Dang...that sucks.

How does RAM get a virus/trojan/other problem? O_o

It's not a virus nor software problem, it's a hardware problem.

To update my computer, I will have to format it.

Ahhh...that makes more sense. My bad!

i hope it's not too late shim! but you don't have to format your computer for a RAM problem
Besides i doubt it is realy a hardware problem because if it was: you would hear a long "bip" or a series of "bips" noises at the starting of the computer clearly meaning that there IS a hardware problem , with a hardware problem you wouldn't even be able to reach the desktop because you would get a restarting loop or a blue screen of death

the lags you are experiencing can be caused by a LOT of things mostly by lack of deep and proper cleaning and running an anti-virus only is the least you can do there are plenty of sotwares to run to clean your computer from any weight caused by unwanted, heavy and malfunctonning softwares

i recommand you to download instal and run these softwares below, even if you already have formated it's still good to have them , spyboat search and destroy will provides you a residual protectiong working like a addon for your firewall



You may be tempted to instal everything at once and Then restart only one time... WRONG! Restart Everytime it is asked! or you will face a lot of conflicts between your softwares

Avast-antivirus (i don't know what anti-virus you are using but i HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY!!! recommand you to use avast! it's light , extremly efficient and offer the best protection even if it is free it offer better protection than many many valuable anti-viruses)
http://www.avast.com/en-eu/free-antivirus-download
_You will have to uninstal your current anti-virus first and restart your computer, then after that, you will be able to instal avast properly and restart your computer again

Spyboat search and destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
_once installed Spybot will ask you to restart your computer
=> Spyboat during it's installation will propose you it's residual protection now you SHOULD accept it because it's light , efficient and a good protection for any kind of worm(trojan)


Add-aware
http://www.lavasoft.com/
_once installed add-aware will ask you to restart your computer
=>Add-aware during it's installation will propose you it's residual protection i suggest you to NOT accept the residual protectiong because it is heavy and laggy


Malewarebytes
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebyt.....amp;tag=button
_Will not ask you to restart your computer
=> Malewarebytes during it's installation will ask you if you want to try-out it's events protection i suggest you to NOT accept it , because it lastes only one day and you will get an error message at every restarting of your computer if you allow it (error easily removable)

RegCleaner
http://regcleaner.en.softonic.com/
_I don't remember if it asks you to restart the computer or not
=> RegCleaner is a MUST-HAVE because everytime you install something it will generate a key in your register BUT when you uninstal something the key remains in your register and fills it with unecessary datas that might slowdown your computer






I also notice that you only have 1GB of RAM for a windows 7 OS which is very low , it's actually Half of what is needed to properly run windows 7 32bits, now of course windows seven can work with 512 Mb of RAM... but all you will do is text and blank navigation
If you have windows 7 32bits i suggest you 2 GB of RAM(DDR3) , if you have windows 7 64 bits i recommand you at least 4 GB of RAM (DDR3)

With that you will be able to watch videos online , use softwares like photoshop ,play games etc...
If you don't know what kind of windows 7 you have just go to START/Execute/ type winver and press enter
Now you will be able to see your windows 7 license like this
http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/...../forshimra.png

If nothing is writen it is 32 bits , if it is 64bits it will be noticed


Sorry for the lenght of the post but i will try to make it simple

If you have already formated you computer
1) uninstal your current anti-virus and instal AVAST ANTI-VIRUS and RUN the boot-scan(it's automatic)
2) instal spyboat search and destroy and ACCEPT it's residual protection
3) Instal malewarebytes and RUN THE SCAN it's important! even if you have formated a computer infected by a rootkit it will remain in your computer. Rootkits are pain in the ass


If you didn't format yet then Download , instal, and run EVERYTHING listed
I am not a professional but i have a lot of experience , i owned a computer for 6 straight years without changing any material but the graphic card for recent games
an intel quade core with 2GB RAM and windows xp2=>3*
My RAMs 2x 1GB DD3 are 6 years old i met countless problems and never formated my computer even after vicious infection by rootkits but if i start talking about the problems i met on my computer that will make this post easily 10 times longer


Speaking of formating your computer... if you realy wish to format it... be sure to download your motherboard's drivers Lan, Audio, video and a fourth which i forgot the same...
To do that , open your computer and look for a reference code in your motherboard it will look like this
ASUS-175GT5 (it's a random reference aries will be worried if i open her computer)

With that go to the fabricant website and search for this reference the download is always free , if you format without the LAN driver you won't be able to go online


I wish you good luck ShimShim the Chimera
Oh also if you wish to buy a new RAM or material consult me through Aries because informaticians are RATS! they'll pump the maximum amount of money from you , so unless you are definitaly sure of what you are buying Don't go without a base-knowledge

for exemple... do you know what is the different between 1GB DD3 RAM and 1GB DDR3 RAM SDRAM?
Nothing... it's the exact same thing , just... people are used to call it RAM instead of RAM SDRAM
BUT 1GB SDRAM DDR3 Won't fit inside your computer if you use RAM... RAM and RAM-SDRAM are different It's confusing and they know it... if they see you're hesitating they will try to offer you something CRAPY like a" Over-clocked" RAM DDR2 cheaper but with better results than a expensiver DDR3 which is wrong of course... , so realy be carefull

You're a nice guy i don't want you to be tricked by rats seller

Thanks for all the help, Mika. It's okay now. Don't need to worry.