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Keeping your PC/LapTop Clean after that first year [W:39]

I build computers as a hobby... both high end and low end... manage the IT department at my medium sized office, and consult for just about everyone I know on computer issues. I usually recommend one of the free anti-virus programs for average users. The paid programs may be more robust and may scan for viruses that date back further, but they are usually far more bloated than the free programs, and often create conflicts with other programs. Norton and McAffee are the worst, and for the average user, the bells and whistles they contain are not worth the price. I have installed AVG on every system I have built for the past 10 years. No one has ever gotten a virus.

As for the other suggestions in the OP. I agree with cleaning out your start up folder. This is one thing that I constantly look for. Just cleaned out the startup folder of a colleague; made her computer start up MUCH quicker.

Defragmentation is not needed. It hasn't been something that has been necessary since Windows 98. With increased memory, increased size of hard drives, and increased hard drive cylinder speeds, the benefits of deframentation are minimal.

The File Cleanup and Error Checking suggestions are OK, but for the average user who surfs the internet, does word processing, some photo manipulation, and other light activities, it really isn't necessary.

The best ways to take care of your computer are to not go onto any dangerous websites, to always close out programs correctly, to upgrade utility programs such as anit-virus, anti-spyware, video viewing (especially flash), browsers, and anything that you tend to use a lot. This will help programs to not have compatibility issues. Always be aware when you are installing a new program. Often a program will add hidden bloatware. Be very aware of what you are installing.

One thing to always remember is the only way you can REALLY destroy your computer is with a sledge hammer... other than hardware failure. I always tell people this, and if they remember, their enjoyment of their computer goes up tremendously.

The only other suggestion I often make is, if you can and know how, reformat your computer and reinstall everything once every two years. It's good practice to keep things running smooth. When I build a system, I usually create an "installation disk" with all of software that is installed on the computer when it is new. I used to put them on DVD drives, but now I put them on flash drives. That way, it is easier to get the system back to a "new" state.



I don't doubt that what you say is true (for a while) for sparse computer users, I simply have known numerous people who used AVG and had viruses shortly after (and this coming from the user perspective, not the professional one). Again the definitions are not constantly updated against new threats with free programs like AVG, so what this means is someone who uses the internet a great deal will get viruses with those freeware programs.


Again, paid programs couldn't exist if they didn't do a better job and the public clearly accepts that they do. So either the public is in on a conspiracy or there's simply a fervent freeware crowd that can't stomach that not all freeware is comparable to paidware.
 
I build computers as a hobby... both high end and low end... manage the IT department at my medium sized office, and consult for just about everyone I know on computer issues. I usually recommend one of the free anti-virus programs for average users. The paid programs may be more robust and may scan for viruses that date back further, but they are usually far more bloated than the free programs, and often create conflicts with other programs. Norton and McAffee are the worst, and for the average user, the bells and whistles they contain are not worth the price. I have installed AVG on every system I have built for the past 10 years. No one has ever gotten a virus.

As for the other suggestions in the OP. I agree with cleaning out your start up folder. This is one thing that I constantly look for. Just cleaned out the startup folder of a colleague; made her computer start up MUCH quicker.

Defragmentation is not needed. It hasn't been something that has been necessary since Windows 98. With increased memory, increased size of hard drives, and increased hard drive cylinder speeds, the benefits of deframentation are minimal.

The File Cleanup and Error Checking suggestions are OK, but for the average user who surfs the internet, does word processing, some photo manipulation, and other light activities, it really isn't necessary.

The best ways to take care of your computer are to not go onto any dangerous websites, to always close out programs correctly, to upgrade utility programs such as anit-virus, anti-spyware, video viewing (especially flash), browsers, and anything that you tend to use a lot. This will help programs to not have compatibility issues. Always be aware when you are installing a new program. Often a program will add hidden bloatware. Be very aware of what you are installing.

One thing to always remember is the only way you can REALLY destroy your computer is with a sledge hammer... other than hardware failure. I always tell people this, and if they remember, their enjoyment of their computer goes up tremendously.

The only other suggestion I often make is, if you can and know how, reformat your computer and reinstall everything once every two years. It's good practice to keep things running smooth. When I build a system, I usually create an "installation disk" with all of software that is installed on the computer when it is new. I used to put them on DVD drives, but now I put them on flash drives. That way, it is easier to get the system back to a "new" state.


Now this is credible advice.

I'd add, make sure you have a pop-up blocker of some kind activated.
Ad-blocker is another great product.
Never open an email from anyone you don't recognize or know.
Never click any link in any email from someone you don't know or recognize.
Try not to click on ads for websites and products that appear on pages that you don't trust or haven't google searched for yourself.

In terms of helping laptops last longer - heat is your enemy.
Be sure to keep vent areas open to air circulation as best as possible.
 
Hate to disagree with you, but I have never had issues with Norton.

McAfee... that will never touch my computer.


Yeah they don't know what they're talking about. (For legitimate reasons: Most are Linux/Ubuntu/Apple users that are lecturing PC users. Such is why they get so animated. Nobody cares about their fantasy Matrix world and this upsets them)


I've used every freeware imaginable and everything these people say is completely inaccurate.


Everything gets through. Spyware. Viruses. You can't visit a single website without spyware being injected somehow. Went to Norton a few years ago. Never had a single bleep with anything. No spyware. No viruses. No nothing. I can go to any site, even ones I know are bugged, and still nothing. With AVG or Spybot you'd have a meltdown in no time and all the while those programs would be detecting nothing in their scans. The reason is simple. They aren't truly updated as they claim. They're protecting you against the latest threats from months ago, not the ones created last week.
 
Yeah they don't know what they're talking about. (For legitimate reasons: Most are Linux/Ubuntu/Apple users that are lecturing PC users. Such is why they get so animated. Nobody cares about their fantasy Matrix world and this upsets them)


I've used every freeware imaginable and everything these people say is completely inaccurate.


Everything gets through. Spyware. Viruses. You can't visit a single website without spyware being injected somehow. Went to Norton a few years ago. Never had a single bleep with anything. No spyware. No viruses. No nothing. I can go to any site, even ones I know are bugged, and still nothing. With AVG or Spybot you'd have a meltdown in no time and all the while those programs would be detecting nothing in their scans. The reason is simple. They aren't truly updated as they claim. They're protecting you against the latest threats from months ago, not the ones created last week.


You are so annoyingly immature.

You're like a guy pushing Dominoes Pizza over all other pizzas.

Many MANY people here have refuted your claims over the absolute NEED to pay for anti-virus yet your only response is that those people are just tin-foil-hat wearing linux geeks.

Grow up and understand that your opinion is as valid and credible as your posts are. Which is consistently dragged down by your immature and ignorant commentary about people who disagree with your OPINION.

If the only way you can support your OPINION is by ignorantly trashing everyone who disagrees with you through extremely broad-brush stereotypes, then YOU LOSE.

It clearly shows you have no PROOF that what you're suggesting is the truth.
 
I don't think so. I think he's given "the average Joe" a good to-do list to maintain their computers. Why do most of us 'turn them in?' I can answer for me -- each one of my computers was trashed (except my last one) because they were so filled with viruses or internal systems problems, etc. as to dramatically slow down their processes. And no amount of deleting programs solved the problem. "Time for a new one."


These are far from "average Joe's" MaggieD.


For instance, the above thread troll is a Ubuntu user trolling a PC thread. And there she sits, lecturing PC users nonetheless...


They're irrational and angry people. That's solely the reason they resent PC users using paidware. They have personality disorders which cause them to use over complicated OS's then come into a PC thread and lecture average users. The truth is they don't care if you get a virus because guess what? They don't actually use Windows or PC's.
 
Problem with Norton is that stability chances from version to version. One version can be just fine and smooth, and the next one effects computer performance. If your PC is not a high end to upper mid end configuration, then Norton is a resource hog without end. But the worst part of Norton is that it is damn hard to get rid off.. and install things like Norton Online Backup without your approval... that pisses me off.

One thing that makes me sad.

In his day, Peter Norton was one of the greatest creators of truly useful utility software for the PC platform. He sold not only his business, but his very name and identity, to Symantec, whose business has always consisted nearly entirely of buying up good software products, and turning them to utter crap.

In Mr. Norton's case, not only have all his products been turned to crap, but his very name and reputation as well. I'm sure he's as great a programmer as he ever was, but all the products that now bear his name are crap, and so that's what his name is associated with.
 
One thing that makes me sad.

In his day, Peter Norton was one of the greatest creators of truly useful utility software for the PC platform. He sold not only his business, but his very name and identity, to Symantec, whose business has always consisted nearly entirely of buying up good software products, and turning them to utter crap.

In Mr. Norton's case, not only have all his products been turned to crap, but his very name and reputation as well. I'm sure he's as great a programmer as he ever was, but all the products that now bear his name are crap, and so that's what his name is associated with.

They are not "crap" as in they dont work. They do, and work very well... if you have a medium to higher end machine with the muscle to deal with the program. And that is the problem. Norton (and Mcafee) are being installed on machines that simply cant handle the resource hogging software. Add in toolbars, error 40 issues and you have a machine that on paper should be fine to run a web browser and so on.. but is running at a crawl.

