[anglin_fool]

Originally Posted by Blue Zee

If it works (and it does!) why do you feel the need to update?

I was thinking the definitions needed updating?

[Blue Zee]

ZoneAlarm doesn't work with definitions.

ZA is a software firewall, see this for better understanding:

What is a firewall?

Zee

[anglin_fool]

The program always asks to update its program. I used to say ok but then it says ME isn't supported. So it's like I am not using an up-to-date firewall.

[Blue Zee]

No, that only means the more recent versions of ZA require WinXP upwards OSs.

You can turn off automatic updates in Overview > Preferences tab.

Zee

[anglin_fool]

I did that when they said they no longer supported ME. i.e., why would a firewall need updating in XP, but as they say, not for ME? It was upgraded many times when they did support ME. I just thought they were definitions.

Which goes back to my question. Is there a free firewall provider that still supports ME.

[aarhus2004]

http://forums.techguy.org/18-all-other-software/

Ben.

[aarhus2004]

Hello WinMe users,

Please excuse a sailor's jargon!

A while ago in this thread we learned, what some of us perhaps found alarming, about the possible ending of AVG Free. I believe we have since had reassurances that this may have been a rumour. I am not sure about it one way or another.

It did prompt me to explore alternatives. Among them AVAST Free. Here.

Ignore the fact that I do not use anti-virus, free or software, on my WinMe computer. This as a normal course of events. But since aquiring (probably temporarily) an XP computer in the form of an Asus A9Rp Notebook I have something to share. On the laptop (Notebook) I am using AVAST. I like it well enough to have installed it on my WinMe machine also - for testing purposes.

On the laptop I had first of all used AVG with which most of us are very familiar. It had been some time since I had used it - a couple of years at least. Try as I may I could not become comfortable with it. I downloaded AVAST. And have been delighted in every way with it. It is a no-nonsense freeware, and I believe is at least as efficient as AVG. If not more so. I has several features which I find particularly impressive perhaps merely by their ease of use (AVG may have them too but I was daunted by its GUI and settings).

In AVAST (and the subject of one of the attached) is the VRDB. This can be configured readily to run in several modes or not at all. The depth of scanning is a simple adjustment too - a sliding bar-scale. I have not found scanning schedules and this has not deterred me, but updates are automatic with a check at boot-up. A HDD boot-sector scan can be programmed to run at boot-up or not - user's choice.

I think Avast great value for the money!!

Cheers.

Ben.

[ekim68]

Wow, good stuff Ben...AVG has been losing me as of late...Going the way of Norton and McAfee, IMO...Too ubiquitous...

[aarhus2004]

Hello WinMe users,

If you have a version of Process Explorer which is working - STAY WITH IT - do not think of updating and downloading a newer version. Do not delete the version you have. No old versions are available by design. I know this to be a fact. If you wish please read these threads on the System Internals website:

Here and here

Process Explorer - Major changes afoot. BEWARE.

Mr Russinovitch and his superb tool - Process Explorer - are now part and parcel of Microsoft. Only one version is available across the net - the current one 11.13. And only the then current version maybe available in the future.

This current version does not work with Windows 9x or Windows NT. It is not about to be made to do so. The TechNet download site, and home to Process Explorer, makes no mention of these limitations - in fact quite the contrary. It says that it is compatible.

Cheers.

Ben.

P.S. Perhaps you have, as I have, a buddy who has a working copy. Perhaps he or she may share it - as did mine - thanks GoJoAGoGo .

Pass the word to friends who are not members here yet use P.E.

[Blue Zee]

Old versions of Process Explorer were available here:

http://www.filehippo.com/download_process_explorer/

Technet removed the old files so links no longer work...

That's simply stupid.

But wondering why FileHippo doesn't use this link...
http://www.filehippo.com/download/b1...8b3ef/download

Process Explorer 10.2 is the last version before being taken over by Microsoft.

Note and warning: it doesn't work well on my WinXP!

Zee

[aarhus2004]

Originally Posted by aarhus2004

...
P.S. Perhaps you have, as I have, a buddy who has a working copy. Perhaps he or she may share it - as did mine - thanks GoJoAGoGo ....

Hello WinMe users,

The version referred to is .Process Explorer v. 8.6.1.0 and works well...

I have tried, on my system built in 1999, the following versions courtesy, Blue Zee and TheOutcaste, 10.05, 10.20, 10.21 and each of them proved overwhelming to my system. Version 10.20 is still to be found on the Hippo site by dint of hard searching.

I have shifted my emphasis to the versions in the 9. range and will test any found (or donated), reporting back to this thread.

