EMERGINCY - Checking boot logs

[corrupt123]

I'm posting from my laptop which is error-free.

My friend is beside me on my desktop, on MSN. He keeps getting people saying he has a virus (and so, a virus on my desktop) because his MSN is sending them things like "Hey! is this your profile?" followed by a link.

I've been beside him since he went on and he's only clicked a youtube link. I am computer literate, and thus I know I definitly have not installed or downloaded anything remotly linked to a virus - or worm.

Heres the variable... I usually lock the case to my computer (thanks to me coming home one day and it refusing to turn on) so my family cant touch it. Today however, it appears I didnt lock the case on my way out.

Is there any way to check the boot logs (last or list of times the computer was turned on) for atleast the last 12 or 24 hours? I'm running windows XP, though I've got a feeling this is probably more assoceated with BIOS.

Thanks!

[cwb27]

Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Event Viewer -> click "System"

Now look for the earliest time that you know you didn't turn the computer on.

[corrupt123]

Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Event Viewer -> click "System"

Now look for the earliest time that you know you didn't turn the computer on.

Alright, but exactly what am I looking for? There are TONS of "information" logs, one of which occured at around 7:30 today... when I wasnt home. Is this an indication the computer was turned on?

I ask because there are tens, maybe hundreds of logs for the time the computer WAS on, so would not there be more logs if someone went on for any period of time they'd need to do anything?

[cwb27]

If there computer isn't on, it doesn't log anything. It's that simple :)