I like Zog_10’s list.
What we were recommended for our store computers (all networked and on DSL) by my boss’ sister who works on computers for the gov.:
Zone Alarm
Spybot
AdAware
AVG Antivirus
I got them all off download.com and haven’t really had any problems since.
The only thing is Zone Alarm will toss up quite a few prompts when something is trying to connect either way. It’s only a pain until you set them all for ‘allow’ or ‘deny’ and check the box for it to remember that setting. I don’t think it’s that big a deal but my husband has very little patience. :rolleyes:
If “cuts off and back on by itself” you mean it loses power for a moment then comes back on spontaneously, that’s a hardware problem. Your CPU may be overheating, or your power supply may be going bad. You might want to call your computer manufacturer’s support line.
If you go to antivirus.com you cal select their “housecall” product and do a free online virus scan as well. Also, tell your roomate to stop downloading MP3s and porn.
Available Jones, I think it is actually just rebooting Windows, not cutting off…sorry I mispoke…er…typed. I am not very itelligent when it comes to computers.
And Binarydrone, my thoughts exactly :dubious:
Also, in Windows XP, i do all my everyday tasks in a Limited user account. Limited accounts, unlike Administrator accounts, do not allow the installation of software, making it less likely that something can install itself on your computer without your knowledge.
Well, when you mean it’s sick, do you mean that it’s constantly sniffling, sneezing and a grayish-green viscous compound keeps dripping from the optical.floppy drive?
if so, cook up a nice hot can of chicken soup, and pour it liberally over the computer, making sure to get it in the vents and disk drives (the sparks mean it’s working…)
(kidding, liquids and computers are not a good combo)
Last night I downloaded a new one (to me, anyways) also off of download.com: Spyware Doctor
I installed it on one of our work computers we call the ‘dirty machine’ for a good reason.
On that machine I ran all the above programs I listed. AdAware seemed to keep running in to something that caused the computer to stop responding.
A little something called SAHAgent brought to you by the lovely a-holes at ShopAtHomeSelect.com :mad:
Anywho, after running all above programs I ran Spyware Doctor. At last count (as I had to leave work for the night) it had found about 79 infected items and was still running strong so it might be one to consider.
If it turns out when I get to work that I have a new paperweight, I’ll let you know.
Okay, scratch last post unless you’re willing to pay at least $9.95 for it. :smack:
It finds it for free, but removing viruses or doing ANYTHING requires a license. :rolleyes: