Annoying virus... help! D:

[Helena]

Ok. My computer has some viruses. I went and researched them, and found out I had some kind of spyware, they were BraveSentry, and Mirar or something. I went to a few sites, checked out solutions, and followed the steps to remove them. I did everything they said to do, deleted files etc etc. But I still have problems. I have to run in safe mode. Symptoms:
-The desktop background is blue and yellow, with a message something like "Your computer is infected with spyware, install a spyware remover now."
-In the system tray, there's a red circle with an X and it has a popup dialogue saying, "Your computer is infected! Click here to download the latest spyware remover!"
-The internet it VERY slow, in any browser, and freezes a lot.
-The screensaver type thing is of little black bugs that crawl around of the screen and eat blue patches.

I'm using windows xp, and internet explorer 6, and whatever the latest version of firefox.
All of these things only happen in Normal running mode, except for the bug screensaver thing and the internet freezing which also happens in Safe mode. What can I do, save for buying a new computer which I may do soon anyway?
Diagnosis plz?

Screenie of bugs eating mah screen.

[Rachel]

you don't have to buy a new computer if you have spyware/a virus

First of all, if you have functionality (which it sounds like you do), i would back up all your documents ASAP, just incase.
Next i'd try downloading a spyware scanner and/or virus scanner (adaware and AVG are two free ones) and run them and see if they can get rid of them.
If that doesnt work and nobody else has a better suggestion then you can re-install windows reasonably easily which would get rid of it - but would also get rid of all your documents and settings if you don't back them up first.

[Oops]

You can do a system restore. It keeps your documents, but sets you computer back to when it was last running properly.

I can't remember where it is on windows xp, but search through the menus on the start menu.

You've had this virus for ages haven't you. Hope you can get it sorted.

[Ange]

I think I remember most virus removal instructions telling me to turn off system restore before running the programs in safe mode. It can make a huge difference...I forgot to turn it off once and I got re-infected from the backup file.

You definitely have that annoying spyware stuff that claims you have spyware :-P

Did you use this one?
http://www.pchell.com/support/spyaxe.shtml

It has a bunch of tools you can use first before trying to delete files manually.

[Helena]

@ Rachel: Thanks, I'll start to back up now!
@ Oops: Yeh, system restore won't work, and yep, I've had this for ages.
@Angisfab: Thanks for the tips!

[Siouxper]

Try downloading some free antispyware/antivirus tools from a site such as CNET's Download.com Then try going into Safe Mode and scanning with these tools, hopefully they should remove some of the issues.

-The desktop background is blue and yellow, with a message something like "Your computer is infected with spyware, install a spyware remover now."
-In the system tray, there's a red circle with an X and it has a popup dialogue saying, "Your computer is infected! Click here to download the latest spyware remover!"

Whatever you do, don't click those messages or they will install more spyware/adware/viruses onto your computer.