[hewwo2u2]

Thanks for the info, Rich-M. I will look into these other programs. And I didn't mean to sound like I was questioning your knowledge on the subject earlier. What I was trying to say was that even if it is slowing my computer significantly it still didn't explain the 70+ processes that are running that I need help sorting through. Sorry for the misunderstanding there. I really do appreciate the help that you guys are offering.

[new tech guy]

Well if the user wants to remain free and have slightly stronger performance, they could use avast! By what i see, the resident sheild in that is much more agressive than AVG. Although i find both very good. Different strokes for different folks.

[hewwo2u2]

Originally Posted by Rich-M

so I merely suggested you get what you pay for and free is free!

Rich-M, I am very sorry if I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but can you please confirm for me that AVG free is as good or better than a paid for full version of McAfee Enterprise? I'm asking this because of all the other things that the McAfee provides on top of the virus protection that I can get from AVG only if I pay the $55 to buy the full version. AVG free only protects from viruses. And I've even heard that AVG has been known to fail when it comes to atually removing viruses. I guess I just want to be sure that I don't need all the extra "perks" on my McAfee that AVG free does not offer.

I think I'm going to get Kaspersky since this is one I've heard others says good things about as well. I just want to make sure I have the best protection I can have right now until I can afford to buy another program.

Also, can someone tell me where I need to go to see how much longer my subsciption is good for?

[new tech guy]

If the mcafee subscription is from your college, then they manage it. But we are saying due to its bloat, again that it is probably a large reason your computer is slow. In terms of firewall, a known free one is comodo. http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/ About three times on my school network it stopped an unsolicited NETBIOS session coming from the school's DNS server.

[hewwo2u2]

Okay I guess that's enough reason for me to dump it then. What can I do to make sure everything gets uninstalled? If it leaves such a big foot print I don't want anything left behind. I've read that people are having to use McAfee uninstaller programs in order to completely remove it. Am I going to have to buy one of these to be sure that I've removed it? I hate the idea of having to download and even possibly pay for another program just to remove the one I have! sheesh

[new tech guy]

Just removing it through add/remove programs should get rid of it, not like you have norton!

[Rich-M]

Originally Posted by hewwo2u2

Rich-M, I am very sorry if I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but can you please confirm for me that AVG free is as good or better than a paid for full version of McAfee Enterprise? I'm asking this because of all the other things that the McAfee provides on top of the virus protection that I can get from AVG only if I pay the $55 to buy the full version. AVG free only protects from viruses. And I've even heard that AVG has been known to fail when it comes to atually removing viruses. I guess I just want to be sure that I don't need all the extra "perks" on my McAfee that AVG free does not offer.

I think I'm going to get Kaspersky since this is one I've heard others says good things about as well. I just want to make sure I have the best protection I can have right now until I can afford to buy another program.

Also, can someone tell me where I need to go to see how much longer my subsciption is good for?

AVG has some spyware protection as well as virus protection but it is at least equal to MacAfee and either is at best "adequate". Good move with Kaspersky, you will be much better protected.

[new tech guy]

Originally Posted by Rich-M

AVG has some spyware protection as well as virus protection but it is at least equal to MacAfee and either is at best "adequate". Good move with Kaspersky, you will be much better protected.

Side question, kapersky has a small footprint correct?

[hewwo2u2]

I have unistalled McAfee via Windows Control panel. Can someone please tell me where to go in my computer just to make sure that everything has been removed and nothing sneaky has been left behind?

Also I still have over 70 processes running.

[hewwo2u2]

Originally Posted by new tech guy

Side question, kapersky has a small footprint correct?

according to a guy that recommended it to me, it is apparently very small.

When reading about it on another forum (www.techspot.com) one guy that uses it said that he "found that its actually lighter on system resources than AVG, using only 13MB of RAM."

BitDefender on the otherhand, has been voted #1 when it comes to virus protection on multiple sites and is even more appealing to me because it costs significantly less. ($25)

When it comes to system resources, according to what I've read, kapersky and Nod32 have the smaller foot prints with Nod32 using even less resources. I have my eye on Kaspersky though because it seems to be a happy medium between the other two...? http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

[Rich-M]

Yes small footprint like Nod32.

[hewwo2u2]

so now that I've removed the AV program, do you have any more advice? Should I post a new HiJackThis log? Should I take a screen shot of the processes listed in task manager? I've been sitting at the computer all day today so as not to make anyone wait for any more info needed from me but I have to go to bed soon since I have an 8am class. :/

[new tech guy]

OH ok, i wasnt doubting its protection, ive heard of the name before and knew it was good. Just wanted to make apparant that there are free alternatives that many users have been content with.

[hewwo2u2]

ok well i am going to bed now..hopefully someone will respond tomorrow when I get back from school.

[new tech guy]

How is the machine running after the mcafee removal?