Need help to get out of this invasion trap

[slamina]

I am totally new here so please bare with me. Maybe I shouldn't be on here if infected. That tells you how little I know. So much to say so will shorten.
Anyone read about the microsoft small business groups getting hit by spammers? This is what's happened. I took out Norton several months ago to replace w/another prog.. A free trial and it expired. My fault here, I take ownership in that. I didn't know what to do with no help.
I downloaded Windows One Care and Defender for protection a couple weeks ago. Little did I know, I was hit already. It turned off my firewall, basically highjacked me. I have 265 object in quarantine and 351 removed by AdAware SE.
I am getting spoof mail claiming from Microsoft help and support. I dowloaded Grisoft firewall 30 day trial. I don't know if this will help much since they are already in my system. I called Microsoft Virus help only to tell me I need to back up data, clean and format hardrive. They are to call me back on Tuesday. I don't even have the XP boot CD. A friend has it who may come and help but can't promise it.
In the meantime, here I am and with no money at this time to buy anything to help me nor do I have anybody to help. I have 8 pages of notes on what I did, what happened,etc.. So I can help some with that. Otherwise, is there anyone out there who can help me in the meantime and until I get a boot disk and help. I have no idea where to begin with that.
I will respect your decision to not touch this mess. Can't blame you. I will just keep a eye out. Thanks for reading any further than the title Slamina

[Rich M]

Best thing to do is use online scanners.....
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
http://www.ewido.net/en/
Advice to reformat is probably the best...once you are heavily infested, I have seldom seen any machine run right that "ripped" out all kinds of spyware and virus, because that is typically what spyware removers do, especially Adaware.

[Miz]

Post back in this thread with the make and model of your computer (Dell Dimension, Compaq Presario, etc.) and if there's a model number, include that, too.

If you want to proceed with wiping everything off the drive, reinstalling Windows (and a good, free antivirus program) and start fresh, it's likely what you need to do that is built into the harddrive.

[slamina]

Thanks for both of your replies. It's much.. much.. appreciated. I am going to need to do this on my own and maybe with Microsoft since they are to give me a phone call this Tuesday afternoon. 3/21.
In answer to your questions; My computer was custom built and all I know about it is what the system summary tells me. The system manufacturer is Matsonic, model-MS9307C+, system type-X86-based PC. I hope this helps you. I'm afraid I will need to take it in to a shop.
As far as downloading other good programs for now until I can afford to buy them, I am stumped as to what is the best. I have the Windows One Care and Defender. Also, Grisoft/AVG 7.1 firewall and Venus Spy trap. Is that too much? I don't even know what's running since I have so much.
Sorry I can't help anymore than that. It's just really nerve racking and tends to really stimulate the ol' anxiety and stress level.
Thanks again, Slamina