Worst computer problem ever. Help!!

I've already written a summary of this bug here: http://www.opentechsupport.net/forums/showthread.php?t=40752

Link to a hijackthis log is here:
http://home.comcast.net/~crazyjester/hijackthis.log

Basically, I have a mystery program that pops up every so often in the start menu. It fucks up HL2 royally and screws everything else up in general, but is more of an annoyance than a debilitating problem. I want a program that will log all program operation histories and/or want to figure out how the fuck to get rid of this!

I can run an XP Repair Install and possibly a whole HDD reformat if I have to, but I really don't want to. 160gb system drive can back up to a 200gb secondary easily enough, but then all the reformatting/xp reinstalling is ew. Any suggestions!!? Email me (bigopinion@gmail.com) and/or post a reply here if you think you may have a solution. I'm pretty much willing to try anything, this has gone on for 4 months now!

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/pcrepair/a/installxp.htm

use lunix lol

Nuke and Pave.
Back up ONLY files you have created or come from trusted sources.  Re-install apps from disc.

Assuming that you're running WinXP, press WIN+R or go to Start->Run.

In the window, write msconfig and press enter. Go to the Autostart tab. This is a list of programs that start with your computer. The program that causes the disturbances should be here. Google each row, check out what it does - if you don't need it - uncheck the box and that program won't start the next time you start your computer.

The following are reasons for why this might not work:

1) A legitimate program, such as HL2 or anything else tries to open some other program. This program has been infected by the virus, but isn't on the autostart page.

2) You have been infected by a rootkit, which makes windows incapable of showing you the malicious virus/keylogger.


So if editing the msconfig doesn't work, google for rootkit revealing applications - try them out. If they find something, it's probably best to format your computer. There is no way to be sure if a rootkit has been fully removed or not, and many rootkits will break your computer if you attempt to remove them. If you find no rootkit, it's either a bug in your windows or a rootkit which the applications you used can't find. Format, reinstall.

Good luck.