Slow, melting screen...HELP!!

[Guest]

I log into my laptop, and if I have an application open it will sometimes
begin closing on its own. When it does, it kind of "peels" sections to reveal
the background behind it. The computer runs really slowly when loading
information, sometimes when I double click on an application it doesn't even
recognize the request. Also, if I leave the computer sit for two-three
minutes untouched, the computer seems to shut itself off. I have to hit the
power button to access the login window again. I have tried running Norton
Internet Security, Webroot Spy sweeper, Windows Washer, Disk Defrag, 1-click
tune up and nothing seems to work. Any help you can give would be awesome!

 

[Guest]

i would do the following:
1) disable startups, as there may be a program launching upon startup that
is giving the problem. go to start>run>msconfig>startup tab>diasable all,
reboot
2)download windows defender from microsoft.com
3)download spyware terminator from spywareterminator.com if you download
clam antivirus it will become an addin to spywareterminator.....

 

[Brad]

Yikes, sounds like it could be a computer virus. What can happen is the
virus hides itself as a program module of Norton Internet Security, once
that happens? its over.

The best thing that I can suggest? buy a new laptop disk drive, they are
cheap. Its very easy to replace them on most laptops, there is some screw
on the bottom, the disk is attached to some mounting bracket so it can be
installed/removed easily, put that on the table and replace the disk drive.
put the blank disk into the laptop.

Now install windows and get the Microsoft anti virus program, and whichever
other programs like Norton internet security. after those are all
installed, then connect to the network.

Usually winXP wants to activate by internet? well IMO dont get online
until all the antivirus stuff is setup. after thats done, then activate.

Then, get an external IDE adapter to USB and the mini disk connector adapter
so the disk you took out of the laptop can be put into the external adapter
thing. once your laptop has windows installed fresh, antivirus software,
goto windows Update, install those, reboot a couple times as it asks,
etc..... once your ready to use the laptop, connect up that old disk and
you can look for files and run antivirus on them then transfer them back to
your laptop.

lots of work, but this is the damage that virus/malware causes

once the virus/malware has bypassed the Nortons? there is almost nothing you
can do to trust that disk without taking it out of the system and doing all
this work to it. if there is a program to fix the disk in place? please let
me know.

besides, laptop disk drives wear out faster, or at least thats what my
laptops seem to do, one year of heavy use? thats it.