For Computer Dummies Only

[Bird]

I suppose most folks have heard about Microsoft's latest update; Service Pack 2. And of course, I'm sure most of you know more about computers that I do, but for any of you computer dummies like me that are using Windows XP and Norton SystemWorks or anti-virus, I thought I'd mention a couple of things I learned. Symantec had information on their web site telling us that for everything to work together properly, you needed to download the updates to their software first before downloading and installing Microsoft's Service Pack 2. They also said to not run both Norton's Personal Firewall and the Windows XP firewall; use one or the other with Norton being the best (as you'd expect Symantec to say /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif). So I've been keeping my SystemWorks updated. This morning, I downloaded and installed the Service Pack 2. The dialogue box said estimate time 30 minutes. An hour would have been a much more realistic estimate.

Naturally, after installation, you have to restart the computer. The first thing to pop up was a new dialogue box from Norton showing the anti-virus, firewall, etc. "on" and recommending certain settings. I went with the default and when I closed that box, no desktop, no taskbar on the bottom, etc. Absolutely nothing but the default background picture. So I rebooted again by using CTRL/ALT/DEL and I think everything is working OK.

So this is just to remind anyone who doesn't already know that if you're going to update with Service Pack 2, plan on it taking a little time.

 

[kensfarm]

Bird.. you def. are not a computer dummy.. from reading your post.. you talk the talk.. updated your operating system and other software.. I'd say your computer skills are above average to excellent.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'd say your computer skills are above average to excellent )</font>

Ask some of these other TBNers who've helped me out now and then. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[DannyD]

hehehehehehehehehehehehe

ask some of the techs that I work with about sp2, they call it nasty, and with nortons it really stinks.

I work on computers and networks all day, this will not be on any of mine till Bill gets it working right.

 

[cowboydoc]

/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Geez Bird and here I thought this would actually be something with computers I would understand. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Computer dummy you certainly are not my friend. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Henro]

I must be lucky.

I installed it on one of our computers...I think mine...and we use norton too...but it went without a hitch. I did have to tell it I would use my own virus/firewall software I think...

Guess I will put off updating the other computers for a while...

 

[PBMAX]

Bird,
Thanks for the symantic tip. I'll see what our It folks tell me. As I run pcanywhere on mine. Though they have already asked Pointedly for us few XP folks to turn off auto updates till they can test. Me as already mentioned I will not put it on my home pc till it has been through the ringer a few times.... Wonder how many security holes are in this one?
I usually wait 6mnths to yr before I use them...

 

[BobReeves]

I am not one to jump on the latest upgrades either, especially if it is from Microsoft. I still have a few computers at the office running NT 4.0 and am running Win 98 here at the house.

Good advice to always wait until any upgrade has been out a while before jumping. I usually wait 3 or 4 months and read the computer magazines to see what problem have surfaced.

 

[tracdoc]

Ah, yes....the care and feeding of the anti-virus hogs, such as Norton's Symantec and McAfee VirusScan. IMHO, those fellows consume too much memory, hog control of too many of my computer's other utilities, and oftimes are just darn frustrating to keep in their place. These are UTILITIES. They should work for you, not the other way 'round.

I have found a superb alternative to these utilities. BTW, I have no commercial interest in the product, and my endorsement is strictly related to my excellent experience with it, and their excellent tech support.

The product is AVG 7.0. Their website is: AVG Anti Virus

The product uses far less system resources than the Norton or McAfee products, and it is a stellar performer. It is also rated very highly by all the major pc tech and consumer groups. Cost is also modest at $33 for single user, which includes 2 full years of upgrades and support. By far, this was one of the better moves I have made. Uninstalled Symantec, installed AVG amd it works for me in the background, scans all my email servers, all w/o the headaches of conflicts, etc. that seem to be a way of life with Norton and McAfee.

In regard to the WinXP SP2, AVG is right on top of it, and I can confirm their statements by my own experience both with my home computer as well as my office setup:
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( AVG Anti-Virus is fully compatible with the new Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2. All AVG Editions (Professional Single, Network, Server and Email Server) support the new advanced security features available in Windows XP SP2. AVG integrates smoothly with the Service Pack 2 Security Center, providing end users with a clear overview of the status of their anti-virus protection.

AVG Anti-Virus support for the new SP2 functionality was added automatically in an AVG program update. In addition to receiving the latest database updates automatically, AVG customers received the program update with support for SP2 - with no additional user activity required! All installation packages include the new functionality. )</font>

 

[JASTN70D]

Tracdoc

I have to fully agree I am in the computer network business we have been moving customers over. Started about a year ago and that was after a years worth of testing. It is an excellent product and catches more viruses than the rest.

 

[PBMAX]

tracdoc, Yep I swtiched to it a few months ago and have only been using the free version. I runs at 7am daily and is tiny in comparison to the others. It was recommeded to me by a programmer at work (Lynix nut). I have also read that some nucks actually write buggs to specifically make life difficult for norton and MC-iffy.... Don't know if it is true but wouldn't supprise me.... There is a topic here about other free stuff... FRee software ..... if any are interested.

Did you try the free version 1st if so what do you like about the full verision over it?

Again Bird thanks for the symantic tip. Maybe I should try their competitor.....

Win XP (X-treme Pain) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tracdoc]

Paul,

I did start with the free version, and liked it quite a lot. As I recall, the free version's limitations are:
. No Advanced User Interface
. Disabled Advanced Scheduling of Tests
. Disabled Creating of Your Own Tests
. No Technical Support
. No Advanced Operations with Test Results - (e.g. healing infected files, deleting them or moving them to Virus Vault so you can deal with them later)
. No Quick Test Option available

Geez, there may be some other things, too, but those are the ones I recall right off. Their tech support is wonderful (how often do you hear that?) I was having some difficulty getting AVG to work with a proxy type POP3 email server in Outlook, and they had me send them some screen shots, and within 24 hr they sent me step-by-step set up instructions, and they worked right the first time. I am very pleased.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( These are UTILITIES. They should work for you, not the other way 'round.
)</font>

tracdoc, I know nothing about AVG, but have heard good things about it, so I'll take your word for it being better. I was using an earlier version of Norton SystemWorks, but a few months ago bought the 2004 version and like it a whole lot better. And while there can apparently be problems between it and Service Pack 2, at least Symantec had this information available for quite awhile and I turned off the automatic Windows Updates until today. And I do like the utilities in SystemWorks, but don't have anything to compare it with. I'll agree about it using a lot of the resources, but so far that's not been a problem for me.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( asked Pointedly for us few XP folks to turn off auto updates till they can test )</font>

PBurns, as I said above, that's what I did, and told my daughter to do, until today.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am not one to jump on the latest upgrades either )</font>

BobReeves, you're probably smarter than me in that regard. However, I always hope that the upgrades will help instead of hinder, so I download and install them. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[PBMAX]

tracdoc, Now that is support.... I have had no problems with free version. It updates daily and if it finds any buggs it nukes them. AS for running your own test setup. I just hit run test scan what ever....There may be some buggs that need to be isoslated before they can be nuked... though....
I have considers the upgrade and with 24mths support at $33 is about the best deal I've heard of so far. thanks for the feed back...