I have an error/virus on my computer yet nothing would detect it and it keeps messing up my computer?

Question

I think i have a virus on my computer since alot of my stuff keeps messing up. Sometimes everything would just freeze and i try to click on buttons, they disappear, i tried to click on the start button to restart the computer, it disappears as well. Then i have to result on actually pressing the power button which greatly messes up the computer. Stuff keeps freezing up and its like i cant get anything done. When i get back onto my comptuer the desktop gets 'turned off' and some data is lost. I tried doing a McAffee virus scan on all my files (almost 50,000) and none are infected.

Recent programs i have downloaded (and deleted):
Macromedia Flash trial
M.U.G.E.N/Naruto battle arena (video game)
WinRAR
Instant Cursors and Icons (or somethin like that)
Art Cursors
Photoshop trial(it didnt work when i dled it)

Any possibilities for why this is happening? Or any tips to fix it?

Oh, and a blue error screen sometimes pops up saying that Windows has to close for an error

I have windows XP Professional
Art cursors/instant cursors and icons is a cursor/icon CREATOR not the actual cursors. I know those things have viruses :P And besides, they all suck :P

The blue screen says something like 'Windows has detected an unexpected error and has to shut down *random numbers and giberrish stuff here*' or something.

Answer 1

I would suggest doing scans with other anti-virus programs to be sure (e.g. AVG Free), making sure to update to the latest definitions first.

I would also suggest taking a look at which programs are running in the background that are not needed or suspicious (take a look at the Processes tab in Task Manager, the Start > All Programs > Startup list, or in the registry under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, if you are willing to mess with the registry). If they look suspicious, Google them for more info. If they are not needed, try uninstalling them, or uninstalling recently installed programs, restarting after each one.

Answer 2

You might want to do a clean reinstall if you have not tried ad-aware and mcafee finds nothing. it could be a hardware problem. Windows 98 does that a lot, don't know if you upgraded to windows XP or 2000 but you should. Also, do not download cursors or icons from the web, they maybe fun (not!) but sometimes have spyware built in to them. The blue screen is usually a sign of hardware or windows configuration error - not from spyware or virus. Best thing to do is, backup all of your personal files and documents to an external drive, then reformat your drive and reinstall windows - preferably XP - then restore your files back.

Answer 3

I have recently brought my two computers to my local Staples Store. The Technicians at Staples were able to remove a virus that no one else was able to remove from one computer as well as replace the mother board on the other computer. I am a happy customer. I now use Norton!

Answer 4

First, I suggest you run your antivirus program in Safe Mode:

Turn your PC on or Restart. As soon as you see the black and white screen, press and hold the F8 key. Continue holding until you see a black and white menu. Safe Mode is F3 or F5.

Click Start, Programs, run your AV program, install, uninstall, whatever.

When it is finished, Restart.

You will probably find your icons messed up. No biggee. Drag them back into place.

Then, to get rid of the "Blue Screen of Death," I would go for a Windows repair:

*WindowsXP Repair Explained*
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/options_to_use_when_a_system_will_not_start.mspx?mfr=true

How to Perform a clean WindowsXP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

WindowsXP Repair Tools
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Windows%20XP%20by%20Installing%20Over%20top%20of%20Existing%20Setup:

http://www.download-download-this.com/4.html?OVRAW=Windows%20Installer%20corrupted&OVKEY=window%20installer&OVMTC=advanced

Something here has to help!

Answer 5

You know - in the past couple days I have noticed similar behavior on my laptop. My IT dept thinks and is checking my system for memory exhaust - possibly I have used all the memory and the system knows no other way to tell me it is confused. Just a thought - have your memory checked.

Answer 6

to me this sounds like you are experiencing a hardware fault on the computer I would say its possibel that your computer is strugeling to do what you have asked it so it could be low on both physical and virtual memory. try doing a cleanup and adding more memory and see if that helps

Answer 7

what is the blue screen error that you are recieving that would be helpful.. mightn now be a virus may be two much stuff on the computer

Answer 8

go to grisoft.com and down load avg