CTRL/ALT/DEL won't work

Question

My computer frequently freezes up when I'm online and I'm used to that. I hit CTRL/ALT/DEL and use the Task Manager to start over. It's cumbersome but it works -- until yesterday.

Now, CTRL/ALT/DEL doesn't work. I hit it repeatedly and nothing happens. The hourglass sits there like something's going to happen but nothing does.

The only way I can get out of this is to turn my computer off, which I hate to do because I know the importance of properly closing out programs before doing so, but I have no choice.

This has already happened four times today.

I'm stumped. Any suggestions?

I should add that I am NOT technically proficient, so please don't ask me technical questions.

Thanks.

Answer 1

My computer frequently freezes up when I'm online and I'm used to that. I hit CTRL/ALT/DEL and use the Task Manager to start over. It's cumbersome but it works -- until yesterday.

Now, CTRL/ALT/DEL doesn't work. I hit it repeatedly and nothing happens. The hourglass sits there like something's going to happen but nothing does.

The only way I can get out of this is to turn my computer off, which I hate to do because I know the importance of properly closing out programs before doing so, but I have no choice.

This has already happened four times today.

I'm stumped. Any suggestions?

I should add that I am NOT technically proficient, so please don't ask me technical questions.

Thanks. 

You may have a malware problem.

What happens if you do the following:

Start > Run > taskmgr > OK

Do you get a message such as "Task Manager has been disabled by your Administrator"?

What antivirus application do you have? Is it up to date?

Download, install, update, and run both of these free antimalware applications:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware: malwarebytes.org

SUPERAntiSpyware: superantispyware.com

Then see http://ask-leo.com/why_is_my_task_manager_disabled_and_how_do_i_fix_it.html