Another Computer Wiz help thread

[Bylimet Spiritwalker]

Well, I am one of the dummies that was still sticking with Norton for Security. Yesterday, I had a prompt to download the new 2008 upgrade before my subscription expired, which I went to the Symantec site and did so.

As soon as it was installed, after it uninstalled the previous version, I was unable to get anything to work without locking up the computer, including the task manager. I could not uninstall, I could not use task manager to shut down applications, I could do nothing. Every attempt to open any program resulted in a lockup.

I did see an error message saying too many files were using 16 bit and something needed to be closed to allow for a new program.

I finally said screw it, and went to a restore point from a month ago, and now everything is working fine again, with the 2007 Norton still my Security.

I also use Adware Alert, fyi.

Any ideas what the hell was going on, or if this is a known problem, or did I have a nasty slip in while the old version was uninstalled prior to the new one taking over?

Thanks for any ideas or help.

[Akom of Cazic Thule]

I work as an IT contractor... I was just at an office yesterday where her winsock was damaged. I repaired it via a utility I have and everything was fine. The next week she re-installed Adaware alerts and Symantec nuked her winsock again. I am under the impression that Symantec and Adaware don't get along.

[Bylimet Spiritwalker]

Thanks. I am going to dump Symantec.

[Akom of Cazic Thule]

AVG and Avast! are both free and seem to work pretty well.

[Sanchek]

If you're careful about not opening files that you don't trust (especially from emails), you really don't need anti-virus. It's basically just a performance tax to protect people who click on those "SEE_BRITNEY_SPEARS_NAKED.EXE" attachments.

[fildien]

I agree.

I haven't installed or used an anti-virus program since oh .... 2min before I uninstalled from my Dell. I just don't use them, I don't need to.

[Bylimet Spiritwalker]

I don't worry that much about virus attacks as I do about hackers. Heh, I only check my e-mail once every few weeks, and never even read the mail unless I know the sender. I have had a few notifications of attempts being made to access my computer, and maybe I am just naive, but I like knowing something is watching for that.

Anyway, I am going with AVG based on a coworker's advice. He said Symantec has been terrible the last several years, and it does not like AdWare Alert. (He is one of the local computer wiz kids everyone goes to instead of the Geek Squad.)

[Sanchek]

Do you have a router between your computer and your cable modem?

[Kanyli]

The only catch to the no-virus thing is that once you have one, you're hosed. There are several cheap, low memory programs. I've been happy with ESET NOD32 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832114003) and CA Antivirus. All it takes is one goof when surfing, or a coworker/friend screwing you over by mistake with an infected something. By all means avoid the big names, Symantic and McAfee are bloated and buggy.

I used to be a big fan of Symantic. In the early days of Win98 they had some great utilities that were light on the system, but they've gone downhill steadily since then.

[Bylimet Spiritwalker]

Do you have a router between your computer and your cable modem?


Yes. A Linksys.

[Sanchek]

As long as your machine isn't set to be in the DMZ on the router, you have nothing to worry about. People can't directly connect through your router to your internal machine, unless you explicitly open the port(s).

Firewall/security software on your actual machine is redundant.

[Bylimet Spiritwalker]

Thanks. :)

[zornhedEL]

By all means avoid the big names, Symantec and McAfee are bloated and buggy.

I used to be a big fan of Symantic. In the early days of Win98 they had some great utilities that were light on the system, but they've gone downhill steadily since then.

I used to really like systemworks also, I could turn off the automatic features I didn't want running all the time and check for updates when I wanted. Now they have that stupid "Security Center" That I can not shut down, and if I turn off any features, it glares red at me from the task bar. They took a great product and made it crap. I use Zonealarm and Spybot, never have any problems.