BleepingComputer.com: Cannot instal MSAS after download

Hello all,

I'm trying to clean one of my users' infected PC. On start up it had a black screen with a Warning message about spyware infections (poorly written in broken English) and the unit freezes up for 30 seconds or so every couple minutes.

I've tried the usual fixes, (NAV, Panda, AdAware, Pest Patrol, SpyBot S&D, etc) to no avial. Tried HJT, compared the results to some posted online and deleted based on expert feedbacked in those threads - still having issues even though the apps report no issues left.

As a last resort, downloaded MS AntiSpyware to the desktop and double clicked. Got an hour glass for a couple seconds but the installer won't run. Tried safe mode but got an error message that it needed a service to run that is not available under safe mode.

The black screen background is now gone, replaced by a flickering white screen no matter which background I choose in Display properties. Needless to say, the PC is still sluggish and exhibiting signs of infestation.

I'm out of ideas folks - any help in solving these issues would be greatly appreciated. It's an HP pavilion xt934 running XP HE.

Thanx in advance.
SD