For example.. netbooks. Cheap machines with ATOM processors and 1 GB ram (2 if you got a more expensive one).. sold with either Norton and McAfee.. I mean wtf?
 
Yeah they don't know what they're talking about. (For legitimate reasons: Most are Linux/Ubuntu/Apple users that are lecturing PC users. Such is why they get so animated. Nobody cares about their fantasy Matrix world and this upsets them)


I've used every freeware imaginable and everything these people say is completely inaccurate.


Everything gets through. Spyware. Viruses. You can't visit a single website without spyware being injected somehow. Went to Norton a few years ago. Never had a single bleep with anything. No spyware. No viruses. No nothing. I can go to any site, even ones I know are bugged, and still nothing. With AVG or Spybot you'd have a meltdown in no time and all the while those programs would be detecting nothing in their scans. The reason is simple. They aren't truly updated as they claim. They're protecting you against the latest threats from months ago, not the ones created last week.

Your experience doesn't match a number of computer professionals here, some with decades of hands on experience in the field. Myself included.

If you stop visiting those porn sites on the web and stuck to Best Practices you wouldn't have near the issues you seem to be having.
 
They are not "crap" as in they dont work. They do, and work very well... if you have a medium to higher end machine with the muscle to deal with the program. And that is the problem. Norton (and Mcafee) are being installed on machines that simply cant handle the resource hogging software. Add in toolbars, error 40 issues and you have a machine that on paper should be fine to run a web browser and so on.. but is running at a crawl.

For example.. netbooks. Cheap machines with ATOM processors and 1 GB ram (2 if you got a more expensive one).. sold with either Norton and McAfee.. I mean wtf?


That's true about the power. I forget my power sometimes lol! =)



Clownboy I think it's mostly just anger on you guys end that my gen chooses not to listen to people that are old in our eyes. For instance. Your statement on porn sites. What absolute idiocy, but idiocy all the same that could only come from your clueless generation. Almost all sites have spyware injects now. That statement is one of ignorance, or of a creepy Ubuntu user lol.
 
They are not "crap" as in they dont work. They do, and work very well... if you have a medium to higher end machine with the muscle to deal with the program. And that is the problem. Norton (and Mcafee) are being installed on machines that simply cant handle the resource hogging software. Add in toolbars, error 40 issues and you have a machine that on paper should be fine to run a web browser and so on.. but is running at a crawl.

For example.. netbooks. Cheap machines with ATOM processors and 1 GB ram (2 if you got a more expensive one).. sold with either Norton and McAfee.. I mean wtf?

An anti-malware (I consider the term “virus” to be obsolete and inaccurate; it refers to a very specific kind of malware which, as far as I know, hasn't significantly existed in the wild for ten years or more.) program should not be a major resource hog. All it has to do is scan any incoming files that might contain malware, to assure that they do not, to remove any malware that it does find, and to occasionally be used to run a full scan of the existing files on a system. Other than that last, which should rarely be necessary, there is no good reason at all why it needs to consume very much memory or CPU time to do its job.
 
That's true about the power. I forget my power sometimes lol! =)



Clownboy I think it's mostly just anger on you guys end that my gen chooses not to listen to people that are old in our eyes. For instance. Your statement on porn sites. What absolute idiocy, but idiocy all the same that could only come from your clueless generation. Almost all sites have spyware injects now. That statement is one of ignorance, or of a creepy Ubuntu user lol.

Wow, I'm sorry but your statements and presumptions show you know very little about that which you rant here. I'm not a linux user, but I understand and can operate/configure many of the distros. I have to have that ability having been a system admin for the last decade. Before that I built and installed and maintained networks for large companies. Before that I was a codemonkey who transitioned to the web when it was born. In fact I wrote the first MS Small Business site, as well as Techtronics and the Bank of America.

You are absolutely incorrect that "almost all sites have spyware injects now". Makes me wonder if you actually know what spyware is or even how http and https protocols operate. You can fool yourself into thinking those porn sites are just as safe as everything else, they're not.
 
Now this is credible advice.

I'd add, make sure you have a pop-up blocker of some kind activated.
Ad-blocker is another great product.
Never open an email from anyone you don't recognize or know.
Never click any link in any email from someone you don't know or recognize.
Try not to click on ads for websites and products that appear on pages that you don't trust or haven't google searched for yourself.

In terms of helping laptops last longer - heat is your enemy.
Be sure to keep vent areas open to air circulation as best as possible.

Great advice especially the one about heat. This goes for cell phones and tablets, too.
 
