[eugeneg]

When asked to remove viruses I normally take the disk out of the initial PC and mount it in a clean one. What next ? The options that spring to mind are:
1. Run virtual PCs - each with a different anti-virus product loaded to scan the suspect disk.
2. Boot off Knopix or Linux CD and run several online free scanners.
3. Create a Bart's or Ultimate Boot CD with several tools embedded.

Perhaps there is a better way.
Option 1 is fine but takes too long. Option 2 does not give much control (I don't want to scan C: drive, do want log file and do want fixable problems resolved). Option 3 requires a new CD with updated tools to be created each time.

The aim is to remove all the viruses in as short a time as possible.

[AKAJohnDoe]

The best practice is to prevent them from getting on the machine in the first place.

[hrlow2]

For myself, I have never had a real infection, but I have cleaned out a few machines for some friends.
I keep all my AV and antispyware updated and backed up to a USB drive that I take with me. I then install them onto the infected machine, totally disconnect from the internet, boot into Safe Mode, and run all programs until the machine comes up clean.
I use MalwareBytes and SuperAntiSpyware as my primary weapons.I then install SpywareGuard to keep an eye on things.
I don't have very many callbacks to the same machine, and the ones I do are usually only cookies found and a defrag needed.
There really is no "short way" if you want a really clean system. The time would depend on what type of infection and the severity of it.