How do i get rid of a virus on my laptop?

[Katie]

When i first got it it had anti virus softwear installed but i didnt realise it was just a free trial for 6 months. I recently recieved a message from a close friend on facebook + when i opened it the screen went blank + took around 10 minutes to come back on. I later found out the friends computer had a been hacked. Now my laptop is mega slow, it keeps freezing + random files keep appearing in the documents bit (i havent touched these)

[CowboysFAN]

reset

[Bridget199029]

try avg its a good free anti virus or if you are able to buy it get mcafee

[Simply RED]

Run these two in safe mode with networking:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download...irus/rkill
http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free

[Adam]

Technically... If the anti virus trail ran put, Windows Security Centre should alert you of this. With a little "your computer might be at risk" bubble on the taskbar. But the software obviously didnt change that in the registry.
Anyway, i think you best option is to reset the computer to factory setup, or to reinstall windows completely.
If you have a DELL.. You would either already have an OEM reinstallation disk. If not, discontinue use of the laptop and call them and ask them to send you a copy of the reinstallation disk for the correct version of windows that you have.
If you have any other computer company or dell wont give you a disk then do this:

Windows 7: Open Backup and Restore by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Backup and Restore.

In the left pane, click Create a system repair disc, and then follow the steps.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

It'll probably then ask you to insert either a blank cd or dvd into the disc drive so it can burn the files.

To use the disk you must leave it in the drive and restart the computer... Then it'll either automatically detect it or you will have to open the BIOS boot menu with keys like F12, del, F11 etc... Or whatever key it tell you in the boot up... If you miss pressing the key, just restart and try again. Once you access the menu you will need to change the cd/dvd drive to priority 1 boot. Save the changes, exit the boot menu and the computer will restart into the reinstallation disk... Follow the prompts.

[Harley Drive]

no need to reset or re-install , simply red has the right answer then download avira, avast or comodo, AVG is not as good - it USED to be the best

[Pall Mall]

kaspersky virus removal tool - is free
tdss killer - is free or sophos anti root kit
what protection you had you need to remove it to install something else --- google your old program for free removal tool
install avast free home , reg to get 1 yr free . install malwarebytes free ( scans only in free but cures alot ) install zone alarm firewall or outpost or online armor---------- all are free
when you scan with kaspersky let it clean or quarantine what it finds
tdss is a rootkit killer as sophos

[Don]

start computer and tap the F8 key repeatedly until the option screen appears then chose safe mode with networking then open browser and go to safety.live.com this is microsoft's online virus scanner it will scan and remove the intruder for free...or go to malwarebytes.org and download their free scanner...if you know the name of the virus manual removal instructions can be found at bleepingcomputer.com or precisesecurity.com...you can use another computer to download a free recovery tool from Avira.com set your bio's to boot from dvd/cd player then scan your system before it boots up

[joel750]

Abandon that Operating system that came in stock w/ your laptop and migrate to using a Linux OS. Linux is free of charge to download,virtually virus-PROOF and it is being used by a ton of different Government entities out there Including The United States Armed Forces from all across the board and our very own NASA for their Space Shuttles. Please go to this site for additional FAQ's and additional Information: http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net After you used Linux, this would be the last day you will ever worry on having ANY computer crap...EVER AGAIN! Guaranteed!!!