I don't doubt that what you say is true (for a while) for sparse computer users, I simply have known numerous people who used AVG and had viruses shortly after (and this coming from the user perspective, not the professional one). Again the definitions are not constantly updated against new threats with free programs like AVG, so what this means is someone who uses the internet a great deal will get viruses with those freeware programs.

Well, YMMV. I've never seen it happen, and it's never happened to me and I'm a pretty heavy user.


Again, paid programs couldn't exist if they didn't do a better job and the public clearly accepts that they do. So either the public is in on a conspiracy or there's simply a fervent freeware crowd that can't stomach that not all freeware is comparable to paidware.

Or neither. I'm sure that the paid programs do an excellent job when it comes to corporations and website management. For the average, everyday user, the freeware programs work just as well from my experience.
 
Yeah they don't know what they're talking about. (For legitimate reasons: Most are Linux/Ubuntu/Apple users that are lecturing PC users. Such is why they get so animated. Nobody cares about their fantasy Matrix world and this upsets them)

I am a PC user. You really shouldn't make silly assumptions that are easily proven wrong.

I've used every freeware imaginable and everything these people say is completely inaccurate.

And I've used several of the freeware programs and all of the paid programs and everything you have said is completely inaccurate. You have opinions, not facts. Please learn the difference.


Everything gets through. Spyware. Viruses. You can't visit a single website without spyware being injected somehow. Went to Norton a few years ago. Never had a single bleep with anything. No spyware. No viruses. No nothing. I can go to any site, even ones I know are bugged, and still nothing. With AVG or Spybot you'd have a meltdown in no time and all the while those programs would be detecting nothing in their scans. The reason is simple. They aren't truly updated as they claim. They're protecting you against the latest threats from months ago, not the ones created last week.

This is nothing but your experience and your opinion. I go anywhere with the freeware that I have installed and get no viruses or spyware.
 
These are far from "average Joe's" MaggieD.


For instance, the above thread troll is a Ubuntu user trolling a PC thread. And there she sits, lecturing PC users nonetheless...


They're irrational and angry people. That's solely the reason they resent PC users using paidware. They have personality disorders which cause them to use over complicated OS's then come into a PC thread and lecture average users. The truth is they don't care if you get a virus because guess what? They don't actually use Windows or PC's.

Moderator's Warning:
You need to cease the personal attacks immediately or you will be removed from the thread.
 
I'd recommend nobody use free antivirus unless you want a virus and to not listen to people who suggest otherwise. (They're irrational and don't care about your system, only their particular manifesto of choice). This thread demonstrates that.

Lol :) :giggle1:
 
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I'd recommend nobody use free antivirus unless you want a virus and to not listen to people who suggest otherwise. (They're irrational and don't care about your system, only their particular manifesto of choice). This thread demonstrates that.

Lol :) :giggle1:

And I'd recommend that you both stop making assumptions about people without evidence and stop attempting to present opinions as facts. Remember... just as you made a claim about paid programs, free anti-virus programs would not remain as downloadable options and be downloaded and used as often as they are if they were not effective.
 
Don't download a free antivirus you will get viruses. They don't know what they're talking about. Just go out and spend a meager $30 (OMG) and be protected forever and never worry about it.


:cool:
 
Don't download a free antivirus you will get viruses. They don't know what they're talking about. Just go out and spend a meager $30 (OMG) and be protected forever and never worry about it.


:cool:

This is inaccurate.
 
I'd recommend nobody use free antivirus unless you want a virus and to not listen to people who suggest otherwise. (They're irrational and don't care about your system, only their particular manifesto of choice). This thread demonstrates that.

Lol :) :giggle1:

Okay, Ryan, I've skimmed through this whole thread after reading your OP, and I have to say that I agree with those who contend that there are some free antivirus systems that are just as...or more...effective as paid versions. My choice: Avast.

I don't know if you corrected your suggestion to defrag regularly to take into account SSD's, but the fact is you DO NOT want to defrag an SSD. If you do so, you will shorten it's lifespan and it's totally useless to do anyway. SSD's have a TRIM feature that deals with fragmentation.

The best thing you can do for your browsing is to add AddBlock to your browser and prevent popups. This alone will defeat the most common way that people get viruses: clicking on some piece of junk that appears when they are surfing.

Now, lest you discount my words because I'm not some kind of "professional", I will tell you that I have been building, upgrading and maintaining my own computers since the early 90's. My current system cost me $3,400.00...not counting the two 27" monitors, keyboard, etc. I know what I'm doing.

btw, I know others won't like this...but another thing that can be done to reduce the chance of getting a virus...especially of the rootkit variety...is to get Win8. This OS has additional security built into it. Much better...more stable...than Win7.
 
