CD -ROM of my computer is not working properly?

For the past two weeks, my computer is behaving strangely.Its 3.06Pentium 4 with 256 RAM. but now it processes like Pentium -PII.

I think it could b bcoz of any virus from any software downloaded from internet sites ,as I dont use any Anti virus bcoz it reduces the speed. Later on I used "String" Macaffee to clean it but it could only provide solution for time being after 1 or 2 days problem comes back again.

But cd R/W is troubling me the most.all of a sudden it stops detecting the cds in the drive n shows drive is empty while there is cd in it.when I restore the computer to some back date when it was functioning allright CD drive works well but after 1 or 2 days problem is there again.I also used a Lense cleaner CD to clean the lense nearly 2 weeks back. Is this may b a root cause of all the problems.

Pls help me to combat these problems and provide solution for some better online available Antivirus for future ref..Pls mention the process properly at hhanda_01@yahoo.co.in

CD -ROM of my computer is not working properly?virus scanner

McAfee sucks, try downloading AVG for free or get Norton to completely clean the virus out. ITS A MUST that you keep a virus protection program on your computer at all times, EVEN if it does slow down speed, You won't have another episode like this.