Virus outsmarting anti-virus?

I have a virus (I think) that gives me a smsc.exe error and keeps making my dial up connection box pop up. Maybe 2 viruses? Anyway, I downloaded the Grisoft AVG anti-virus and tried running it. I didn't get a special first run page but I did get a page where I could click on a button to start scanning. It scanned several hundred files and then disappeared without indicating it was done or telling me it found or did not find viruses. I think it is getting cut off. I tried it several times and the same thing kept happening. Is the virus smart enough to turn the anti-virus program off? Any ideas what I can do next?
Any help would be appreciated. Candace

 

MA don't online scans NOT work in safe mode? i've never been able to run Housecall or ActiveScan in safe mode...

 

Thank you, thank you. I did go the website, ran House Call by Micro Trend online and the worm didn't shut me down because I already was online. It caught the worm, problem solved, sort of. Running off a CD didn't work because the worm kept shutting it down with the pop up connection dialing. Yes, I know I have to be missing security measures. I keep getting sasser too. I went to the microsoft web site but I just don't understand much of what is said there. I heard I should be getting a patch, but I just don't know how to do it. Candace

 

when the windows update site loads, click scan for updates

when it's done scanning, click on the link to the left that says critical updates and service packs

then click on review and install updates

then click on the button that says install updates

the updates will download and install automatically and when it's done you will be prompted to reboot.

 

Thanks again for the help. That's the kind of advice I need - simple, to the point, and not requiring me to understand much about it! Candace