when i start up my computer it usually takes 10-15 min before i can actually use it. Im not sure if i have a virus on my computer or spyware or something else. any help would be very nice.
Hello chicnhawk01 and welcome,
You could try online scanners. Use google to search for online virus scanners and online spyware scanners. There are quite a few!
A site that lists some
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Scanners.htm
A very good place to seek advice (and get remedies) : http://forum.aumha.org/
Hope this helps.
It may have something to do with how you maintain your computer as well, chicn. Once you're reasonably sure that viruses/malware aren't an issue try a good disk defragmenter and a register cleaner.
Such a long startup time is normally indicative of malware if you don't actually have tons of programs starting up. The first thing to do is to stop all startup programs and see what happens.
Secondly, clearing out the accumulated software crud also helps greatly. Please see COMPUTER HEALTH: Getting greater stability from Windows (http://aumha.org/a/health.htm); particularly step 4 on Taking Out the Trash.
If the problem continues then seek help as Minoka suggests.
As far as checking for viruses you can try symantec's free online scanner. It may ask you to install a Active X plug-in before it will scan you, this is normal.:
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?productid=symhome&langid=ie&venid=sym
 Get Smart About Monitoring Virtual Machines
 Microsoft Gets Ex-Streamly Cozy with U.K.'s MediaWave
|
not sure whats wrong with my computer