QEF*.tmp files 1.3 MB generated mysteriously

I have a Windows 98 PC that appears mysteriously generate 1.3MB files with the name QEF*.tmp. The * is usually a series of numbers.
I am running Symantec Antivirus version 8.1.
Whenever the scanner gets to one of these files, it freezes. I've downloaded a number of Stingers from McAfees web-site, but they detect nothing.
The PC is now so slow that every button press or mouse click seems to take a minute to respond.
Sometimes you can't delete the QEF*.tmp files, unless you startup with a boot stiffy.
I now see that there is a mutation as the files being generated are now called: *.VBN same size and almost always in the C:\Windows\Temp directory.

If it is a virus, what can I do to remove it.

 

Do a RAV Online Scan, and get HijackThis. Post the RAV log and the HJT log on here.
If clean, and it appears everytime, it is one of your applications running at startup.
Instead of a boot stiffy (floppy), Restart in Dos Mode when shutting down to get a C:\> prompt. Try these commands for a thorough cleaning.
smartdrv
deltree c:\windows\cookies
deltree c:\windows\history
deltree c:\windows\temp
deltree c:\windows\tempor~1
Type a Y that you want to delete, check for typos at this time as these command delete entire folders. When done, reboot, and they will be recreated for you.