First thing is to tell us which safety programs you have installed, when they were last updated and when you last ran a FULL scan with each of them.

As this is Windows 7 it cannot be too old. Do you live in a dusty environment or have pets? If so remove the side panel and see if the fan and heatsink over the CPU (processor) is covered in dust and/or cat hair. If so shut down, remove the power cord and have a clean up being careful not to disturb any wire connections.

Look down near the clock for a pennant style flag and hover over it. If there are issue it may well tell you so click on it and follow the instructions.

Try clicking Control panel
click 'Find and fix problems', this is the last choice on under "System and Security'
In the 'System and Security window select 'Check for performance issues' and follow along.

How are we doing now?

do NOT go to the clean pc site as seen on tv that is just a scam and they will charge you money for nothing.

You likely need several things updated.

do the things Owbist suggested and also do these scans

Secunia Online Software Inspector (OSI)
that will tell you everything that you need to update be sure you do all of those, make sure all your windows updates are done and current.

Install malwarebytes free, update it and do a full scan
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (Win) - Detecting and Removing Malware

you said you have it set to defrag at 1am is your computer turned on at that time so that it can do the defrag?
On a windows 7 pc it really is not necessary to do that much defragging. Once every few months should be plenty.

What browser are you using, how old is the pc and can you tell us how much RAM memory it has?
this program is excellent for telling you all you need to know about your pc.
Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit (Version 8.2d)

and have you ever used a registry cleaner on this pc? You do NOT want to do that.

You could also add WinPatrol to your system. One of the causes of system freezing is a lack of resources available. WP will tell you what you have running upon startup, in the background as services, and provide the opportunity to disable unnecessary activity demand.

DA

agree winpatrol is an excellent addition to any pc security arsenal. Scotty the watchdog is always watching out for you.

I hope this isn't considered a "hijack". :) WinPatrol is new to me. I downloaded the free version and am wanting to know how to decide which items should be left on startup? I went back and did a search here on the forum for WinPatrol and have read those. I've read the "how-tos" in the WinPatrol instructions and it explains what things are, but not how to decide what needs to be removed or disabled...at least from what I'm seeing. Would the best procedure be to google each entry and see if it's connected to a program that I use?

we have a special winpatrol area over on LzD please feel free to head there and you can likely get help asap
WinPatrol Help & Information

You could click on the Task radio button on the site below and research the entries you are seeing. Just be sure to disable entries in WP. Do not delete them.

This may also help defining the entries:

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: Answers That Work

Thank you, too, damccoy!

Hi everyone:
I have not checked in since I last posted and did not know of all the Posts, that were sent in.

I saved all your responses to use. A friend coming to help straighten out the mess.

Don't know when he can make it but I will let you know how I make out.
Thanks all,
LOU

You've gotten lots of good suggestions. Be sure your friend follows them, especially going to the other forum for help. I was helped by them, and I highly recommend that route.

HI : to everyone that sent a helpful post.
Thanks to all of You !!!

A friend got my PC straightened out from his home.
I sent him all your suggestions by Email.
Seems to be OK now.
Thanks again for your help.
LOU

Glad to hear that all is well, and thanks for letting us know.