HELP, Unresponsive computer and going back to an older version of windows?

If you're using Vista you should be running Internet Explorer 9 by now. There is no Windows version 97 but there is a Windows 98. I'm not sure if your browser is looking like Windows 98 or if your desktop is going back to Windows 98 but that doesn't seem likely. It sounds like you could be behind on Windows updates. You could also try and run an online scan like ESET. It will download a list of current viruses to look for but that's why it's a good scan,...it's up to date.