[zydone]

my neighbor still uses OS Win98 on his desktop. he wants to update his "security" on his puter. told him I use the free sites I get from filehippo on my XP and vista laptops. Question. will the freeware on filehippo such as anti-virus, firewall, and spyware, etc still work on the older Win98 system?

[Gizzy]

Some will some won't,

It depends which security programs you're referring to.
For anti-virus Avast still supports windows 98, but Avira doesn't.

Could you name the specific programs you're referring to?

[flavallee]

zydone:

Most of the current antivirus and antispyware and firewall programs won't work with Windows 98SE or Windows ME.

Any antivirus program that you do get to install will probably freeze up or bog down big-time in that old computer.

You didn't mention the processor speed and amount of RAM in that old computer.

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[hrlow2]

to Gizzy
According to the AntiVirus listings at Major Geeks, AviraAntiVir Free works with all Windows, but the pay versions need Windows 2000 as a minimum.

[Gizzy]

Originally Posted by hrlow2

to Gizzy
According to the AntiVirus listings at Major Geeks, AviraAntiVir Free works with all Windows, but the pay versions need Windows 2000 as a minimum.

Yes I noticed that, I think it needs to be updated though.

Since the 2 other links avira gives to download (Softpedia and Download.com) both don't include Windows 98 in the requirements.

Also see the FAQ here "Why don't you offer a product for Windows 98?"

And I didn't notice the requirements on their site but I downloaded the documentation for the free version here and there was no mention of Windows 98 under system requirements,
Only Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP3, and Windows Vista.

[hrlow2]

I stand corrected. They no longer provide new versions or updates for Win98/ME.

http://www.freeav.com/en/pages/22/faq.html

Third selection down.

[flavallee]

zydone:

What's the specs on your neighbor's computer?

1. Brand name, model name, model number

2. Processor type and speed

3. Amount of RAM

4. Hard drive size

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I've upgraded a number of old desktops that came with 98SE and ME and were capable of running XP.

It's just something to think about.

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[zydone]

I have no idea bout any specs on his computer only that it's a HP and he's not into computers to know about the specs. He just uses it to keep track of bank account and write letters to e-mail etc.
thanks