I'm not sure what is going on, virus, malware etc etc

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64

Ok So I thought I had a virus because my computer started running slow and programs started to not respond often. So I go to run my Avast, Malwarebytes, and AdAware and they are all turned off. So I said ok I'll just start in safe mode and run these. So each one found something different and I thought I was all good. Now what happens is that when I leave my browser (Firefox) on for any amount of time without using it, my computer runs SUPER slow and most programs won't even respond. I downloaded HouseCall from TrendMicro to see if it could find anything and it says my computer is clean. The funny with running any of these is that they never finish (the anti virus programs) unless I am running in safe mode. Anyone have any ideas? I can furnish more info if needed.

Also I made a back up of all my things but I got to thinking if there is something wrong won't that back up the virus or whatever it is also?

Another thing I forgot to add was that when I try a search from my home page (Yahoo) it returns the wrong websites. Say I put in Windows 7 forums. The next page would be a list of websites but when I click on one of those sites it either takes me some other type of search engine or some type of sales site. This doesn't happen when I use Internet Explorer. I have uninstalled Firefox and re installed it and it does the same thing. If I type the address directly into the address bar there are no problems though.

This is really starting to frustrate me, I'm on the verge of reformatting and hitting it with dban.

So what about my backup I have saved. Do you think that is compromised also.

Aintrite said:

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64

Ok So I thought I had a virus because my computer started running slow and programs started to not respond often. So I go to run my Avast, Malwarebytes, and AdAware and they are all turned off. So I said ok I'll just start in safe mode and run these. So each one found something different and I thought I was all good. Now what happens is that when I leave my browser (Firefox) on for any amount of time without using it, my computer runs SUPER slow and most programs won't even respond. I downloaded HouseCall from TrendMicro to see if it could find anything and it says my computer is clean. The funny with running any of these is that they never finish (the anti virus programs) unless I am running in safe mode. Anyone have any ideas? I can furnish more info if needed.

Also I made a back up of all my things but I got to thinking if there is something wrong won't that back up the virus or whatever it is also?

Another thing I forgot to add was that when I try a search from my home page (Yahoo) it returns the wrong websites. Say I put in Windows 7 forums. The next page would be a list of websites but when I click on one of those sites it either takes me some other type of search engine or some type of sales site. This doesn't happen when I use Internet Explorer. I have uninstalled Firefox and re installed it and it does the same thing. If I type the address directly into the address bar there are no problems though.

This is really starting to frustrate me, I'm on the verge of reformatting and hitting it with dban.

1- Avast and Adaware maybe conflicting, so get rid of adaware or avast.
2-SAS and Malwarebytes should be on demand free versions only, or they maybe conflicting also.
3-Add Sandboxie to whatever A/V you want and worry no more

I have an external hard drive that I use for my backup.

wanchoo said:

If the back-up probably an image, was prepared after the trouble started then it is in all likelihood also infected.

Incidentally Avast and Adware perform separate and mutually exclusive functions and are never in conflict.

Why fool around just to check up. Go ahead clean install.

Aintrite said:

So what about my backup I have saved. Do you think that is compromised also.

Avast and Ad-Aware are both A/Vs performing the same tasks. Which means if they are not conflicting now, they will eventually.

So, do you guys think that my external hard drive backup will be infected also? The reason I ask is that i have a bunch of semi important things that i need on this backup.

Thanks for all of the help guys. I went ahead and reformatted but before I did that I hit my internal drive with DBAN so as to wipe the drive totally clean. I put the rest of my files and such on a usb drive and cleaned my external drive with DBAN also. I think I'll stick around the site and learn some things about 7 too.

Thanks again.