[Crowfoot]

Hello again TechGuys and Gals!

I haven't been around in a while and never realized that you might value input from members on tech issues and other subjects that may arise within this community as per the above "Welcome Message."

Unfortunately, "Tech" is not one of my areas of expertise and is the main reason I frequent this forum when I have computer problems or need related advice as is the case today.

I'd be more than happy to contribute on matters such as economics, politics, finance, credit management, environmental issues, and issues relating to a more frugal way of living if they were of interest to the forum members. But, I don't think that this is what this forum is all about! Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Nevertheless, once again, I hope I can impose upon TechGuys for their valuable advice on obtaining an appropriate set of tools and programs I might wish to have to ensure "safe surfing" and enjoyment of the often precarious journey on the information highway!

I finally broke down and bought another computer (used) from a big oil company in my area that is in the process of upgrading their computers for $75.00 that I think is more than adequate for my needs.

It has an AMD Athlon XP 3000+ 2.17 Ghz processor, 1 Gb of Ram, 40 Gb H/D and came with Windows XP SP3 and OfficeXP installed. CheckDisk didn't find any problems with the H/D it runs quietly and is more than adequate for my needs.

What do you think - for $75.00 was this a good deal? I had a Pentium 2, 213 Mhtz processor and 256 Mb Ram previously so for me this is a Quantum leap.

As this is a "clean" machine with only AVG 7.5, the Microsoft Firewall, Clean-Up and only Office XP installed, before I go sufing around and downloading stuff, I hope you can advise me on an apropriate set of Security Tools, Media Player(s), etc. I might wish to install to avoid trouble.

So, I guess what I'm asking is, if this was your machine, what tools/applications would you install from the "get-go" to try to prevent future problems!

As always, I look forward to your valuable advice and thank-you in advance for your kind consideratiion of this request.

Best wishes,

Crowfoot.

[YellerPuma]

The following is a list of tools and utilities that I like to suggest to people. This list is full of great tools and utilities to keep you from getting infected.

1. Spybot Search & Destroy - Uber powerful tool which can search and annhilate nasties that make it onto your system. Now with an Immunize section that will help prevent future infections.
   
2. AdAware - Another very powerful tool which searches and kills nasties that infect your system. AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy compliment each other very well.
   
3. SpywareBlaster - Great prevention tool to keep nasties from installing on your system.
   
4. SpywareGuard - Works as a Spyware "Shield" to protect your computer from getting malware in the first place.
   
5. IE-SpyAd - puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all.
   
6. ATF Cleaner - Cleans temporary files from IE and Windows, empties the recycle bin and more. Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out those nasties that like to reside in the temp folders.
   
7. Windows Updates - It is very important to make sure that both Internet Explorer and Windows are kept current with the latest critical security patches from Microsoft. To do this just start Internet Explorer and select Tools > Windows Update, and follow the online instructions from there.
   
8. Google Toolbar - Free google toolbar that allows you to use the powerful Google search engine from the bar, but also blocks pop up windows.
   
9. Trillian or Miranda-IM - These are Malware free Instant Messenger programs which allow you to connect to multiple IM services in one program! (AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, IRC, MSN)

To find out more information and some great guidelines to follow to prevent infections you can read this article by Tony Klein (A malware removal pro)

Note:
This list is recommended by malware removal professionals.
Good luck, and safe computing!
I think it was a good deal to get that new computer.
YellerPuma

[Rich-M]

Nod32 Antivirus, Superantispyware, Win Patrol and Windows firewall.
All of the above paid versions and imho, you need nothing else.

[valis]

Originally Posted by Rich-M

you need nothing else.

well, one more thing that is, unfortunately, not for sale on any market I've seen.

Plain old common sense.

how's life, Rich?

[Rich-M]

Originally Posted by valis

well, one more thing that is, unfortunately, not for sale on any market I've seen.

Plain old common sense.

how's life, Rich?

You got that right valis, and that one we can't help with!
Life's not bad my friend, how about yourself? Nice promotion I didn't notice, but one you well deserve!

[valis]

thanks, man....life's been busy down here. Hot, too. Don't mind the busy part, the hot part I could do without.....

Kinda glad they don't sell common sense in a can; I'd be out of a job rather quickly, I assume.