Okay, Ryan, I've skimmed through this whole thread after reading your OP, and I have to say that I agree with those who contend that there are some free antivirus systems that are just as...or more...effective as paid versions. My choice: Avast.

I have used Avast at times and have found it's effectiveness to be excellent.

I don't know if you corrected your suggestion to defrag regularly to take into account SSD's, but the fact is you DO NOT want to defrag an SSD. If you do so, you will shorten it's lifespan and it's totally useless to do anyway. SSD's have a TRIM feature that deals with fragmentation.

This is an excellent point. NEVER defrag SSD's.

The best thing you can do for your browsing is to add AddBlock to your browser and prevent popups. This alone will defeat the most common way that people get viruses: clicking on some piece of junk that appears when they are surfing.

Again, good point, which goes to another important thing to remember. Most viruses an problems can be avoided by the user surfing intelligently.

Now, lest you discount my words because I'm not some kind of "professional", I will tell you that I have been building, upgrading and maintaining my own computers since the early 90's. My current system cost me $3,400.00...not counting the two 27" monitors, keyboard, etc. I know what I'm doing.

btw, I know others won't like this...but another thing that can be done to reduce the chance of getting a virus...especially of the rootkit variety...is to get Win8. This OS has additional security built into it. Much better...more stable...than Win7.

Good to know.
 
I'd recommend nobody use free antivirus unless you want a virus and to not listen to people who suggest otherwise. (They're irrational and don't care about your system, only their particular manifesto of choice). This thread demonstrates that.

Lol :) :giggle1:

Don't download a free antivirus you will get viruses. They don't know what they're talking about. Just go out and spend a meager $30 (OMG) and be protected forever and never worry about it.


:cool:


What's funny is that you have ranted on continuously about the Linux user being some kind of conspiracy freak nerd reject, yet your ranting has shown that YOU are the one with their head stuck into the proverbial sand. You're doing little more than covering your ears and shouting out your inane babel like it's religious dogma.

I've stated that I have three computers. One with Ubuntu, the other two are windows machines.

The other two are used daily by a teenage daughter and a college aged daughter. They're all over the internet from Facebook to twitter to tumblr to god knows where. Some times they've been known to go to peer-to-peer sites for music.

I've kept their computers running for years with the free stuff.

CCleaner, Malwarebytes, MSE, and using Google Plus browser with ad-blocker plus has been perfectly acceptable and prevented any need for outside help to fix any issues ever.

You can keep ranting about Linux users, but all that does is make you appear to be a lost little teenage boy trying to sound smarter than you are.

You haven't provided any PROOF of your claims regarding free vs. paid anti-virus or malware.

All you've done is successfully destroy any and all credibility you might have had by acting like know-it-all better than thou employee of some anti-virus software business whose job is threatened by the free stuff that most people are happily using every day.
 
Okay, Ryan, I've skimmed through this whole thread after reading your OP, and I have to say that I agree with those who contend that there are some free antivirus systems that are just as...or more...effective as paid versions. My choice: Avast.

I don't know if you corrected your suggestion to defrag regularly to take into account SSD's, but the fact is you DO NOT want to defrag an SSD. If you do so, you will shorten it's lifespan and it's totally useless to do anyway. SSD's have a TRIM feature that deals with fragmentation.

The best thing you can do for your browsing is to add AddBlock to your browser and prevent popups. This alone will defeat the most common way that people get viruses: clicking on some piece of junk that appears when they are surfing.

Now, lest you discount my words because I'm not some kind of "professional", I will tell you that I have been building, upgrading and maintaining my own computers since the early 90's. My current system cost me $3,400.00...not counting the two 27" monitors, keyboard, etc. I know what I'm doing.

btw, I know others won't like this...but another thing that can be done to reduce the chance of getting a virus...especially of the rootkit variety...is to get Win8. This OS has additional security built into it. Much better...more stable...than Win7.

Most people will be better served though Mycroft with a paid antivirus. They're just better to use if you want peace of mind :)


There are many instances of people getting viruses with free ones which is why the paid ones exist. They work better.
 
Most people will be better served though Mycroft with a paid antivirus. They're just better to use if you want peace of mind :)


There are many instances of people getting viruses with free ones which is why the paid ones exist. They work better.

Sigh...

No antivirus protection is perfect...not even the paid ones will stop all viruses. One can equally say that there are many instances of people getting viruses with paid ones. But good browsing habits in conjunction with a free antivirus system will keep you just as safe as using a paid system.

My preference is to be safe without having to pay and that's what I do.
 
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