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General discussion

internet is slow with vista

Jul 13, 2007 11:48AM PDT

i have comcast hi speed, a beast of a new computer with gigabit ethernet, and a big processor and the internet is slow regardless of my browser. the internet, so far, was a lot faster with XP.

any hints or tips for speeding it up on my new machine?

thanks

Discussion is locked

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Can we compare notes?
Jul 13, 2007 10:47PM PDT

I have a new $599 Acer laptop with Vista. It's dual core 1G RAM GMA graphics and all I did after setup with dismiss Norton with prejudice then install Free AVG. I then installed SeaMonkey (a variant of Firefox) and uninstalled the Yahoo toolbar in IE.

It works just fine so what's different from yours?

Bob

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quad core...
Jul 14, 2007 12:18AM PDT

2 gigs of ram, firefox,avast, zonealarm. got rid of norton in a hurry. using win patrol as well.

any unnecessary files that could be removed or disabled in vista?

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oh, sorry...
Jul 14, 2007 12:19AM PDT

i am using a 14 ft cord to connect to my router. i don't imagine that that would cause any great slowdown.

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Slow Internet
Jul 14, 2007 2:37AM PDT

The other suggestions are great; however if you do not want to remove and replace:
In Internet Explorer: Tools> Delete Browsing History> Dlete All.
Following that if you will notice in the lower right of the Explorer Page "Unknown Zone | Protected Mode: ON
Can clear this up by going to Tools> Internet Options> Select the Security Tab, click on Trusted Sites, Select SITES in the box below the Zones and then Add the site.
This does speed up the process. I removed and replaced Norton with the CA Security Suite, but it was still very slow, to the point where I was almost ready to give up. Then I did the above.

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If you are using IE
Jul 14, 2007 5:05AM PDT

disable or stop the anti-phishing feature.

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i am using firefox...
Jul 14, 2007 8:35AM PDT

but have also tried IE and Opera. all are slower than with XP.

what about windows defender. could that be a possible culprit?

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this feels very undignified, but...
Jul 14, 2007 10:40AM PDT

it's getting faster. go figure. perhaps it's my metabolism. Happy whatever it is (no scientific method to this one folks), i'm a happy guy.

the graphical clarity is amazing, and superior, IMHO, to XP. i have a good video card for XP too. better than the one i'm using for Vista currently. go figure again.

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I dismissed Defender too.
Jul 14, 2007 12:01PM PDT

With prejudice. It doesn't call ALEXA spyware but I do.

Bob

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(NT) how do you disable defender bob?
Jul 14, 2007 12:17PM PDT
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From within the interface...
Jul 14, 2007 12:28PM PDT

Not Bob, but:

Launch Windows Defender then go Tools->Options. Be sure to uncheck the boxes "Automatically scan my computer," "Use real-time protection," and "Use Windows Defender. There's no simple 'off' switch, but those three will do the job. You can then choose an alternative spyware blocker of your choice.

Hope this helps,
John

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a good spyware blocker john?
Jul 14, 2007 12:51PM PDT

i use spybot, but i'm also used to using ad aware se. alas. no ad aware for vista. the beta is not available. what's a good substitute for ad aware?

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(NT) thanks for the tips on defender by the way.
Jul 14, 2007 12:52PM PDT
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I like AVG...
Jul 14, 2007 12:57PM PDT
AVG Antispyware doesn't offer real-time protection in the free version, which is weak anyway, but I like their full system scanner better than that of Defender. My primary spyware protection is Webroot Spysweeper, but it's not available in a freeware package. The choice is up to you.

John
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rats no freeware, but...
Jul 14, 2007 1:03PM PDT

thank you again. very helpful. have a good night.

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Webroot Spyware on Vista? Ease of Use on XP and Vista?
Jul 25, 2007 2:02AM PDT

Are you running Webroot Spyware on your Vista PC?

What do you prefer this to AVG? How would you compare its ease of use to that of AVGs?

Would you recommend Webroot to a total non-techy on XP? To a semi-techy (me) who joined CNet to take more responsibility for the laptops in the household and who looks after the XP (but would rather the non-techy learned these things)? To the semi-techy on a Vista system?

Thanks!

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Yes, Yes, Better, Yes, Yes, and Yes.
Jul 25, 2007 2:15AM PDT

It's actually Webroot SpySweeper, but I'll answer yes to all of your questions. It's easy to install and 'works right out of the box' so to speak, protecting you without having to go through an extensive setup process. All you have to do is setup a weekly scan...it'll remind you if you don't after two weeks. The options are kept simple but it still lets you enable/disable abilities individually. Its real-time protection far exceeds that of AVG, remaining fairly unobtrusive except when it really matters. The 2007 also optionally includes a virus scan (they have two different versions), and even lets you adjust the performance/time ratio to prevent your computer from slowing down. It's not free, but it's the best spyware protection I've found. (AVG ranks as the best free option.)

John

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John, thanks for instructions...
Jul 14, 2007 11:46PM PDT

I find the first two boxes to uncheck but am not seeing "Use Windows Defender" to uncheck. What am I missing? Maybe new vision Rx is needed. Wink

Thanks,

Glenn

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It should be at the bottom...
Jul 15, 2007 1:29AM PDT

It's at the very bottom of the list in the category of Administrative Options, right under "Advanced Options" and that text box exclusion list. You have to be an administrator to disable it, but hopefully it didn't decide to play a game of Hide and Seek with you first. Happy

John

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Am I embarrassed?? :(:(
Jul 15, 2007 3:02AM PDT

Told you I my need new vision Rx. Of all the stupid things... did not see the scroll bar or move down page. Sorry John! Blush Can't believe I did it!!!

Glenn

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still slow - all wishful thinking discarded.
Jul 15, 2007 5:18AM PDT

comcast blazes on XP compared to vista. no comparison actually.

um... what is the Slowskys' phone number so i can give tips from them on how to live with the internet slowdown on vista. Happy i haven't seen them on tv lately. i hope they haven't crawled away somewhere.

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Have you tried disabling IPv6?
Jul 15, 2007 7:32AM PDT

Chances are Comcast is still using IPv4 in your area, so one thought may be to disable IPv6. Some have reported dramatic differences after doing so.

Now, to find Slowsky's phone number... Happy

John

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made some adjustments...
Jul 18, 2007 9:40PM PDT

to program controls within zone alarm and turned off the web shield on avast, and now the internet flies! Happy