Browser/programs hijacked

[thejza]

Hi, I'm trying to fix my laptop, it's a Toshiba laptop running Windows XP.

Symptoms:

-I keep getting popups that tell me I need a sketchy brand antivirus software (complete with misspellings in the ad)
-my browser has been hijacked and keeps pointing to the same sketchy brand antivirus webpage
-I cannot open any programs, I keep getting "________ program has been infected" popup messages.

Does anyone know what I could do? I'm familiar with going into the registry and editing it, but I don't know what I'm looking for in this case or if I should even bother.

Thanks for any help!

 

[aford10]

Follow the guide in my signature.

 

[thejza]

Best answer selected by thejza.

 

[thejza]

Thanks for your response, I was able to get my OS back up and running, thanks.