A nasty problem-need help

Greetings from a newbie to this forum. I seemed to have picked up a serious bug and can't find info enough to get rid of it. I have a Gateway 2000 with Windows 98 installed (don't ask.) Pentium III and 7 gig hard drive.
Recently I started getting the dreaded Blue Error page a lot, with the computer sometimes locking up or re-booting itself. I have Ad-Aware, Spybot and VirScan, which didn't help. I downloaded McAfee Internet Security Suite 7 and all the updates. Tried it once. The computer locked up. Now, when restarting, I can't get into Windows, not even safe-mode. Only the wallpaper comes in, no icons or task bar. I can still get into DOS. I tried using a C:\ prompt and typed>
cd\progra~1\common~1\networ~1\viruss~1\40~1.xx

This got an invaled file response. I tried entering the commands one at a time. Got hung up on networ~1

Can't seem to get any farther. I could sure use some help here.

PS: my back-up computer (little Pentium I) is also infected, but hasn't quite quit yet. I expect it to soon, though.

Dave

 

Please follow the steps below, if your computer will not do certain steps do make sure to note which ones it wont run:

- Run ALL the steps in this Sticky thread READ ME FIRST BEFORE ASKING FOR SUPPORT: Basic Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal

Make sure you check version numbers and get all updates.

- Very Important: Make sure you tell us the results from running the tutorial...was anything found? Were you unable to complete any of the scans?...Were you unable to download any of the tools?...Did you do the on-line scans as suggested? etc.


After doing ALL of the above you still have a problem:

- Download HijackThis 1.99.1

- Unzip the hijackthis.exe file to a folder you create named C:\Program Files\HJT

- Do NOT run Hijack This from the Desktop, a temp folder, or a sub-folder of C:\Documents and Settings, or choose to run it directly from the downloaded ZIP file.

- Before running HijackThis: You must close each of the following:your web browser, e-mail client, instant messenger, and programs like notepad, wordpad, MS Word etc. And any other unnecessary running programs.

- Run HijackThis and save your log file.

- Post your log as an ATTACHMENT to your next message. (Do NOT copy/paste the log into your post).

 

Thanks for the help so far, but I can't use it yet. The problem is that my computer won't go into windows, not even safe mode. I get the wallpaper up ok, but no programs load, including explorer. I can only get into DOS. Any other suggestions would be appriciated.

Dave