If you already have a virus, try running the cleaner programs in Safe Mode (hit the F8 function key as the machine boots up, and choose Safe mode). Since you haven't provided specifics, here are some general purpose recommendations.
Free Anti-Virus for home use
AVG Free
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/win/20601
Avast! 4 Home
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
Mcafee Free tools
http://us.mcafee.com/root/catalog.asp?catid=free
Clam (open source)
Mac http://www.clamxav.com/
Win http://www.clamwin.com/
Unix http://www.clamav.net/
Anti-Spyware
Ad-Aware 2008
http://lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
SpyBot Search & Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/
CCleaner (cleans out caches) http://www.ccleaner.com
Consider using Firefox instead of Internet Explorer
http://www.getfirefox.com