virus help - please

I think I have a virus, I recieved some new programs for Christmas but I cant get them loaded, they start and then they just sit there for hours.

I tried running my free virus program and it stalls out as well. I downloaded some stuff from Microsoft that I thought would help but it has'nt made a dent. I also tried to down load some Compaq security downloads but it also starts but just sits and hangs there, and my e-mail is getting wierd e-mail (I'm deleting imediatly) that has mispelled words or words that dont spell anything in the subject line.

So .... how do I get rid of virus's if I'm unable to download fixes? Does anyone know?

Thanks, Jill