Laptop Woes with Worm

I recieved a call from a client's employee about his laptop.Initial problem, DOS based program wont run. Just flashes on then off. Laptop had not been patched nor did it have antispyware. Had him download adaware and removed 76 objects. Had him update patches. Still wouldnt work. He is also unable to go to antivirus websites.gets page cannot be displayed. cant run regedit. cant run desktop search. ?????thanks