Laptop Audio quite choppy, itunes, winamp, youtube, streaming etc.

[rendezvous977]

All sorts of audio on my laptop plays really choppily, at first it was mainly happening only when I had Internet Explorer windows open, so I switched to opera to try it out which helped a bit but I'm still having problems.  I think I should be fine in the RAM department, and my CPU is performing fine, not overworked or anything.  This will happen even if I only have a program or 2 open.  Could this be a virus?


 Also, every once in a while, a blank window will pop up on my computer saying downloading updates, regardless of what programs I'm running,  but it doesn't say what it is for or anything, I've attached a picture of what it looks like.  Any help is greatly appreciated, I want to get back into producing music on my computer but I sure can't with this situation!

- Matt

[saving space - attachment deleted by admin]

[Broni]

Let's check it out...

1. Run free online scan at: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
The Housecall log is saved to C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\.housecall\log\
Post HouseCall log.

2. Download and scan with SUPERAntiSpyware Free for Home Users:
http://www.superantispyware.com/

Print these instructions out.

SUPERAntiSpyware should be run in Safe Mode.
To enter Safe Mode, restart computer, and keep tapping F8 key, until menu appears; pick Safe Mode; you'll see "Safe Mode" in all four corners of your screen

    * Double-click SUPERAntiSpyware.exe and use the default settings for installation.
    * An icon will be created on your desktop. Double-click that icon to launch the program.
    * If asked to update the program definitions, click "Yes". If not, update the definitions before scanning by selecting "Check for Updates". (If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download and unzip them from here: http://www.superantispyware.com/definitions.html.)
    * Under "Configuration and Preferences", click the Preferences button.
    * Click the Scanning Control tab.
    * Under Scanner Options make sure the following are checked (leave all others unchecked):
          o Close browsers before scanning.
          o Scan for tracking cookies.
          o Terminate memory threats before quarantining.
    * Click the "Close" button to leave the control center screen.
    * Back on the main screen, under "Scan for Harmful Software" click Scan your computer.
    * On the left, make sure you check C:\Fixed Drive.
    * On the right, under "Complete Scan", choose Perform Complete Scan.
    * Click "Next" to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.
    * After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click "OK".
    * Make sure everything has a checkmark next to it and click "Next".
    * A notification will appear that "Quarantine and Removal is Complete". Click "OK" and then click the "Finish" button to return to the main menu.
    * If asked if you want to reboot, click "Yes".
    * To retrieve the removal information after reboot, launch SUPERAntispyware again.
          o Click Preferences, then click the Statistics/Logs tab.
          o Under Scanner Logs, double-click SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log.
          o If there are several logs, click the current dated log and press View log. A text file will open in your default text editor.
          o Please copy and paste the Scan Log results in your next reply with a new HijackThis log.
    * Click Close to exit the program.
Post SUPERAntiSpyware log.

3. Download HijackThis:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hijackthis.html
Post HijackThis log.