Is this a virus on my computer?

I was on my desktop computer a little while ago, and I tried downloading sims 2 nightlife online from limewire. This was a BIG mistake, I realize now. I deleted some thing that were suspicious off of my computer and were virus-like. My virus protection is expired on there, so no luck there. Also, the whole desktop screen kept flashing and the taskbar. Also when I opened control panel, or my documents or anything..it closed down and I also kept getting pop-ups on the screen when I wasn't even on the internet.

Do you consider this a virus? I took it to best buy and they said that can run a scan to check the whole system but that is $60.00 and if they find a virus or anything on it, it will cost $200.00 to remove it from the system. So I just left with my computer and I'm thinking of just buying a new one considering that adds up to half the price of it when it won't last much longer. It is about 3-5 years old.......

Is this a virus on my computer?auto protect

If your not bothered about losing files etc use your system restore disk to restore the computer to factory settings, this will make the computer like new.

Is this a virus on my computer?downloads

the price for repairing it are too high. u can save your computer. first back up every important file on your computer. Then clean up your computer with cleanmgr. Go to start%26gt;run and type: %SystemRoot%\System32\cleanmgr.exe select your hard drive, accept and wait till it ends. select all boxes and accept. it will delete all junk and temporary files. Then search a free untivirus. such as zone alarm http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/c...