Hi Richard Whiting
1-If you are able to connect it to the Internet do it and install a trial version of a decent Internet security program such as '“Kaspersky Internet Security”
its free version is available I guess . Update it and run the “Full scan” or use online scan services.
If there is a copy of other similar programs on the laptop please uninstall them before new installing.
Do the step 1 before any other action and write the result of it please .
1-b: Press and hold "Shift" key simultaneous with doing right click to choose "Delete" from the menu ( you will see a red cross with the message which means this action removes the file(s) for ever without moving them to the Recycle Bin)then press "Enter" key
to delete the file(s) permanently. This has no need to any free space.
2-Recovering to an earlier situation (restore point) if step 1 doesn't work.
3- Because your laptop comes with Just 2 GB RAM so keep the partition “C” up to 70% free and try not to install several programs on it.Try to keep files in other partitions( for example “ D” if there is ) or move them to the external hard drive.