Sound gone, volume control gone-Please Help

I started my computer today, sound was gone and so was the volume control icon. I thought problem may be with a damaged Sndvol32.exe file so I unpacked a fresh sndvol32.exe file from windows cd.

I restarted the computer, sound worked fine for a few seconds, volume control icon was present. But then both just disappeared.

Infact I was getting sound for a few seconds even before I tried the sndvol32.exe solution.

I tried following the "Steps for Malware Removal" but at the CCleaner stage I was stuck. CCleaner won't run, I tried Ad Aware, that too didn't run.

I am at my wit's end, what should I do next?

 

Ill bet you need to reload ac 97 drivers...

 

I have reinstalled ac 97 drivers but with no effect. AS I said in the post, everything works just fine for a few seconds after window loads.

I have a hunch that this is the result of some virus which loads a few seconds after windows starts and blocks sound, it also blocks any malware removal software I use.

Please suggest, what I should do.