help is greatly appreciated

There are some real problems here.  Why was the McAfee software not updated?  If you are going to move to other AV software, you are going to have to get the McAfee software off the computer before installing something else.  This is going to be hard, but you might start by trying to update the software.  If it will update, then run it to see if it will remove the virus.  I can give you the name of a free AV program, but the McAfee will have to be uninstalled prior to installing the free one.  If you establish the fact that you can not update McAfee, then contact them for uninstall instruction for your version.  We also need to know the name of the virus, and if you have not had a working AV programs, chances are you have many more problems than that.  As I said, it will be hard to get this done, I and others will try to help if you wish?  Here is the name of a free AV program. Make sure the old AV is gone, then download following directions carefully. This is very important.  Once it is installed, you will need a code to activate it, it will be sent to you in an email.  Once activated, update the software first, then run it.  Then let us know where you are.  Good luck.

http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Windows Xp Professional
5.1.2600 Service Pack Build 2600
Dimension 4550 X-86 based PC
Bios A03, 11/12/2002
Pentium 4 2.0Ghz
256MB RAM
IE 6.0

I too would recommend the AVG6 free anti-virus software from Grisoft.

You do need to remove the old McAfee software - you will find instructions on thier website.

Turn on the windows XP firewall, instruction on my site below.

Then follow the instructions below, and we will get you clear of all malware.
----------------------------------
On my site (Link Below) try the AV section and one of the online virus checkers, such as housecall.

If that does not work try the malware route.
Use these to remove Malware (Spyware and Adware).

1) SpyBot Search and Destroy
After installing SpyBot Search & Destroy, first press Online, and search for, put a check mark at, and install all updates.
Next, close all Internet Explorer windows, hit 'Check for Problems', and have SpyBot remove all the items it marks in red.

2) Get Ad-Aware
After installing Ad-Aware, and before running the program, first press “check for updates now".
Click "Connect" and install all updated components available. Click 'Finish'.
Press "Scan Now", then 'next', and let Ad-Aware scan your drives.
It will find a number of "bad" files and registry keys. Click 'Next' again.
Check all found items, and click 'next' once more.
It will ask you whether you'd like to remove all checked items. Click OK.

Always reboot the computer between each program - both of these may find things that they need to have a reboot of the machine to clear - please reboot and let them finish .

Failing those solving your problems a post of a hijackthis log for the experts to advise.
HijackThis From Here
or one of these other links:-
http://www.merijn.org/files/hijackthis.zip
http://www.aluriasoftware.com/tools/hijackthis.zip
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

Important: Create a folder on the C: drive called C:\HJT.
You can do this by going to My Computer (Windows key+e) then double click on C: then right click and select New then Folder and name it HJT.
Unzip HijackThis into this folder. When you run HijackThis from this folder and have it "Fixed checked" it will create a backup file of modifications to use if restore is necessary. Then run, scan, save log, then in notepad copy the FULL log by copy and paste as a reply to this post and an expert with HijackThis Knowldge, will have a go at giving advice. Please note the list of experts names below, very few forum regulars here have had this training.

DO NOT FIX ANYTHING WITH HIJACKTHIS WITHOUT EXPERT ADVICE, most of what it finds you need for normal MS Windows tasks.

Known Spyware HijackThis fighters in DellTalk - If you are, and are not on the list please PM Me.

TomCoyote (of http://tomcoyote.org/forums/index.php fame)
YoKenny (Accredited Expert at TomCoyotes)
baskar1234 (Teaching Assistant at TomCoyotes, Trusted Advisor Spywareinfo)
ChrisRLG (Teaching Assistant at TomCoyotes, Trusted Advisor Spywareinfo)
Tuxedo Jack (Teaching Assistant at TomCoyotes, Trusted Advisor Spywareinfo)
Yellowhammer (Trusted Advisor at Net-Integration, First Responder at Computer Cops)
therock247uk (In Training at TomCoyotes)
irelynmisses (In Training at TomCoyotes)
You could also go to one of the more specalist forums where more experts will be able to help.
http://www.net-integration.net/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi (Home of Spybot S&D)
http://boards.cexx.org/index.php
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/index.php
http://tomcoyote.org/forums/index.php
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php
Do read the sites FAQ before posting, and advise your problem and what steps you have already done to try to cure your problem.

I, and the other hijack experts mentioned above, are in all those sites (and more) with the same login names. You might get one of us at those sites also to anwser your log, but other experts will also be available.

and another thing...how is that name of the virus found? Something popped up that said it detected a virus...click here to destroy..and then it brought me to the screen to get the McAfee for 40 bucks per month...

i already uninstalled McAfee and it did everything just fine

i downloaded the AVG and it found 9 viruses and got rid of them....it seems to be working great so thank you very much for your help

I do suggest that you follow ChrisRLG's advice, and download HijackThis, and post the log for him to review for you.  If you had that many viruses, it is hard to tell how much spyware/malware, etc. you still have on your computer that AVG will not remove. If you have any problems downloading HijackThis, or running the log and posting it, let us know and someone will guide you through. Do not attempt to remove anything yourself. Training is required to know what to remove. I would also suggest you make sure your Windows Xp firewall is activated as Chris suggested.