Using Firefox and getting internet explorer pop ups?

Sadly you can't get rid if IE because its built into windowsXP - its one of the reasons I use linux instead

Although from vista onwards IE is apparently possible to remove from the add/remove software tool

ALthough I suspect it still leaves lots of IE behind

I think you are definately on the right track with scanning for malware

You should be able to scan faster if you start windows in safe mode by pressing F8 during boot-up and then running your anti-malware

Sounds like you got some malware that has gotten by the anti-malware and is now making it lie to you.

You should boot into Windows Safe Mode (hold F8) and use IE to run a Windows Live Scanner (allow Acitive X on that site only, reload page to get it to work)

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Once that is all done tuning up your computer and hopefully not finding any malware, but since you have pop-ups when your computer boots, you likely do have a very serious case.

If you overloaded with malware and there is no One Care remedy, you might try a going back to a earlier System Restore state, before the popups occurred.

You can't delete IE, don't try it. Windows depends upon it.

If you can't restore a functioning machine, your going to have to have it "Factory Restored" by a professional computer person, if you can backup your files to a external hard drive you should do so.

FYI:

Firefox has been hacked by Microsoft.

Microsoft has installed (without your informed consent) into Firefox, rubbish that degrades the security of Firefox to little more than IE.

Check your FF> Tools> 'Add-on's'> "Extensions" & "Plug-in's" boxes, and uninstall/disable .NET framework, Windows Presentation Foundation, Shockwave, Silverlight.

These hacks re-enable the JavaScript exploit avenue.

http://www.grc.com/sn/sn-199.htm

The Silverlight (and maybe more) will try to re-install after some MS updates, so these procedures must be constantly monitored & redone when necessary.

This very powerful 'language' (JavaScript) can get a computer to do nearly anything, and I suspect it's being leveraged to invoke iE and display those unwanted items.

Further, the following tips should help, but methods (vectors) constantly change.

FIREFOX: Tools> Options> Privacy> top drop menu set to "Firefox will use custom settings..."> Check 'Accept Cookies from sites'

►& Un-Check 'Accept 3rd Party cookies'.

My own choices (Official Mozilla) to bolster Firefox is here:

https://addons.mozilla.org/collections/dunbar-papp...

►► At minimum, get the #1 item for malware prevention: NoScript.

Another ringing endorsement: http://www.pcworld.com/article/201309/security_sec...

might desire to be brought about via secret agent ware or spyware... i could propose downloading and scanning your equipment with the two Spybot and Adaware (the two are unfastened) via how, there's no longer probably an basic thank you to do away with information superhighway explorer out of your computer. you could do away with the shortcuts via going to the administration Panel > upload or do away with classes > upload or do away with homestead windows factors > uncheck the checkbox, yet IE will you be on your computer. in case you actual had to do away with IE, you could might desire to reconfigure the trails interior the registry to apply firefox particularly of information superhighway Explorer, and possibilities are high you could have classes that place self belief in the IE browser which will no onger function.

Go for Linux and dump Microsoft.