Can a virus be locking my PC?

Yes, it's entirely possible.

Try scans with these two programs in the following order:

Please disable other security software that may cause conflicts with the scans. (Don't forget to enable protection when you are finished!)

Instructions on how to do that are HERE.

Please download to your desktop Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from Here or Here 

Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.

• Make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
• If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select "Perform Quick Scan", then click Scan.
• The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Make sure that everything is checked
  Click Remove Selected.
• When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.(See Extra Note)
• The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.

Extra Notes:
If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process,if asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.
* If you are unable to download or install MBAM on your computer, see if you can use a friend's or family member's computer to download MBAM. Use this update link here to manually download the update. Once downloaded, rename the program installer "mbam-setup.exe" file to something else like "catchjunk.exe". Copy the installer file and the update file to a CD or flash drive. Transfer the file to the infected computer. Install the "catchjunk.exe" file, then run the update so that you will have the current definitions. After that, run a full system scan and select to have the program REMOVE whatever it finds.

Download and scan with Super Anti-Spyware Free for Home Users. It is available HERE:
*Double-click SUPERAntiSypware.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.)
* 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):

Close browsers before scanning.
Scan for tracking cookies.
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".

If that does not fix the problem, it might be good to post a log for review on the Malware Removal Forum.

Be sure to read instructions at the top of the forum.

Additional simple things you can try as well:

1) Clear your IE6 browser's cache according to the instructions here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/using/howto/customizing/clearcache.mspx

2) Manually disable third party (non-Microsoft) toolbars, add-ons, browser helper objects:
- Close all instances of Internet Explorer, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel.
- Double-click Internet Options.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- Under Browsing, uncheck the Enable third-party browser extensions(requires restart) check box.
- Restart Internet Explorer.
(These add-ons can be re-enabled later by re-checking that box).

I did exactly as you suggested (even followed joe53's ideas).  Thanks for the directions how to disable the other programs, though my systems vary somewhat from the exact descriptions; I could find what I needed thanks to the guide you provided.  As stated, I am really new at this and would have been totally lost without that help!  Malwarebytes' scan turned up nothing.  SuperAnti-Spyware found 125 adware objects to kick out.  Those are just cookies, aren't they?  As these 2 programs are now installed on my PC, will they coperate with the other programs (AdAware, AVG and SpyBot) ?  I won't end up with too many guard dogs in the yard and they start fighting with each other, will I???   Thanks again for providing detailed directions that a new-guy can follow.

If you are using the free versions of MBAM, Super Anti-Spyware, and Ad-aware, they won't conflict because they are not running in realtime and you will be updating and running them manually -- one at a time.  However, you may want to narrow it  down to two anti--spyware programs though. You'll need to keep your anti-virus, but I suggest keeping MBAM and just one of the others.  * Note: If you have enabled Spybot's TeaTimer, and any of the other security finds files or registry entries to remove, you will need to disable Teatimer first. That one WILL conflict because it prevents registry changes -- good in some cases, but not when you are trying to remove something. The same is true for Ad-aware's Ad-watch if you are usng that component.

dodge swinger:

Have you solved your IE "not responding " problem?

Edit: The reason I ask, is that if your problem is solved, and MBAM found no malware, and SAS found only cookies (which would not cause your problem) then your problem was not due to a virus or malware, but was caused by either too large a browser cache, or too many browser add-ons (BHOs, toolbars, and other browser extensions).

I always empty my IE cache (Temporary Internet Files, or TIF) automatically when exiting IE, to prevent the cache from growing too large:
- In Internet Explorer, click on Tools>Internet Options>Advanced tab
- Scroll down to the Security section, and check the box next to Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed.

In general, I recommend minimizing the number of IE browser add-ons, especially toolbars, to those you really find useful.

I know about the empty temp. internet files and do so regularly, I have no browser add-ons or extra toolbars (that I know of).  Other things came up and I haven't had much time to 'surf', tho' not finding anything would seem to lessen virus possibilities.  A tech from my cable company suggested there might be a problem with IE6 in my machine and recommended I go up to IE7.  Would you consider that a feasible action??  I have a 6yr. old Dell with XP Home, had only 256 RAM but I had another 'stick' put in to increase to 512.  Totally seperate subject, is there a place here to help with digital camera/PC problems?

dodge swinger:

Upon reviewing some of your posts, it appears you are using a 6 year old Dell Dimension 2200, which is definitely a low-end system, and XP Home.

You have yet to indicate, despite my specific request, whether or not your IE6 "not responding" problem has been resolved. If this is still a problem, I doubt that upgrading to IE7 will resolve this.

If the problem is in fact resolved, then the system requirements for IE7 are listed here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/sysreq.mspx

Sorry, I can't answer any of your digital camera questions.

deleted duplicate answer

No, the 'not responding' problem has not been resolved.  It is intermittent (sometimes things go smoothly, and sometimes I just have to give up; there have been a couple times I couldn't access this site).  I had been told IE7 might give more problems than solutions on this machine That's why I asked your opinion there.  I know I have a low end system in todays world, but that's the best I can afford!  I didn't mean I wanted to ask a camere issue of you, I know this is certainly the wrong forum, I just wondered if there was other forums that discussed that.

