this program is not responding

[linda]

I am having difficulty opening programs from my desktop
icons and am unable to close the windows. It always tells
me that this program is not responding.It is also taking
a long time for programs to open.Tried scanning for
viruses, no luck.Help please.

 

[MGGP]

Linda -
1) Have you done all of the Windows Critical Updates ?
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
2) Do you have your Internet Connection Firewall
activated ? (Search Help & Support)
3) Do you have anti-spyware software on your computer (you
have to USE it too). You should get anti-spyware software
(SpyBot AND Adaware) and use them regularly (both have
free versions). And keep them updated !

http://www.safer-networking.org/
www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Anti-virus programs (mostly) don't look for spyware . . .

4) Have you looked in your Startup Folder to see if
there's anything there that might be causing the problem ?
5) Have you used MSCONFIG to see if there's anything on
the Startup tab that might be causing the problem ?
http://netsquirrel.com/msconfig/
6) Have you recently changed anything on your computer ?
If so, you might try changing it back.
7) Have you used the Event Viewer to try to get a clue ?
(Search Help & Support)

Also look here:
THE PARASITE FIGHT QUICK FIX PROTOCOL
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive
software
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-
US;827315#appliesto

Spyware and Deceptive Software
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spyware.mspx?
gssnb=1

What you should know about spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/articles/spyware.asp

Good Luck !