- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Okay, listen up: If you think your computer is infected with a virus, first, don't panic. Most, if not all viruses are easy to deal with.
Second: Get an antivirus scanner. I suggest Avast! or AVG Free, I personally use AVG free, but it's a matter of choice. Install it, run it, and let it do the dirty work. After it's installed, either one will receive free and constant updates. I don't know exactly how Avast!'s update system works, but I know that AVG provides quick, simple updates with minimal hassle. Both of them are free and receive automatic updates.
Third: Get an anti-spyware and anti-malware scanner. I suggest either Spybot S&D or Ad-Aware SE. One interesting thing to note is that occasionally, you'll run across adware that purposely interferes with the normal operation of (or even freezes) either Ad-Aware or Spybot in an attempt of self-preservation. Fortunately, if it interferres with one, it usually doesn't interfere with the other, meaning that at least one of the two will remove a given malware from your computer. Download, update, and install that.
If all that doesn't work, it might simply be a random program that boots on startup. Go into Start>Run, type "msconfig" and hit enter. Once there, go to the Startup tab and uncheck anything that doesn't belong or that you don't want to boot. I'm not saying you disable to GPU drivers, but things like QuickTime or even AIM take time to load, which might contribute to your lag.
Once the virus/malware has been removed, install a firewall. A free firewall, I recommend tZone Alarm's firewall (free version), also one that I personall use on my own computer.
Hope this helps.