OK, thanks for that info. I could not answer your camera question because there is no board here dedicated to cameras in the Peripherals listing of forums. I only mentioned your PC model for the benefit of others who might be following this thread, as it might influence any help offered. There is nothing wrong with the 2200, and it certainly should support IE6.

As for your ongoing IE6 problem:

1) It is possible that you have a corrupt installation of IE6. You can try a repair using one of the methods listed here:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/repair_ie6.htm
Note that both methods require that your Windows XP installation CD be at hand.

2) Is it possible you have too many programs loading at startup, and running in the background for your PC? All that you really need to load at startup is your AV and your firewall, and possibly an anti-spyware (eg: Windows Defender, if you have it).

To check this, click on Start>Run... and type msconfig.exe next to Open: then the [OK] button. The System Configuration Utility will open. Click the Startup tab, and make a note of all the startup items listed. Don't uncheck anything yet.

3) Finally, are you up to date with all security updates from Microsoft, and specifically with patches for IE6?
The quickest way to check this is with an online scan from Secunia's Software Inspector:
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/

Thanks for your patience.

1.  This comp. was given to me by someone who completely upgraded and he was going to throw this away 'cause no one would give him anything for it.  I didn't get ANY installation discs with it, heck I didn't even get the cords to connect the speakers; had to scrounge them up in  electronics junk shop.  XP CD-ain't got it!

2.  Checked out startup comfig.: following item checked:  MSASCui--aol (I don't have this??)--qttask--avg tray--mm-tray--Reader-sl--Ixdapamon--Ixdapmon--Error repair tool (no idea what that is)--agwtray--WKdetect--CTFmon--Superantispyware--tea timer--Epson status mon (poss. for a long gone Epson printer??)--  I know some of the anti virus stuff but haven't the slightest idea of the rest.

3.  Tried to use Secunia's inspector, It said my Java applet wouldn't load in the browser??

Inheriting old PCs is always problematic, particularly when you don't get the operating system installation CD.

However, there is a lot in msconfig startup you can disable:

MSASCui is the Windows Defender user interface. Assuming you have Windows Defender installed I would leave this checked.

qttask is a Quicktime Player entry, and totally unnecessary to run at startup. Uncheck it.

avg tray is your AV- leave it checked.

mmtray- not needed, uncheck it.

reader-sl- not needed, uncheck it.

Ixdapamon- not needed, uncheck both entries.

agwtray- not needed, uncheck it.

WKdetect- not needed, uncheck it.

CTFmon- not needed, but even if you uncheck it, will likely re-insert itself in your startup.

Superantispyware- This antispyware program should only load at startup if you have purchased the paid version. If you have not, uncheck it.

tea timer- This is a component of Spybot S&D. Since you are having problems, I would uncheck it.
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Once you have unchecked all these entries in msconfig, you should click on the [Apply] button, and reboot your PC. You will receive a System Configuration Utility message that you have changed the way you startup. Just click [Ok].

I have more to offer, regarding Sun's Java Runtime, but will stop here. Let us know how it goes.

Oh God!  I think I just made a mess!  When I checked system startup comfig. and saw aol and Epson moni. I knew I didn't have them and unchecked them.  My computer had a fit!!!   Boxes came up telling me to put things back etc. and many boxes fm Spybot came up allow this--allow that, Window messinger appeared in the tray (I don't have that!)  What did I do?  The startup config. has twice as many things checked now, a lot of aol stuff?????  I'm on cable, oh good Lord!

I must be missing something or doing something horribly wrong, I can't get anything to stay unchecked; all I get is everything checked EVERYTHING!  The box that comes up tells me I have to undo all I tried to do and this thing checks EVERYTHING for 'normal' startup.  I'm so pitifully lost I had to tie my left arm down so I couldn't throw this thing out the window!  Now I have CHECKED:  MSASCui   avgtray   Error repair tool   AAWtray   Save   SSCRun   Real Play   Port AOL  mpf tray   qttask   mm-tray mmtask   Ixdpmon   Ixdpamon   Kazaa   AOL Software   aolsp scheduler   AOL Dial   aol   Reeader-sl   CTFmon   Tea Timer   Ypager   Superantispyware   msmsgs   Money Express WKDetect    AOL   AOL Companion    Epson Status moni   Microsoft works ca        That's twice as much as I had, and all that AOL stuff is useless, I have cable modem.  God help me get back out of this conundrum, I'm totally lost and don't know what I'm doing.

dodge swinger:

You have inherited a PC with who knows what installed on it.

The fact that the previous owner appears to have used Kazaa at some point is a warning; peer-to-peer programs such as Kazaa are notorious vectors for infection. It is possible that you could disinfect your system of possible malware, but you would still be left with a truckload of software you didn't install, do not want, with the potential to cause problems and conflicts in the future.

My best advice to you is to purchase your own copy of XP Home, reformat your hard drive, and install it. Be sure that Windows firewall is enabled before you connect to the internet.

Best of luck!