text: how can you tell if you have a virus? how can you fix it? my computer is going really slow. i run both the disk cleanup, and disk defragmenter all the time. when i click on the desktop shortcuts, it takes forever for them to load. i sometimes have to click on it again to "remind" the computer of what it's supposed to be doing. help! it could be many things  i would clear you're cookies and temp files this can be done buy  right click on internet icon on desktop  internet property's  click on delete cookies  click on delete files ============================================= =============================================  go to http://www.download.com  get free ad-aware and spy bot search and destroy  to get rid of those hidden cookies/files on you're computer  ============================================= =============================================  buy virus protection (free versions no not always work the best)  examp: mcafee or norton ============================================= =============================================  1.should help to sort out you're problem also check to see what programs are running in you're task bar that could be slowing down you're computer  2.how much space do you have on you're hard drive if it is getting too full it will slow down you're computer  3. how long has this been going on check with you're isp (internet service provider) to see if there is a problem  follow those steps it should help  ((=hope all works out=))