Nah, those programs didn't mess up your computer. I run them on my computer and have for months in addition to many other programs like pop-up blocker, firewall, etc.
( See my earlier post about where the problem lies when there is a computer problem. )
I really do dislike being so blunt but:
YOU messed up your computer by not following standard installation instructions, not the software which most people try to blame.
You did things like letting all of the background programs continue to run despite and even though on the very first install screen of EVERY program, it clearly states, "We strongly recommend that you exit all programs prior to installing this program," or words to that effect.
"All of your background programs" would include but would not necessarily be limited to the following:
Word Processors, browsers, email programs, Anti-Virus software, pop-up blockers, firewall, any anti-spyware software you had already installed in addition to any of the many other programs that insist upon running when Windows starts.
All of those things have to be shut down in order to have a successful installation of anything. While WinXP does a better job of preventing the kind of thing you experienced it still is not foolproof.
When I do an install of software the only thing left in the System Tray is the time. Other background things can also be shut down by pressing ctrl-alt-del to see the tasks that are running but you have to be careful with the tasks and not shut down system critical files.
Again, sorry to be so blunt but I have found that most people don't listen when I try to be Mr. Nice Guy. :-)
Thank you for the information in your post about exiting programs.
I truly thought that meant you should make sure the browsers windows were closed and stuff like that.
I did not know about exiting from all that other stuff in the system tray.
Thanks again. I love these threads. I learn something new each time.