which is the best free anti-virus?

Jonathan Wilson wrote:
> I used to be using Norton Systemworks but that expired and I have just
> installed the free version of AVG.

Be sure to Google the difficulties that result from trying to switch
from Norton to something else.

I wouldn't know <G> I switched away from Norton several disk formats/
reinstalls ago, but there sure is a lot of belly aching over the problems.
 >> Stay informed about: which is the best free anti-virus? 

I just uninstalled LiveReg, LiveUpdate and Norton System Works 2005 from
add/remove programs and then deleted a few folders labeled symantec.
AVG seems to be running great
 >> Stay informed about: which is the best free anti-virus? 

Jonathan Wilson wrote:
> I used to be using Norton Systemworks but that expired and I have just
> installed the free version of AVG.
> Does the free version of AVG pick up all the nasties norton does?
> Is it the best of the free anti-viruses (as far as picking up viruses
> goes?)
Been using AVG for over a year now on a variety of machines. Works fine
and updates at least once a day, sometimes more. Dumped Norton (had been
using it since version 4.5) as it was beginning to be intrusive in terms
of resource usage. Avast is also a good aV to look at.
 >> Stay informed about: which is the best free anti-virus? 

Noel Paton wrote:
> "Pete" <pete.RemoveThis@nospam.net> wrote in message
> news:11tqqioruc18va1@corp.supernews.com...
>> Noel Paton wrote:
>>> "Pete" <pete.RemoveThis@nospam.net> wrote in message
>>> news:11tq9tgnp905u5d@corp.supernews.com...
>> So the question is for the average user who wouldn't know that -
>> would it really make any difference if you didn't use SymNRT (and
>> delete the 1400 entries you mention),and just did a normal uninstall
>> using add remove programs and then windows explorer...Pete
>
> the answer is yes! - because many AV's will refuse to install on a
> system with Norton's registry entries present

Obviously not the free AVG, because I have it on my old Me, and only did a
normal uninstall. I guess I will do the SymNRT thing (maybe) when my Norton
runs out on my xp. Take care Noel, and see if you can comment on my OE
question in the Me ng (I was surprised you didn't comment).

Pete
 >> Stay informed about: which is the best free anti-virus? 

Pete wrote:
> Noel Paton wrote:
>> "Pete" <pete.TakeThisOut@nospam.net> wrote in message
>> news:11tqqioruc18va1@corp.supernews.com...
>>> Noel Paton wrote:
>>>> "Pete" <pete.TakeThisOut@nospam.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:11tq9tgnp905u5d@corp.supernews.com...
>>> So the question is for the average user who wouldn't know that -
>>> would it really make any difference if you didn't use SymNRT (and
>>> delete the 1400 entries you mention),and just did a normal uninstall
>>> using add remove programs and then windows explorer...Pete
>> the answer is yes! - because many AV's will refuse to install on a
>> system with Norton's registry entries present
>
> Obviously not the free AVG, because I have it on my old Me, and only did a
> normal uninstall. I guess I will do the SymNRT thing (maybe) when my Norton
> runs out on my xp.

My experience with SymNRT was not pleasant. I uninstalled a bunch of
software including a trial version of NAV that came preinstalled on a
new computer (XPH SP2). I ran SymNRT to do a more thorough uninstall of
NAV and it ended up disabling the BITS Windows service. I was unable to
restart BITS and the result was that Windows Update would not work.

I then reset the computer to its factory state and uninstalled the
software including NAV through control panel-add/remove but did *not*
use SymNRT this time. BITS remained running, I was able to install
eTrust EZ AV and Windows Update worked.

Moral of the story for me: Don't run SymNRT unless you have to and even
then I'd be careful.

HTH

YMMV.


--
Jay
 >> Stay informed about: which is the best free anti-virus? 

Jay wrote:
> Pete wrote:
>> Noel Paton wrote:
>>> "Pete" <pete RemoveThis @nospam.net> wrote in message
>>> news:11tqqioruc18va1@corp.supernews.com...
>>>> Noel Paton wrote:
>>>>> "Pete" <pete RemoveThis @nospam.net> wrote in message
>>>>> news:11tq9tgnp905u5d@corp.supernews.com...
>>>> So the question is for the average user who wouldn't know that -
>>>> would it really make any difference if you didn't use SymNRT (and
>>>> delete the 1400 entries you mention),and just did a normal
>>>> uninstall using add remove programs and then windows
>>>> explorer...Pete
>>> the answer is yes! - because many AV's will refuse to install on a
>>> system with Norton's registry entries present
>>
>> Obviously not the free AVG, because I have it on my old Me, and only
>> did a normal uninstall. I guess I will do the SymNRT thing (maybe)
>> when my Norton runs out on my xp.
>
> My experience with SymNRT was not pleasant. I uninstalled a bunch of
> software including a trial version of NAV that came preinstalled on a
> new computer (XPH SP2). I ran SymNRT to do a more thorough uninstall
> of NAV and it ended up disabling the BITS Windows service. I was
> unable to restart BITS and the result was that Windows Update would
> not work.
> I then reset the computer to its factory state and uninstalled the
> software including NAV through control panel-add/remove but did *not*
> use SymNRT this time. BITS remained running, I was able to install
> eTrust EZ AV and Windows Update worked.
>
> Moral of the story for me: Don't run SymNRT unless you have to and
> even then I'd be careful.

Thanks for the good info Jay...I just changed my "maybe" to "I will not use
SymNRT" - lol . I also have xpsp2 home edition...Pete

>
> HTH
>
> YMMV.
 >> Stay informed about: which is the best free anti-virus?