[jipsi]

Thanks for your help...
I did more sleuthing, and found another post on another message forum that had the EXACT same problem (same file name, everything).
I followed their advice and downloaded two recommended app's, one called SpyBot, one AdAware 6. (found both - FREE - via Google)
As I was able to navigate DESPITE the error dialogue box, I installed both, then restarted and ran SpyBot...
Downloaded the newest updates (again, per advice), then ran its "Search and Destroy" mode...WHAM! It found 172 'planted' files, all 'adware', and removed them.
I then ran AdAware, and it found several more.
One more restart, and I had no more error message!
I gave the proverbial dead bug another big swat by going into the WINDOWS/TEMP folder and deleting it -- finally!

Still wish I knew how it 'got in' in the first place...
Thanks again for being here...definitely will be visiting more regularly!

Hope my recap of my solution helps someone else...

jipsi

PS: "safe mode' did allow me to manually delete the bad file.... BUT, it CAME BACK, every time, after three tries...