What's the best spyware remover/protection program?

I'm new to all this but I've got to download or buy some spyware/adware program because my computer is all messed up. The ones I was using that were free (Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy) I stopped using because I didn't realize how important it was I guess, and now my computer's got stuff that has messed those programs up and I can't even use them even though I've re-dowloaded them. They won't work properly. So, can someone please tell me what's the best program out there to buy or download (that will work on an already messed up computer) -- I'd like something that will run on it's own all the time if that's possible but if not, I need whatever advice I can get . . . there are so many programs out there! I did a free download of spyware doctor and it showed a number of items 375 or more WildTangent entries and then 5 or 6 other things trojan and something that blocks you from going to spyware remover sites and some other stuff I don't know what everything is. But you have to buy the program to get it to clean the stuff off. And I did a PandaScan virus scan and it showed 4 or 5 things for adware also (different from what spyware doctor showed) but again, it won't clean them unless you pay for it. So since they all show different things, I'm not sure what's best to purchase (or download). Microsoft has an antispy free scan I think, but I have Win 98 and it requires 2000 or XP or higher so I can' try that one. Any help would be appreciated (except I hope I don't get 75 different answers because then I'll still be in the same predicament of not knowing what to do.) Help! Thanks.

 

I'm replying to my own post because I can't figure out how to edit it! I saw after I posted my message that there's a long and detailed message on how to get rid of spyware, and I read that, but there's a lot of stuff in there I can't figure out on my own how to do! It looks awfully complicated! Also, it says may not work on earlier versions than Win XP (and I have 98). Do I need to upgrade to XP before I can clean up my system or can I try all that stuff if I only have win 98 -- how could I get help to walk me through all that complicated stuff that I'm not sure I can figure out on my own! Any ideas?

 

Next question. Which would I do first, the steps in "How to Protect yourself from Malware" or the steps to fix my current problems listed in "Read me first before asking for support"

 

Another question: In the How to Protect Yourself from Malware, it says make sure you have a virus scanner but run only ONE. Then under spyware programs it suggests a number of free ones, but I didn't see it specified whether you only need one of those programs or if you have to have multiple ones . . . this would be after I would have done all the steps to clean my computer -- would I only need one of the ones you have listed or do you need a bunch of them? (spyware scanners/removers/prevention) I found when I was using Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy that they each found different stuff so seems like one isn't enough . . . but how many do you need. . . is two enough, do you have to have 7 or 8 different ones or ? ? (And do I have to have one that is "on guard and blocking stuff" all the time or is it sufficient just to run scans daily or weekly?)

 

OK, I decided to just buy a new computer since mine was prehistoric anyway and so slow and infested with malware; this time I will follow all the steps from your site on how to protect myself from Malware so hopefully that wont' happen to me again. One question after reading all the steps: It says get a CCleaner (crap cleaner) for temp int files. Is that something that has to be run on some regular basis (how often) once I download it? Thanks.