Infinite sub-folders in XP registry?

Anyone ever encounter this in their registry?
under
My Computer\KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
which has folders of applications installed on the system
I never seen this before, but there is a sub-folder in My Computer\KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE with no name on it and has a Plus sign next to it, meaning that it has sub-folders of its own.
When I click on the plus sign to expand the folder, it looks to be an exact replica of what was in My Computer\KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE with the unnamed sub-folder which can also expand. When you click on the plus sign for this 2nd unnamed sub-folder, it expands and contains the same contents of My Computer\KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE.
This can go on and on and on endlessly. Was this created by some virus, I am quite puzzled by this. Hopefully I explained this clearly enough, if not, maybe I can upload a screenshot?


Also this PC has been compromised by some malware.

- Already ran Ad-aware, Spybot, TrendMicro Online scanner, CA ETrust AV scanner, cwshredder, couple of small cleaners in the sticky thread, McAfee's Stinger, and cleaned whatever was found.
- trojans/worms that were found by CA: win32.BettInet.AS, win32.SillyDl.Ku, win32.Qoologic.G, win32.SillyDl.MK, win32.Netsky.P

- Deleted some entries I know that are bad in HiJackThis.
I'm nearly done cleaning the pop-up problem.

 

Hmmm strange, this doesn't occur in Safe-mode.

 

problem resolved, after running the cleaners in safe mode, the infinite sub-folders went away in normal mode