[jjhgoodguy]

I'm not super computer literate, probably know just enough to get me in trouble. I have a Dell XPS 410, 3Gb memory, Windows XP Home Ed. and lots of free space on the C: drive.

I don't have any AntiVirus or other security programs installed, the antivirus program that came with the system has ended, I believe it was McAfee, I thought Windows XP had it's own security. Recently, the computer has gotten slow booting up and while on the internet a lot of popups, mostly having to do with antivirus software, have become very frequent. While trying to get rid of them often the internet shuts down. Thinking that I have a virus, I have been trying to find out (browsing the internet) which antivirus software was the best and I'm guessing that some programs have been put on my computer that are advertising their software. I've come to the conclusion that these are probably viruses and are not good as well as being a PITA to deal with.

Also, I have the automatic Windows Updates turned on and although it was working fine at one point a while ago, it doesn't seem to be working now. The same updates are always on the "update list" but not being updated. I get a message saying the updates could not be completed. They are -
Security Updates for XP
KB938464
KB950762
KB951376
KB951968
KB955069
KB957097
Windows Service Pack 3 - KB936929

So here are my questions ----

1 - What are your recomendations for the best security programs for someone not all that "computer savey" that will remove existing problems and stop possible future infections. FYI - A friend installed Norton AV and said it slowed down his computer???

2 - I've been told that "registry" problems could be the cause of a slow computer. How can they be corrected? I've seen advertisements for "FinallyFast.com", is this product any good?

3 - Should I "reinstall" the Windows XP system from the CD that came with the computer? Could that solve the problem of the automatic updates not being installed?

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions anyone would have.

[runder]

1) I personally use Avast! and it's great & free. There are numerous options out there like AVG, Avast, NOD32, and Avira. I don't recommend Norton AV as it sometimes slowed my computer down as well.

2) DO NOT PLAY WITH THE REGISTRY. One wrong selected registry delete and your computer may fail to boot up. You can easily fix the registry yourself for free with just a little learning or other software (which I do not recommend.)

3) If you reinstall Windows XP, then all the problems (viruses, trojans, etc.) should be gone as it is a fresh install.

Again, this is just what I think about it.

[rainforest123]

j:
I agree with runder's #2 comment. Please, for your sake, heed runder's advice.

There exists an entity called a rootkit infection. AVG Free no longer detects rootkits. For that reason, I no longer recommend AVG Free. Some free AntiMalware, for example, MalwareBytes AntiMalware and Super AntiSpyware do a good job of removing spyware, but do not provide real time protection. That means that they do nothing to prevent the implantation of malware.

Read the stickies of this forum about tightening your security settings. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Some free programs are useful, but 70% of free programs are infected / infested.

Avoid sites with images of nude people, gambling sites and freeware sites.

At the present time, Microsoft does not offer / provide an AntiVirus program. Microsoft dropped its AV program before Windows 95 and Win 3.1.

There are rare viruses that will infect your computer's BIOS. I haven't read about one in years. Buy reformatting your hard disk drive will not touch your BIOS. I respectfully disagree with runder's #3.

Also, if you backup your files, for example copy them to a CD / DVD / flash drive, if 1 or more files are infected, the infection will be carried to XP after your format.

Generally, before installing Windows XP [ an example of an operating system ], it is necessary to format your HDD [ hard disk drive ].

Is the optical disk that came with your computer labeled "operating system".

Here are some articles I found, in my efforts to help another TGF member with a situation similar to yours.

I hope, for your sake, that you can avoid a re-install.

http://support.dell.com/support/topi...4&docid=296410
http://support.dell.com/support/topi...man_osri_task2
I know that is not your model, but the steps are probably similar.

Per Dell, for all their laptops.
http://support.dell.com/support/topi...rder?~lt=print'

For all Dell computers.
http://support.dell.com/support/syst...gen&~cat=12#12

You will need your Dell Service Tag.
http://support.dell.com

RF123

[rainforest123]

Open Internet Explorer
In the address bar, type: www.microsoft.com/updates
Upper right, left click "microsoft updates"
Accept the installation of ActiveX
On the right, look for "review update history"
left click when that link becomes active
Look for the updates you mentioned.
In the status, look for "failed".
Left click on "failed".
Provide us with the information.

Regarding SP3, recently, I tried to install SP3 for a colleague, which had failed for colleague.
Be sure your computer is free of malware [ viruses, spyware, adware, et al ].
Please read: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718/

If that fails, here is what worked for me.
Download network installation file of XP SP3, referenced in above link.
Uninstall AV
Boot to safe mode.
Run SP3 installation from download.

RF123