Q I received a new Gateway Windows 7 computer for Christmas and, after surfing the Internet, I almost immediately began having a problem: The mouse pointer wouldn't keep up with moving the mouse. I also noticed that the PC's clock time would slow down and ultimately stop working.
If I shut down the computer and restarted it, it would work fine for a while, and then the problem would resume. Then I got a blue screen with a warning that my PC might be damaged; the PC shut down and restarted on its own. What should I do?
TODD HUEHN, BLAINE
A This sounds like malicious software at work. If you don't have anti-virus software, download the free Microsoft Security Essentials program at tinyurl.com/kwsxcu and run a scan of your PC. In addition, download Malwarebytes, a tool for removing malicious software, at www.malwarebytes.org, and run a scan.
If those programs don't solve the problem, try adjusting the mouse pointer. Go to Start and Control Panel, then click the "Mouse" icon. Click the "pointer options" tab. Under "select a pointer speed," move the slider toward fast. Any improvement in pointer motion should be instant.
If that doesn't work, try Windows System Restore to return your PC settings to their original condition. Go to Start and Control Panel, then click on the "Recovery" icon and select "Open system restore." Follow the menu and you'll be given a choice of dates, or restore points. Click on one that predates your problems. Then click Next, and the program will restore your PC settings to what they were on that date. (You will need to reinstall the Security Essentials and Malwarebytes programs, which will be erased.)
If none of these things works, you're still fortunate to be within your PC's warranty period. Contact your computer seller or manufacturer about making a claim for PC hardware defects.
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