New and confused--not sure if I have a virus??

Hi you wonderful, patient and giving volunteers!!! What would we do without you? I am beyond desperate for your help.

I'm afraid to run through your virus removal protocol without identifying my problem. So if I could just start there, that would be great.

Here's what happened. I was TRYING to be a responsible computer owner and keep my computer up to date. I went on CNET, looking for a specific program (2 days later,and with very little sleep, I don't even remember what I was looking for anymore).

CNET's Tech Tracker program was suggested and it sounded useful so I downloaded it. I was alerted to 12 missing driver updates and started downloading them. Somewhere along the way my touchpad stopped working--no scrolling or left or right clicking.

So I was downloading from a reputable site, I keep my anti-virus programs up to date and my computer is otherwise acting fine. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the synaptics program and spent the last 2 days pouring over every site I can find that might help but am getting no where.

I'm afraid to cause more problems by running programs that aren't necessary as I already feel like I've fallen down a rabbit hole. I have lost 2 full days and have gotten absolutely no where. As our families computer guru (scary that I am a self-taught 51 year old mom who's husband doesn't know how to turn on a computer), everything is piling up around me.

Do I run the anti-virus protocol? Is this likely to be a virus? Or is there something else I should do?

Again, thank you so very much for giving of your time and smarts to help out the struggling!

 

Try to uninstall the touchpad's drivers via device manager and reboot. Then re-install them again if windows didnt automatically re-install them.

 

This - and uninstall the "CNET's Tech Tracker" software in case it tries to reinstall the incompatible driver.