[TechOutsider]

Media Player: VLC
Security: Norton 360 -- Simple, intuitive interface, but yet powerful. No wonder it's the most used security product in the world. A set it and forget it program.

http://nortontoday.symantec.com/feat...32039204726477

Internet: Mozilla Firefox 3. Fast and lean, like a fox. Finally lives up to its word. Very foxy as well.

Hmm..I'm surfing through my start menu now...

Disk Health: Auslogics' Disk Defrag. Defrags way faster than the Windows Defrager; does not analyze the disk before defrag.
IM: Pidgin and Skype
Productivity: Word 2000. No kidding. Intuitive inferface and lightweight. I hate all the blue in Windows XP, makes me feel blue...Foxit Reader for PDF...lightweight...WinRar...Compression Client
Uninstaller: Revo uninstaller. Keep your disk free is crap! Revo completly removes programs, their files, folders, and registary entries. Adobe Reader, when uninstalled with Revo, left over 1200 files and registary entries behind. Revo removed them all with a simple restart.

[TechOutsider]

If you think that Norton is slow, I got a P4 3.0 ghz with HT with 2 gb of memory and a 40gb drive. Norton has no impact on my system. Now just imagine a AMD Athlon 3000+ 2.17 Ghz with N360...Benchmarks show that a P4, even overclocked to over 5 ghz, can barely beat a Athlon 3000+

[Crowfoot]

Thanks to all of you for your advice and recommendations!

Looks like I have some "work" to do but I do greatly appreciate the input.

So, TechOutsider, it sounds like the Athlon 3000+ 2.17GHz processor rates pretty high in your estimation which is good to know and for $75.00 this computer was a pretty good deal.

If you don't mind, I'll leave this thread open for a while in case more suggestions come in.

Oh yeah, could one of you tell me of a diagnostic tool (preferably freeware) that will tell me exactly what sound card, make and model is installed in one's computer. I upgraded to Win XP Service Pack 3 and now I have No audio coming through my speakers when I try to play any type of media. Everything appears to be connected appropriately but still there is no sound.

In searching around with Google, apparently there are quite a few people having issues and problems with sound/audio after this upgrade. It would appear to be a driver of some sort is needed but I have no idea where to look for it or what I need to install. I notice in Device Manager there is a big yellow "?" mark next to the Other Devices Folder which contains a Multimedia Audio Controller and a Video Controller (VGA compatable) both of which have the same big yellow "?" mark beside them.

Any ideas of what I have to do to correct this problem???

If this is not the appropriate Forum section to be asking this type of question could you please refer this matter to Audio Help forum for Win Xp.

Again, thanks very much to all of you for your time and your help.

Kind Regards,

Crowfoot

[valis]

here's a good resource scanner; will tell you what you have in your rig pretty quickly and rather deeply as well.

As for norton, IMO, it's still the most overrated piece of bloatware out there. The very first thing we do here at work is remove that off of all incoming rigs; I run AVG at home on my network, but am looking closely at Eset and Avira......norton just takes up too many processes and is waaaaaaaaay too pervasive for my liking.

Plus, it's not free.

[Crowfoot]

Thanks for the scanner Valis.

Any thoughts on the Audio Problems mentioned above?

I tend to agree with your Norton comments and have been pretty happy with AVG. Why should I go out and spend "big bucks" on a package of bloat-ware when there are free products out there that basically do the same thing as the commercial ones!

Crowfoot

[valis]

I'd d/l the motherboard drivers again and install them. That's usually the first thing that gets blown out in a big update.

Assuming you have an onboard audio card, and not a PCI one.

[Crowfoot]

Yeah, I have a Legacy Audio Device that's built into the motherboard but I have no software for the motherboard.

I'm not that familiar with remedying driver issues and don't want to screw things up worse than they already are.

Do I go to the motherboard Manufacturer's website for the driver's and do I have to uninstall then reinstall the drivers or will the downloads automatically find, update and/or overwrite the existing driver data?

[valis]

what's the make and model of your pc?

[Crowfoot]

It's a clone that was custom built for a local energy company that I was able to pick up for cheap.

I have to go golfing with a buddy of mine shortly but I'll get the motherboard details later and post them when I get back.

Bye for now!

Crowfoot.