Windows XP TONS of problems/trojans

Okay, so I made the mistake of not writing down specific names before I got here. So, for the past 24 hours, I was experiencing some sort of malware hijacking my Internet (changed my home page and then re-directed me when I did searches). I scanned my computer with IOrbit. It found some viruses and trojans, but then said that there were no forms of malware detected. I then used AVG's rootkit search and removed 1 hidden executable file (I forgot to write it down, and now my logs are not to be found). Next, I restarted. The malware was still there (on Firefox and IE). So, I thought maybe IOrbit was to blame, so I got rid of the toolbar and program. That did nothing, so I cleared my entire Internet search history from Firefox. Then, everything got jacked.

My computer started reporting errors on System 32. I thought maybe this was the malware trying to scare me, so I missed the names and clicked "cancel." Next, half my destop icons disappeared. Okay, no big deal, I can just restore them, since they're obviously hidden. I couldn't do a system restore to an earlier date--the "administrator" had disabled that function. Okay, so this is messing up the systems restore, I thought. I tried restarting in "debugging mode." No improvement. I tried restarting with the last known good configuration. That didn't do it. I scanned my computer with Avira. 9 trojans showed up, 7 of which were on the system restore. I removed them.

I switched to "safe mode." I have to be the "administrator," instead of my own name (which was always the administrator). I tried a system restore now, but it won't actually work. Currently in safe mode, I cannot connect to the Internet. My wireless "switch" (this is a laptop) is permanently orange, meaning it is off, no matter how I move the switch. Apparently, "A program on your computer has corrupted your default search provider setting for Internet Explorer."

I can add (theoretically) or remove programs in my control panel, and I can edit my registry (if necessary). I burned a disk of HijackThis, but I get a message in my installer of, "The system administrator has set policies to prevent this installation."

I would appreciate any suggestions for how to fix my computer. I need to be able to use it ASAP. I know there's a button in the back to reset it (which is tempting), but I do not have the original CDs--it was a gift from a relative who couldn't use the computer and lost the CDs. I have CDs for a Dell XP desktop (currently non-functional), but I don't know what that would do to an HP laptop. Thanks!

 

Thanks! It's definitely an improvement...now to finish cleaning it so I can actually connect to the Internet with my laptop.