Hey Northy,
No problems, we can get those nasties out of there without too much problems.
1st - have you started in safe mode and run msconfig to alter the startup files?
If not, you need to do that:
Restart your machine, and keep tapping F8.
Before the Windows spinny logo thing comes up you should see a white text based menu, (p.s. if you see the WIndows logo, restart - youve missed the F8 point)
Select "safe mode" on this menu, and hit Enter
When Windows finishes loading, click the START button, then select the RUN... option
type in "msconfig" and press Enter
select the STARTUP tab
If you can manually pick out the offending programs, untick their boxes, if not, click DISABLE ALL to be sure.
Restart you machine in SAFE MODE and now try going to Add/Remove programs.
If that still doesnt work, we need to step up to Defcon 2
I'll be on here all day tomorrow if that helps.
Andrew