Com1 error for new install wont go away

Sigh, I am truly humbled by my recent problem. As of yesterday, Jan 5th, upon starting up my desktop I received an error. The "Found New Hardware Wizard" box opened up and is giving me a message that it cannot "Install this Hardware". For one, I wasnt trying to install any new hardware. Second, the hardware it is trying to install just says, " COM1". The reason it reads for not being able to this is, " Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service". Then the only button on the bottom is "Finish". When I click on it the box goes away for about two seconds and comes right back. Well, today I received a new dvd drive and It wont let me install it because it tells me that there is another install taking place and to finish the first one and then try again. So I dont know why this box just wont go away. Even if I End Task it still comes right back. Also there is a little found hardware icon in my system tray that puts up the little balloon telling me of this annoyance. So basically I have 700 dollar door stopper right now. Im on a 2600 Barton with half gig of pc3200 on an Abit NF-7s with a 27 gig WD caviar. I am almost positive it is some kind of virus or something but I cant figure it out and am pretty much tapped for money for awhile. Sigh. Please Help.

-Jason in Ohio

 

Also, I have tried to install some freeware antivirus sw but it tells me I cant install because I am not Admin. But I am admin on this machine. Sigh once again.