Before you try to answer my question...
First, if you are going to say I have a virus then don't even bother with this topic
Second, if you are going to tell me to download "x program" from "x website" then don't bother with this topic.
Third, if you are going to say "LOL WINDOWS SUCKS, USE A MAC n00b!" Then don't bother with this topic. I want to FIX my problem, not hear about how your laptop with a half-eaten apple printed on the side is so powerful and fast you could take over Russia with it.
Okay, so I got my laptop in Sept 2011 (specs below). Today's date is March 3, 2012. In between now and when I first got my laptop, I have experienced this problem twice (and a few minor times that weren't as bad). What will happen, is I boot up my laptop one night and it runs PERFECTLY - super fast, smooth, and quiet (it doesn't make a bunch of "loading" sounds). The very next day, I will boot up my laptop, and (for no logical reasoning) it takes FOREVER to boot up; then once it boots up it lags (typing lags, frame rates lag, etc.) and it sounds like it's trying to have a baby (loud "loading noises", etc.). This "slow-mode" will go on for a random period, then eventually speed up again. Since everything is so random, it's hard to determine what's going on. A good way to describe my slow-mode is that my laptop acts like someone took out ALL my RAM and it's trying to move along but doesn't have the sufficient memory to do anything.
I don't look up porn, I don't download anything w/o scanning it for viruses - in fact, all I use my laptop for is youtube, netflix, facebook, SECURE videogames (Steam games and other SAFE games like minecraft, League of Legends, etc.), and an assortment of other safe programs (guitar pro, visual studios c++, itunes, etc.). I am very safe with my computer and always am on the lookout for what bugs could possibly get inside, and I always make sure Webroot as a "check mark" beside sites before I go to them.
A few things I've tried so far
- Virus scan with WEBROOT, found 0 infections
- Disk cleanup
- Disk defragmenter
- an assortment of other "memory" cleanups
Some of these I'm doing as I am typing this out so it may solve the problem, but your answers and help will be highly appreciated.
One last thing - my free Webroot antivirus trial ends soon. Should I (a) completely uninstall Webroot and download/install the free version of Avast! or (b) go ahead and purchase the full subscription to Webroot for $20-$30? In other words, paid-for version of Webroot VS. free version of Avast!.
My Computer
Toshiba Satellite P755
600 GB hard-drive w/ 580 GB available at purchase
Intel Core i3-2310M CPU @ 2.10 GHz
6 GB DDR3 RAM
Intel HD Graphics Family 1696 MB
64-bit OS
THANKYOU FOR YOUR HELP!!