Slow Computer, Lots of Adware

I ran AdAware last night, and SpyBot. There were more than 100 files, registry entries, etc. - way up from previous scans. I also have polmx.exe, alchem.exe and some other things that the programs say they cannot delete. I thought I had deleted a file called "webrebates0.exe," but it keeps coming back and my firewall keeps telling me it's trying to access the internet. I've installed Hijack This, but, on your advise, have not run it yet. My computer keeps getting slower and slower, and I need some advice on how to do a holistic cleaning.

 

"previous scans"??? When did you install these two programs? After you started having problems?

What Antivirus software do you have and what OS are you using?

This is your first post....On "your advice" -- whose advice? You mean from what you have read in the "sticky notes"? Okay then, answer the above questions first and someone will tell you something else I'm sure.

WELCOME to MAJOR GEEKS

 

I'm With Pegg.

 

Sorry - I'm running Windows XP, and I've had both programs for some time.

 

Also - I'm using McAfee Virus Scan.

 

Well, you're gonna get blasted about McAfee - but that's not the real issue (I finally dumped it myself)
Anyway, do you have a firewall program also?

Have you read the "sticky notes" and done what you think applies to this situation?
I had a lot of entries in AdAware and Spybot too at the beginning. Are you quarantining and deleting them?

Did you read the advice about running some of these programs and cleaning out problems while in safe mode or with system restore OFF so the problems aren't repeated?

 

Thank you - I'll run those steps and get back to ya.

 

Oh man, I just found this and was coming to post it...
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407