Antivirus System? (Free?)

[ThisIsBS]

I would like to know what Anti Virus system you use, and please tell me if its free or not. I just recently formatted my C:/ Drive (so everything I have is gone, but I backed up the things I needed aka iTunes ) on my home computer, and everything is brand new. I have a **** load of things I have to update, and in the mean time look for software I may need.

I'm using Windows XP (Running SP2 right now, still updating ) Home Edition. If you need any more specs, just ask

P.S. Since we're talking about computers, what programs do you find very useful to you? (Gaming, Photo Editting Software, Speed up, etc.)

My list right now is CCleaner, this music amp thing for my music files, iTunes, TortoiseSVN, and more..

[Mirage-]

I us CA(Brand.... Not sure what the specific one is) and eTrust Antivirus and Norton(JK).
I also have zone alarm internet protection

Umm they all costs money though but works really well.

My friends will swear my MacAffee though which is free, so I recommend that one for you.

As far as other programs go, I use Adobe Products (I design webpages for money) so try photoshop (I know its expensive), I have a couple games (i.e. Starcraft and Tremulous), but I don't have anything to speed up my computer (i don't trust half of them and my comp is beast enough to handle almost anything I throw at it [except Crysis on High ])

[ThisIsBS]

GIMP > Photoshop . I've finished all my downloads, and at the highest version of Windows XP (took me 3 hours to download stuff JUST from Windows Updates.

I'll try McAFee, better than nothing

[Mirage-]

I have never used gimp so I would not know. But the long and the short of it is I have photoshop so I am not getting gimp.

Yeah try McAfee if that how you spell it.

[Mirage-]

Did you reformat your laptop? Or your desktop?

[ThisIsBS]

I can't format my laptop because it isn't mine (its the school's, and I don't have the permissions anyways).

Startup + login used to take 30 minutes! Now it just takes 5 minutes. Big speed boost

So far, I've installed iTunes, a NVIDIA graphics card update, CCleaner, Defraggler, uTorrent, VLC, and Google Chrome

[Mirage-]

Oh ok. Does this mean you won't be inactive after school is out?

[ThisIsBS]

Umm, I didn't even go to school today. I guess I can play, but I wanna play with my *new* computer

I don't think McAFee is free

[Mirage-]

Oh I might be thinking of the wrong one. There is one that my friends use and thats what I thought it was called.

[Dogma]

I can't format my laptop because it isn't mine (its the school's, and I don't have the permissions anyways).

Startup + login used to take 30 minutes! Now it just takes 5 minutes. Big speed boost

So far, I've installed iTunes, a NVIDIA graphics card update, CCleaner, Defraggler, uTorrent, VLC, and Google Chrome

Quit looking at pron tibs and you won't have to do this. WTF 5 minutes. Might I ask your specs on that ancient pos? Mine takes about one minute fully operational. It was much better when I first reinstalled but my wife likes her Sims3 and whatever other games she keeps putting on here. We all use McAfee total protection multiple pc bundle (about $90 a year). It works rather well except it's a memory stealing while it runs in the background. I tried norton, trend micro, and some others a long time ago. I was unimpressed with pricing and performance. Problem with a lot of your free or online/free scanners they want you to buy the next best thing. They sometimes will tell you there is viruses or registry problems with your computer and now you have to buy the better one to remove them. This is bs, but a trickery of sales. With McAfee you can always download a 30 day trial you don't like it remove it. Adaware Se and Spybot SD are free but do not use firewall. They are good for removing registry errors and the other crap you don't need.
Really all in all they all suck at some things but work with others. As with most things in life you get what you paid for.

[Moose]

I use Norton, the best ever...

[ThisIsBS]

I have a Windows XP Pavillion. I'll give you more specs later, but it was bought somewhere around 2000 (or earlier)

[Dogma]

You can always upgrade for a reasonable price if it can take anymore components. Belarc advisor is a free program that will tell you most of your computer specs and my wifes work comp has it on it (large company owned).

[ThisIsBS]

Here are my specs (or some of them )

I can always give you more complete details

[Dogma]

You can upgrade your ram for about $30-$70 to 2gb PC2100 0r PC2700 (which is the max for that board). You can get an APG graphics card for $30-$70. All in all that's about the most you can do to it unless you have a SATA port and feel like upgrading the hard drive. I put a WD velociraptor into a cooling mount onto one of my 5.25" slots for my OS. It's pretty and works well.