Home Antivirus 2010

This virus/spyware? found its way onto my computer.  The initial popup made it look suspicious due to poor spelling in its message.  However while trying to run ad aware and then spybot, it activated itself.  I have also seen it referred as Fake Windows Support Center virus/spyware.  I found references to it online, but it seems I cannot get rid of it.  My original security software, Symantec systemworks 2005 found a virus generic.pack.233, but had trouble removing it.  In the process of trying to run spybot and ad aware, they both became unuse-able, then so did internet explorer.  I cannot load run any of the said software, nor the microsoft malicious spyware removal tool, nor run Nortons 360 that I installed.  For a while I could not even run Firefox to get online except in safe mode.  Currently I am using firefox under normal browsing again.  But cannot download anything, I am assuming because of the curruption? with I explorer, which I tried re-installing but couldn't  I need advise how to find / remove whatever is controling my computer.  What information would be helpful?

Dell Lattitude 110L laptop, 1.6 ghz, 512 ram, 40 gb HD,  XP Prof, service pack 3.  Was Internet Explorer 6, connection via wireless Linksys G router cox cable high speed access.  All of which is working fin.

Thanks for any assistance