The version provided in my list of useful freewares (see Post 335 above) should not be used since it now yields version 11.13 (May '08).

Best wishes to all.

Ben.

Edit 1. Updates.

All the versions: Here.

The disastrous one - quickly replaced! Here and here.

Finally, in summary:

Process Explorer has had many versions associated with it.
For WinMe users the only version available and for download is 8.61 - see attachment. Users may have other versions but they are no longer available for download.

The latest version is NOT suited to WinMe. (v.11.13).

And that, as far as I am concerned, is that.

Cheers.

Ben. (aarhus2004)

.

[ekim68]

Thanks Jo...I've been looking..

[GoJoAGoGo]

I not sure if this free malware scanner, "a-squared Free 3.5" by Emsi Software has been mentioned in this thread. Now that Ad-aware is no longer compatible with Win ME, I find this program is a good substitute. I have it installed on both my Win ME and XP. It's a very solid freeware program that provides definition updates daily. It will scan your whole system in about 20-30 mins. Also you can right click on any single file and scan it.

Emsi Software has 3 other freeware programs, "a-squared Command Line Scanner 3.5", "a-squared HiJackFree 3.1" and "a-squared Anti-Dialer 3.5". I haven't tried these yet but I'm sure they also will be good programs to use. "a-squared HiJackFree 3.1" has a larger interface and looks like a program worth trying. I'll report back when I do try it.

All Emsi Software is compatible with Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, 2003 Server and Vista.

You can check out these programs from this link:
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/download

Happy scanning ...

[GoJoAGoGo]

Originally Posted by ekim68

Thanks Jo...I've been looking..

You're welcome.

I installed the "a-squared HiJackFree 3.1" program. It's not a scanner but rather an analysis tool which is more than I expected. Here's a quote from the tutorial:

"a-squared HiJackFree is a detailed system analysis tool which helps advanced users to detect and remove all types of Hijackers, Spyware, Adware, Trojans and Worms."

The program has 5 sections that checks Processes, Ports, AutoRuns, Services and Others. The Processes section after hitting the refresh button several times will color code each entry to Green, Yellow or Red. The Red entries are considered "hostile programs" and can be removed and stored in Quarantine. Fortunately, all my entires were Green ...

Ben, I think you will enjoy toying around with this program ...

The tutorial is a must to read before you start.

Tutorial link:
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/kb/articles/tec061010/

[aarhus2004]

Originally Posted by GoJoAGoGo

You're welcome.

I installed the "a-squared HiJackFree 3.1" program. It's not a scanner but rather an analysis tool which is more than I expected. Here's a quote from the tutorial:

"a-squared HiJackFree is a detailed system analysis tool which helps advanced users to detect and remove all types of Hijackers, Spyware, Adware, Trojans and Worms."

The program has 5 sections that checks Processes, Ports, AutoRuns, Services and Others. The Processes section after hitting the refresh button several times will color code each entry to Green, Yellow or Red. The Red entries are considered "hostile programs" and can be removed and stored in Quarantine. Fortunately, all my entires were Green ...

Ben, I think you will enjoy toying around with this program ...

The tutorial is a must to read before you start.

Tutorial link:
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/kb/articles/tec061010/

I did enjoy my first hour of this tool. Thanks for it Joe. May I suggest you make bold (in your post above) "The tutorial is a must to read before you start."

Those small folder icons in the LH pane appear to be without colour when nothing is to be seen in the RH pane - as far as I can determine i.e.

I deleted on ActiveX entry carelessly (right click Delete) I have about 6 all-told colour RED. I half-expected to find it in Quarantine but on a second read of the tutorial I realised I had goofed. No problem. I will get the rest rightly placed in Q and check them out.

All in all a worthwhile check of one's system's status. Coming at the nasties from a slightly different direction. I wonder how you find it on XP?

Cheers. Joe.

Ben.

Edit 1.

I don't find the instructions for removing malware easily understood, Joe. These are here:

1.2. Removing identified Malware .

..."select the process from the list and then click on the "Kill process" button in the menu on the left-hand side."

I can't find a kill process button".

And this has me baffled:

"For this reason, you should also delete the corresponding program file of the process: Select the "Delete file" checkbox. It is a good idea not to completely delete the file but rather first place it in quarantine, so that it can be restored if it turns out that it was not Malware but rather a necessary program. Select the "Save backup" checkbox to do this."

"Delete file" checkbox - where is this found? And this is where: Save backup" checkbox?

Serves me right for addling my brain-remnants by staying-up all night!!

Come on, Joe, put your young brain to work on behalf of an old fella. Please.