Slow,slow and even slower

[ThePlotter]

Having just logged on it took about a fifth of the time it took when Norton was on there.

Two questions are there any free firewall downloads that are any good ,not that I know what a firewall is.

Also having deleted Norton I still have two Norton icon on the first screen,one of which is Norton install any idea how to get rid of these.

 

[Fubar]

Hi Plotter

from the same download site:

http://www.download.com/ZoneAlarm/3000-10435_4-10653297.html?tag=lst-0-4
basically a firewall just stops all that nasty scamming stuff getting to your pc automatically - if you have XP though it already has a firewall built in.

I would also download something like AdAware (also free) and run it once per week to clean out spyware.

hope this helps. Mark (",)

 

[ThePlotter]

Cheers again Mark I am on XP so that should be ok ,where do I find adware.I think I have spyware via AOL but I seem to recall even AOL saying it causes problems including slowing everything down.

 

[Fubar]

AdAware is produced by Lavasoft, again can be downloaded for free from:

http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html
...make sure you do a full scan as opposed to a surface scan, at least once per month - it will highlight any problems which can then be selected and deleted.

another useful one is Spybot, download from:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
you can use them both together, belt and braces approach...

re WinXP firewall, just make sure it is switched on - Start, Settings, Control Panel, Windows Firewall. Should be on by default though. Mark (",)

 

[ThePlotter]

Mark you are a mine of information,I assume that you are into IT.

 

[Fubar]

it's me job! IT Support Analyst in schools - my pc at home is tied down tighter than my awning ropes, no MSN Messenger much to the disgust of my 2 kids! (",)

 

[ThePlotter]

All is now clear,or rather it isn't I can't find the Firewall that you refer to I went to control panel but nowt there.Please excuse a very non IT person (wrong age)

 

[Fubar]

Oops! I'm SO good I managed to post that twice.... ;0)

 

[Fubar]

Go back into the Control Panel and look for an icon called Security Center, double-click and it should tell you if the Firewall is on - may be the difference between XP Pro and XP Home Edition. Mark (",)

 

[Fubar]

Hi Plotter,

another useful tool in XP is to create a Restore Point, so that if your pc dies for whatever reason you can go into Safe Mode and restore XP back to a certain date and time. this is especially useful before installing any new software.

to create a Restore Point: Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore - choose Create a Restore Point, Next, give it a description (i.e. June07), click Create - click Close and you are done! Mark (",)

 

[ThePlotter]

Mark,you are showing off now!can't find the firewall as ou say must be because I am XP home.

 

[Damian]

Plotter, on XP Home, go to Control panel, then double click on Security Centre.

This will show you Firewall, on or off, Automatic Updates, on or off and Virus protection ,on or off.

 

[ThePlotter]

If I go to control panel there is not anything called security centrte or similar.

 

[Damian]

Plotter, when you open Control Panel, what view do you have? the Categories or Classic View, where everything is listed in a long list?

 

[ThePlotter]

Damian,Classic or switch to category (whatever they are)

 

[Damian]

Plotter, look down the list for an icon like a shield ,and Securiy Center, double click on it and it opens the control centre, if yo ustill cant find it, go to start, search, all files and folders, then type in security center(you must use the US spelling!!)and hit "Search", it wil come up in the list, double click on it,and it will open the control centre

 

[LizCornwall]

Hi Damian/Plotter, If plotter cannot find Shield/Security Centre, he must not have downloaded it correctly, what do you think Damian,

I have Shield on Control Panel/Security Centre, it's also on the main list. Firewall. Liz

 

[LizCornwall]

Damian, If you have too many anti-virus protections on your computer, sometimes firewall will not work, I had this problem,firewall would not install properly until I un-installed other programes. Just a suggestion if Plotter goes onto Add and Remove Programs in Control Panel, removes all other anti-virus protections, then starts from scratch, if he has not got the Shield for firewall it's not installed, is this right? Liz

 

[Damian]

Hi Liz,

With XP I believe it is part of the initial setup programme and is installed before you get the computer, by the makers, so it is resident already.

With other anti virus progs and extra firealls that problem may indeed happen, as the resident firewall will try and block it.

 

[LizCornwall]

Hi Damian, I have XP mine expired, so I downloaded Norton from Google software, but before downloading I had to un-install all other anti-virus protection before firewall could be installed, my husband prefers AVG which he downloaded because his expired.

I just thought Plotter might have the same problem I had when trying to install Firewall, it would not install properly until I removed all other anti-virus protection. Husband had to do the same before installing AVG.

Does this make sense? Liz

 

[LizCornwall]

Hi Damian, I have XP mine expired, so I downloaded Norton from Google software, but before downloading I had to un-install all other anti-virus protection before firewall could be installed, my husband prefers AVG which he downloaded because his expired.

I just thought Plotter might have the same problem I had when trying to install Firewall, it would not install properly until I removed all other anti-virus protection. Husband had to do the same before installing AVG.

Does this make sense? Liz

So I have Norton Anti-virus,firewall,google updating software.

 

[Fubar]

Hi All,

to get the Security Center and associated tools you need to install Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, which can be obtained here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx
very worthwhile doing this as it fixes a lot of the glitches with XP - however I would definately recommend creating a Restore Point first (as above) and backing up any essential data.

I only realised this morning that may be the reason you dont have these tools. if you are not sure whether you have SP2 or not, right-click on the My Computer icon and choose Properties, it will say what Service Pack (if any) is installed under System. Mark (",)

 

[ThePlotter]

Mark,clever me I have set up a restore point,if I get wiped out how does that work exactly,what do I do?

I have checked only shows SP1,went to download SP2 and goes into lote of worrying things of what to do if this or that happens when you download,am I likely to have problems?

Appreciate your free tutorial or is the invoice inthe post.

 

[Fubar]

Hi Plotter,

Restore Point: IF your pc ever dies on you, when it is booting-up press F8, then choose Safe Mode. a message then appears asking if you wish to restore XP to a previous point (click Yes), or go into Safe Mode (click No).

SP2: best thing to do is save sp2 somewhere (i.e. Desktop) before installing rather than run it over the internet, then run it once you have backed-up any essential data. before installing it close down any open windows, and you may have to stop your Anti Virus software running.

I honestly have never had a problem installing sp2, but there is always a first time - just take your time, read everything and use common sense. ultimately if you are not happy don't do it!

if the worst comes to the worst I have sp2 on disk I can send it to you - no invoice, anything I can do to help out a fellow caravanner.... (",)

 

[ThePlotter]

Thanks Mark would loading from a disc be safer,than download from website.