can't do online virus scans

I have been trying to do the first step before I post, which is an online virus scan but whatever is infecting my computer won't let me have access to those webpages. I can't even access the Symantec sites and I am running Norton Antivirus and Internet Security 2006. Any suggestions?

I know for certain that I have ipwins.exe, but can't remove it. Also I have a Softomate toolbar under update.exe that won't go away. When I just turned off my Antivirus for a mere 30 seconds to see if maybe then I could run an online scan I had a rapidly spreading threat detected as Trojan.Peacomm.

What should my first step be?

Welcome to the forum, sounds like you have some nasty stuff:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/ipwins-15409.html
That junk is rarely alone, see if you can download HJT and post a log.
Download from here: http://www.merijn.org/files/HijackThis.exe
Create a folder on C:\HJT\ and save the file to it and run it from there.
http://russelltexas.com/malware/createhjtfolder.htm
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/tutorial94.html

If you can't download to the infected computer, HJT is small, download it to a floppy (or CD) on another computer and bring it to the infected one.

You can also look in Start > Control Panel > Add Remove programs and uninstall any of the junk you see. It will look like this:
PurityScan, OIN, OuterInfo. Also Softomate toolbar, ipwins, and any other program you know does not belong there.

Thanks

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If you have not resolved the problem, please send me a private message (pm) to re-open the thread and provide a link.