I think I may have a virus, but not computer savy.

[lolIMskinny]

Hey guys, I just recently started to look at my girlfriends lap top bc she had said it was progressively getting slower, from day to day. I went to start it up this morning and it would boot up into regular windows and I couldn't do anything from there, barely even open the start menu. I went to start it up in safe mode to defrag it, thinking that would do anything and it won't open it. So now I'm in safe mode with networking trying to find a solution for the problem. Could you guys help me out at all?

[hellnoire]

What makes you think she has a virus? Why can't it be a lot of @#$# on start up?

Run HijackThis and MBAM, allowing both to scan completely. Then attach or post their logs in your next post.

[grr]

What makes you think she has a virus? Why can't it be a lot of @#$# on start up?

I agree. we keep on installing so many stuffs without keeping in mind that dozens of applications would load at start-up.

Also i'm not clear what u were trying to do here:

I went to start it up in safe mode to defrag it, thinking that would do anything and it won't open it.

What opening?

[safeguy]

Scan with an antivirus (Avira, Avast, AVG, etc.) and antimalware/antispyware (Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware, Spybot Search & Destroy, Asquared, etc.) if you suspect it's due to those nasties...

If there are viruses or spyware that you can't remove using those tools, then you might want to use Hijackthis and post a log here for us to see...in worse case scenarios, you may need to use more 'brutal' methods...such as using Combofix etc...but I'm not an expert on that...you'll have to wait for evilfantasy (our malware removal expert) or a few others here to guide you along on that..

However, if there's nothing of that sort, then it may be due to a particular program causing startup problems...you can try using MSConfig to disable certain programs from starting up (go to start menu>run or the search box and type msconfig)...and then press enter...a windows will pop up - go to Startup tab and disable programs you think might be causing the problem (be careful with what you choose to disable)..

If that doesn't work, then perhaps try to restore the PC to an earlier working point using System Restore...

You may also want to try uninstalling unneeded programs...or perhaps use a registry cleaner to 'fix' certain issues (be careful with registry cleaners...the only one that I can suggest right now is CCleaner)

If all else fails, then perhaps you might need to reformat your PC...you may choose to go to your PC manufacturer and ask them to fix it up for you (if you still got warranty that is)...if not, you can try to reformat it on your own...if you don't have the Windows disc, then download it from somewhere (be careful where you choose to download it from, make sure it's a legit ISO...not a pirated/tampered one) and then burn it to a DVD...and yes, you'll need your license key to reinstall Windows...you may want to use a keyfinder program for that.

P.S. Hope this isn't confusing...if it is, then do things one at a time...don't rush through it..

[Redfox]

Try to check how much available space on her harddisk. Also, try to check his start up programs and remove unnecessary start up. Also try to clean up using ccleaner, and registry cleaner, advanced system care(optimize and remove junk files) and defrag it. After that restart his lapt0p.

[Bluedot]

"progressively slower day by day"? i had such a problem once which later turned out to be a virus which was creating large dummy files and reducing my hard disk space to as low as 10 KB. You should scan in safe mode with a good antivirus. Oh and please post your HijackThis log in here so that we can see what your problem exactly is.