The quad is more future proof. The 2.6 dual core will run games faster now. Soon though games will start to properly utilize quad cores. so go with the quad core.

Popups? Or just adds on your browser? If popups you likely have an issue. Not with a virus but with Spyware and Adware. I recommend getting spybot search and destroy, and ad aware. Those should fix your problem.

The problem is your antivirus isn't cleaning the spyware on your computer. Most antivirus's dont.

Thanks guys

If only 2 cores of a quad are being utilized and its clocked at 2.4 ghz, wouldn't a dual core clocked at 2.4 be just as fast?

Unfortunately no.

Isn't there some dump file somewhere where I can check out the error.

I just got a Blue Screen of Death. I haven't changed any hardware or anything. Is it possible that it wont happen again?

By the way I was just surfing the internet when it happened. I have been on the computer for about ten minutes and nothing.

My dads laptop is crashing. It doesn't happen right away when you start the computer it takes 1 to 2 minutes. When it happens its like artifacting in a pc game, except the whole screen fills up with these artifacts and then it turns black.

I think the video card could possibly be overheating, because it takes a little bit for it to happen. I was thinking virus for a second, but I think its definetly the video card because of the artifacts. I'm going too open up the case to make sure theres no dust in there.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks