To delete or not to delete...that is the question

After lurking for a very long time (and getting tons of good info in the process), I've decided to go to the ones who seem to know the most. On the 1st, my computer was running just fine. On the morning of the 2nd, I got up and some things seemed rather "wonky". I did a little digging and the only thing I could really see that had changed was an automatic update from Windows over night. Like a :*** I started messing around to see what could have happened. On the advice of a friend, I took off Avast (which seemed to add more viruses than it caught), added AVG, SuperAnti-Spyware and Comodo for a firewall. That's when all hell broke loose. I tried using Revo to uninstall everything and of course, AVG is deep in there, as is Comodo. I ran through a trail and saw Comodo tied to Tamra (downloaded about 2 yrs ago given the date and I don't even remember dwnlding that!!!). I followed BlackViper's list and that just made things even worse. My task scheduler is now giving errors. I did an Eset online scan, found 9 viruses. Got them deleted, rebooted, went back and there were 2 still left. Got those, too. But in the meantime, I clearly screwed around in a registry area I shouldn't have when trying to get Comodo (which wasn't very user friendly and kept blocking me from EVERYTHING) off of my computer. It's a HP laptop running Vista. 32. I couldn't get online. I couldn't even get restore to work because again, following advice, I put a stop to automatic updates from Windows. I finally was able to reinstall Comodo just to be able to get back online. I ran Hi-Jack this and while I know my way around a computer, well, not THAT well. So, I'm transferring all of my personal files to an external hard drive and considering just wiping this down to the original file settings (of course, I have no original disc because the Vista came installed on the laptop. Though, they do have an area where you can just hit a button and start from factory settings.) It's a dilemma I'm hoping someone can help me with. Either wipe it, help see if there are still viruses hanging around, recommend the best firewall, anti-virus/protection software or ??? I need my laptop for work because I work from home but I handle sensitive material so I need to stay protected. I haven't even been able to work since this all began. So....please....HELP!!!! Thanks for any advice.

 

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