The simple fix would be to get an Apple.
Seriously now, check everything in your tasklist against this "dictionary"
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Taskl...s/tasklist.htm Be careful with capitalization and "L"s looking like "I"s and stuff like that.
Also, I used to work in the Technology Services department of a school district. With a case like yours, we would have done everything you did, and if that didn't work, we would have gone straight for a re-image. Since this is probably not an option in your case, I'm not really sure what to tell you to fix it. Do you have the Windows CD and all your program CDs? If so, you could back up your files to an external HD and reinstal Windows and your programs.
To keep spyware/adware/malware off, we would use SpywareBlaster
http://www.download.com/SpywareBlast...ml?tag=lst-0-1 Also, be sure to keep up with Windows Updates. After you install, restart and go back to check for more. Some updates trigger more updates. You might also want to bump up your IE security settings. Last,
the best way to prevent this stuff is to simply be careful of what you are clicking on and what sites you go to. Anything from C2 media or Gator Corporation while you are online is bad for your comp. Anything that says "Your computer may be infected with spyware" is bad for your comp. A lot of times they will have popups that look like they are real Windows message boxes. Be careful and pay close attention to what the cursor looks like. A pointing finger is a linked popup, not a real message.
You also may want to try Google toolbar with popup blocker since many popups lead to spyware. While some say the toolbar itself is "spyware" because it reports back the sites you go to (for category listings and rankings and the such) and it updates itself automatically, it does nothing harmful to the computer, performance, or security and it is made by a reputable company. I have found the Google toolbar to be the ONLY safe search toolbar to have installed. I have used it for over 2 years with much success and no problems.