is this a virus?

two behaviors that seem to indicate I have a virus.

  1. key command: Option-Tab (for window switching). I use it all the time and it always worked fine. Now, it works right when system boots but then stops working. When invoked, it kind of half flashes on screen but does not execute switch.

  2. quick launch hover. again, it works right when system boots but then stops working. upon hover, not thumbnail shown.

If you suspect malware, have you tried scanning with MBAM ?

MalwareBytes Anti-Malware 1.46 http://filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/
always update so you have latest database before you scan
click the remove selected button to quarantine anything found
you may post the scan log here

im scanning right now with avast, are you saying I should also scan with that?

i thought you were not supposed in have more than one scanner/antivirus in one OS

im scanning right now with avast, are you saying I should also scan with that?
yepp recomended
i thought you were not supposed in have more than one scanner/antivirus in one OS
that is true, but MBAM does not work as an AV program and is designed to work with AV programs ( the free version is only on demand scanning ) If you look at the signaturs you will see that most of the users in here is using it

weird, nothing was found by either program

Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware 1.46
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 4524

Windows 6.1.7600
Internet Explorer 8.0.7600.16385

9/1/2010 2:25:39 PM
mbam-log-2010-09-01 (14-25-39).txt

Scan type: Full scan (C:|)
Objects scanned: 396685
Time elapsed: 40 minute(s), 57 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

thanks for the help…it turned out it was a bad USB socket! now fixed

Your welcome. Glad we could help.