Help with "DO NOT POST UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THIS: How to: Spyware, Trojan And Virus.."

My wife's PC (Windows XP SP2) is having some issues and I'm not sure what the problem is. She gets odd desktop icons that keep reappearing (i.e. "Find a Date"). Her browser (FireFox 1.0.6) also changes it's Homepage to some odd URL that doesn't work and can't be found. Also her PC is much slower than it was before these other issues starting happening.

I found the following post "DO NOT POST UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THIS: How to: Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal" and I'm trying to follow it but I'm having some problems.

First of all, when I click on the BitDefender link (http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php) in section 4.1 it opens in FireFox (her default browser) but the page state that IE 4+ is required for the Online Scanner to work. So, I tried opening that same URL in IE (version 6.0.2900.2149.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1510CO). It brings me to the page when I have to agree to the license agreement by clicking "I Agree", which I click. It then brings up a Error Message pop-up with only an OK button that states "This web site is not authorized to host this ActiveX control. Please contact the webmaster of this web site, or repor to BitDefender at the e-mail address: scanonline@bitdefender.com." So, I click OK to the Error Message and then the current page is the page with the Scanning Options. I then click "Click here to scan" but nothing happens. I followed the same steps on my PC (also WIndows XP SP2) and I never got the Error Message and it is currently scanning my PC (it says it's going to take 5 hours ). Any ideas how to get it to work on her PC. FYI, yes I am in Safemode on her PC, but I'm not on my PC. Would that make the difference?

Secondly, when I click on the RavAntivirus link (http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan) it bring me to the Rav Antivirus Scan Online page where I click "click here" to continue without subscribing. On the next page, I can't find the Auto Clean or Scan my PC option mentioned in the post I'm following. It tells me to select a file to scan and if I wasnt to completely check my computer I have to run one of the RAV Antivirus products locally on my computer. Am I supposed to download, install, and run the "Home Users/Small Business Anti-Virus Solutions" available on their products page?
Actually, when I try to download that product I get a page that says "Download Section is closed. Existing RAV Antivirus registered customers should address support@ravantivirus.com for downloading existing products. Due to the acquisition of RAV's IPR by Microsoft Corp., GeCAD Software SRL is currently engaged in a strategic reorganization of its operations, which includes scaling down and discontinuation of its anti-virus related business. More details at: http://www.ravantivirs.com/pages/shownews.php?=153. As part of this process please be informed that RAV Antivirus online and direct sales ceased September 3rd, 2003."
Should I skip the RAVAntivirus step then or is there something I need to do in place of that?

If I didn't give enough details about something or if you have any questions, please let me know.

Thanks