Possible Virus? Strange Slowdowns & Sudden Shutdowns - Windows 7

I've had Windows 7 for probably 2 or so years now. I've experienced some weird slowdowns and sudden shutdowns on my computer. For reference, I use Avast, Microsoft Essentials and Norton Antivirus to detect any malware or Trojans on my computer... but when I search for something I find nothing.

My computer has these strange slowdowns... at least I think that's the best way to describe them. They're quick and seem to come in intervals. It affects video and audio; I can't watch or listen to anything without this phenomenon happening. It never lasts more than a second but it makes video freeze and it makes audio glitch -- I have to deal with sharp, loud pauses of the audio while listening or watching anything. It seems like they're set in either 5 minute or 10 minute intervals.

Another problem is a sudden shutdown. For whatever reason, some websites seem to have trouble loading properly. Sometimes they load quickly, other times they only load partially and end up giving me a 404 error. I have to refresh the page sometimes 3 or 4 times to try and load things properly. I haven't picked up any pattern in the websites that cause this odd problem. From what I can tell, after a certain amount of refreshes on these websites, my computer suddenly shuts down -- as in, the screen goes black, I get a quick glimpse of a blue screen and then the computer boots up as if I restarted it. Sometimes, the computer takes forever to boot up after one of these incidents and I have to manually shut the computer down and try to restart it.

I have no idea what's wrong with my computer. I assume it's something like deeply embedded malware or maybe even a virus... Before I got this new computer with Windows 7, I had a computer with Windows XP for about 10 years; my hard drive's memory and files were eaten away by some stubborn virus which had embedded itself into my System32 folder. I have no idea if anyone else has ever experienced these problems and if it's even a case of malware or a virus.

You seem to have multiple issues:
- You shouldn't run couple of Antivirus software simultaneously. Pick one of those and uninstall the other two.
- Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free (you can start the trial for premium, it is easy to switch to free after two weeks) and run a scan
- Download HWInfo and run with sensors (asks after starting), check the temperatures.
- The blue screen is called a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). Start a new thread in BSOD section and supply what's been asked. (read the sticky)
- run in cmd: sfc /scannow
- perform a clean startup and see if you have issues Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup
- go into BIOS and disable C1E, if that doesn't help with slowdowns, try disabling Intel SpeedStep (IEST).

Well Anti virus does not mean that you can get infected! Its very easy to make a virus without anti virus even noticing it! So you always have to make sure the file you are opening is safe, And also download CCleaner and clean your computer and also uncheck unnecessary files from startup (its inside CCleaner options)
Its better to remove your AntiVirus and just use your windows defender

I don't believe "just" Windows Defender is enough, that's bad advice. You should have something like 1 active AV and something like MBAM (free or premium). Check the System Security section of the forums for further information and recommendations.

GokAy said:

I don't believe "just" Windows Defender is enough, that's bad advice. You should have something like 1 active AV and something like MBAM (free or premium). Check the System Security section of the forums for further information and recommendations.

Well ill make a virus and run it on your computer and lets see if your updated Antivirus can catch it, They only way you wont be infected if to make sure the file is not infected before running it, I analyse files using Sandboxie + BSA and Phrozen File Monitor and i dont use AntiVirus and its more than 4years im using windows, If i decided to use AntiVirus i will use Malwarebytes

madfa said:

GokAy said:

I don't believe "just" Windows Defender is enough, that's bad advice. You should have something like 1 active AV and something like MBAM (free or premium). Check the System Security section of the forums for further information and recommendations.

Well ill make a virus and run it on your computer and lets see if your updated Antivirus can catch it, They only way you wont be infected if to make sure the file is not infected before running it, I analyse files using Sandboxie + BSA and Phrozen File Monitor and i dont use AntiVirus and its more than 4years im using windows, If i decided to use AntiVirus i will use Malwarebytes

Cars can break down - so you should walk everywhere.

Just because an antivirus tool misses some stuff does not mean that you should avoid using them to catch what they can catch. It is impractical to expect every computer user to use their computer the way that you described (e.g. Sandboxie + BSA and Phrozen File Monitor).

I understand that it is a tradeoff. I understand that antivirus tools can slow computers down. That is why there is so much debate on which ones provide the best protection with the least impact on the computer. If you want to advocate for using no antivirus tool, then this thread What's the Best Anti-virus? is a good place for such discussions.

Layback Bear said:

madfa said:

GokAy said:

I don't believe "just" Windows Defender is enough, that's bad advice. You should have something like 1 active AV and something like MBAM (free or premium). Check the System Security section of the forums for further information and recommendations.

Well ill make a virus and run it on your computer and lets see if your updated Antivirus can catch it, They only way you wont be infected if to make sure the file is not infected before running it, I analyse files using Sandboxie + BSA and Phrozen File Monitor and i dont use AntiVirus and its more than 4years im using windows, If i decided to use AntiVirus i will use Malwarebytes

With a little research you will find that Sandboxie has also been hacked.
No security program is 100%. If their was we would all be using it.

In my opinion if one doesn't use a Anti Virus program the are foolish.

The bad guys create thousands of bad things every day. I know I'm not smart enough to keep up with it so I do use MSE and Malwarebytes Premium. So far so good. When need be I do run some other security on demand programs.

Of course if someone own the computer they can use what ever programs they prefer.

Im not saying that if someone uses AV is a foolish

the reasons i dont use AV
- Makes computer slow
- Some users when they install AV they think they are protected and they run anything because they think their AV can catch it!

Its simple to make a virus undetected download crypter crypt your virus done! That simple
Im virus expert and researcher its my job

MSE and Malwarebytes Premium are good, But virus can be inside .doc .pdf .zip or anything else if there is exploit for that and there is.

So the best way to protect your self is not to trust every link on internet or if you do and you are not sure
scan the file online https://www.virustotal.com/

Using MSE or a slightly more aggressive AV like Panda Cloud does not slow down any modern PC.

If it isn't enough protection add Malwarebytes Real Time and no one I help has ever gotten infected again.

Win7 should be instantaneous and never hang on adequate hardware providing it has a perfect install such as the one compiled in Clean Reinstall Windows 7. No one of the 1.5 million who have used it have ever come back with a single complaint. They have the best installs of Win7 in the world today.