A question for the computer experts:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

Last night, my computer was running VERY slowly, even more slowly than usual.

It has been a while since I'd done a search/scan for computer viruses, so I decided to do a couple...

After all was said and done, the machine ran much more quickly.....really normally.

Here's the weird part, the part I don't get:

Neither scan found anything.

The scans never find anything, but the computer always runs better after I do one.

Why is that?

[opiate69]

1. depending on the virus scanning software:

It might be doing a registry clean-up and/or disk cleaning at the same time

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Thank you, my dear opiate69!

I don't know if either of these does that.

I ran the Spybot Search and Destroy, and the Cyber Defender.

It certainly was a relief.

[opiate69]

3. You're quite welcome, Peggy! Anything for you!

[johnd83]

4. Most antivirus programs are unfortunately completely useless

You really need to run a few different ones because they don't all detect the same viruses. I have found that the free Windows one isn't bad, although it isn't capable of finding all the viruses. Don't even bother with CA if that is what you have.

[cynatnite]

5. Sometimes I feel better after going to the doctor even though they don't find anything wrong...

Maybe it's all in your computer's head.

[HopeHoops]

6. It's a dirty trick they pull on you when they feel lonely and unwanted.