Is this a virus?

[Saru Inc]

Hey guys... So m computer has slowly been getting slower and slower. Now it's basically grinding to a hault. Runescape is disconnecting every 1-5 minutes, Hulu is crashing, youtube is crashing, netflix is laggy as hell, itunes bogs down the entire computer. The only thing that can explain this is a virus... But how would I get one? I don't download really anything that's not safe, I don't go to porn sites so I know there can't be any from there, a couple times I'd google something, and click on the link only to have a "beware! This site has malware" in which I immediately x-out.

 

I have run virus scanners from Avira, Avast!, Mcafee, and tried a Malwarebytes thing my brother suggested. I simply cannot find any viruses. I just wish this baby would run as fast as it use to, my heavist program on here is probably Portal, as my only games on the comp is portal, and Swiftkit, plus itunes with ~4 days of music. Is it true reformatting the comp will wipe it clean? If so how long would it take to reformat it? Because I can easily just store all my files/songs etc on the network with my family, but I got stuff I don't want them to see, so I'd have to do it in the middle of the night.

 

 

*I know some of you guys are wondering... The things I don't want my parents to see are some downloaded movies (downloaded legally from itunes) Milk, Kill Bill, etc. And my marilyn manson music (my parents are snoooooooopy)*

 

 

Anyways, does that not sound like a virus? I have 64 bit vista, and downgraded all the showy graphics (task bar, start menu etc) to windows classic settings, and i have 2 4gb micro usb's that are optimized and are stuck in the usb ports. I just wanna use this comp like I used to hah.

 

 

Thanks for your time :P

[Aiel]

how old is it?

[Saru Inc]

2009 studio 17 got it last june for 17th, 18th b day, xchristmas, and grad present all combined lol.

[PereGrin]

It sounds more like you have something sucking memory. Spyware maybe, or something of that sort. When you turn on the computer, open the task manager and go to processes. Watch the computer usage column to see what is hogging all of your processing power. Chances are something will be taking 85-95% of the computer. This program is what is slowing down your computer.

 

Don't end it! Research it online, see if you can find anything about it. Basically just google the process. It will have some name that ends it "[Caution: Executable File]" most likely. You might be able to find out what it does, and how to turn it off.

 

You could also try defragmenting it, which basically orders everything on the hardrive (read: slowest part of a computer) so that it doesn't have to spin as far. Defragmenting does not erase any data but it will probably take about 5 hours. So just leave it run all night.

 

Some other things to check first are how much space you have on your hardrive. Anything beyond about 80% full will start to slow it down noticeably.

 

If you have a laptop, check overheating. Your vents may be clogged with dust and lint, and this can limit airflow that will cool the computer off. Try proping it up in the back by letting the back edge rest on a book. I use the encyclopedia Q-R personally, but anything about an inch high will work.

 

Desktop computers can overheat also, to help with that, take the cover off one of the sides, and use an air blower or something to blow all the dust off. Vacuums do not work as well, so I would advise doing this outside, unless you don't mind a huge dustcloud in your living space.

 

I'm not sure what your computer habits are, but I can tell you that listening to itunes while playing rs and browsing the web is going to slow down all but the best of the computers. Only do one of these at a time. iTunes is also a memory hog, so running it with a web browser (another memory hog) is a recipie for diaster (well this is an rs related forum after all).

[Saru Inc]

Thanks! And no, I only run itunes to sync my ipod (I have an ihome right next to my comp)

 

 

I never thought of checking the processes, I'll go check it out!

[PereGrin]

Thanks! And no, I only run itunes to sync my ipod (I have an ihome right next to my comp)

 

 

I never thought of checking the processes, I'll go check it out!

 

If you are running iTunes at the same time as a web browser, its gonna slow you down some. Just close iTunes it when you finish syncing.

 

EDIT: Just remembered, but if you have your iPod set up to autosync to iTunes, then while your iPod is plugged into your computer, your computer will monitor it and constantly check to make sure your iPod is all synced up. This absolutely murders computing power. Disconnect your iPod from your computer if you are not syncing it.

[howbadisbad]

Google glary utilities.

 

Works wonders

[Saru Inc]

ok I just checked processes... Everything is normal... And then I decided to clean temp files really quick... Guess how much it cleaned?

 

 

9,456mb worth of temp files. Yep.

 

Wtf? I clean temp files like once a week, ususally it cleans off like 200 at a time, I guess its cuz I just started up the comp? idk I'm gonna try out rs etc. If it works I'll just ask a mod to lock this. This is embarrasing LMAO

 

 

edit: I use cCleaner btw, its what my dad uses as well so I just use it.

[Saru Inc]

Ok well, Runescape definitely stopped dc'ing 24/7. I still don't understand how I had that many hidden ones.

[PereGrin]

the temp files and cookies on your computer are downloaded from internet sites. Usually they allow the sites to run faster because alot of the stuff that you do on those sites is saved on your computer. Things like passwords, usernames, and stuff like that. Alot of cookies that advertising sites use track your internet usage, so they can determine what they should try to sell you. It is these kind of files and whatnot that really bog down computers. So yeah, it is a good idea to delete them once a week. Glad to hear you got it running well again :D

 

On a side note, Runescape has been having some server issues. The servers themselves are lagging, or so it seems. So rs constanly dc'ing my not have been entirely on your end.