly started popping up![/color]
Check this list of freeware
anti-virus / anti-spyware programs, in addition to Cleglaw's link for XP's messenger spam.
[color:"orange"]also, i cant load the save from before the editor.[/color]
You tried deleting the files in the dynamics folder? Maybe a clean re-install would help.
You do not need to install the patch before starting a new game, but some of the story fixes only apply to games started after it is installed, so you will get the best effect installing the patch first.
