*Remember, needs to be boot-time scan if at all possible. Many malicious programs and such do not start working until the pc starts up. By scanning before this happens OR via a safe mode scan you're able to see it "dormant". Do the safe mode scan if boot-time is not offered via your anti-virus program because only a few very complex viruses and such can even run in safe mode - not many can so by running a boot-time or safe-mode scan your anti-virus can properly identify the virus and stop/remove it properly since it never "started up" per say i.e. the virus didn't have time to start and mask itself as something else.
Edit:
- Click Start
- In Search Box type "msconfig"
- Now a new window comes up "System Configuration" w/ some tabs
- Click on "Boot" tab
- Under "Boot Options" in the Boot Tab click on "Safe Boot" then select "Minimal"
- Click Apply
- Restart if prompted else close the dialog box and now restart.
^ When the pc restarts its now in safe mode, bring up your anti-virus and run a scan - some anti-virus programs will not work in safe mode where as many have the DOS style black box only in safe mode.