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General discussion

Windows Vista and Anti-Virus software

Feb 10, 2007 4:32AM PST

I just got my new Windows Vista computer from Dell and it seems to be working good. However it came with a 30 day free trial of Norton 2007. I don't like Norton and I will not be using it after my 30 days or sooner perhaps if someone can advise me of a good alterative. And I'm also getting that same error message about the Sonic Drivers when the computer starts up.

AMD Dual Core 3800+
2 Gig RAM
Windows Vista Home Prem.
DSL Connection; DSL modem has a firewall built it.

Discussion is locked

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I HAVE A DELL TOO
Feb 10, 2007 7:05AM PST

Get rid of Norton. That's the first thing I did when I got my Dell 2 months ago. Avast and AVG work with Vista. For the Sonic drivers check out the Dell Community Forum, many posts about that issue. One thing they suggest is to get rid if DLA, It doesn't work with Vista.

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Firewall suggestion?
Feb 10, 2007 7:42AM PST

I've used Avast before on my XP machine and liked it fairly well. I was using ZA security suite on the XP system since Avast didn't catch a virus I had gotten on my computer. And according to AV comparatives Avast and AVG do not catch as many viruses as some of the other programs. What about a firewall program for Vista? Has anyone used Trend Micro? Does it slow the system down a lot?

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Consider Windows Live OneCare
Feb 10, 2007 8:22AM PST

It comes with a stronger firewall than that built in to Vista, along with anti-virus, anti-spyware, "Performance Plus" tuneup and "Backup & Restore" that will burn to CD/DVD if you don't have an external HD. The cost is $50 per year for up to 3 computers.

I gave up ZoneAlarm because they didn't have tuneups or backups and would have cost me about $60 per computer for a year!

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Give Live Onecare a try
Feb 10, 2007 8:25AM PST

My advice would be to get rid of Norton right away, and download a 90 day free trial of Windows Live Onecare.
I recently did just that and now have all my PC's running Onecare.
I have had absolutely no problems with it, and is easy to use.
Soon I will subscribe, and run 3 PC's for less than I would pay for one with Norton...
Plus it loads much faster... D

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Everything I read about Windows Live One Care
Feb 10, 2007 8:32AM PST

is that it doesn't find anything because it is not very good. So, you might think it is doing its job but.... Check the reviews on C/Net, ZD/Net, PC World and PC Magazine.

I'll keep Norton.

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Windows One care?
Feb 10, 2007 8:50AM PST

According to the info I've read One Care doesn't sound very good. According to Virus Bullentin's website both One Care and McAfee failed the tests on Windows Vista so those 2 are off my list.

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99% accuracy is failure!
Feb 10, 2007 4:45PM PST

Windows OneCare is very good, and yes the anti-virus failed the virus bulletin's test because it ONLY passes if it catches 100%. It cought 99% and since then Microsoft has come out with OneCare 1.5, which is said to have resolved the 1% it missed.

Windows OneCare offers more than just anti-virus, anti-spyware and strong firewall. It will tuneup and defrag your computer and do scheduled or manual backups of important data to CD/DVD or an external hard drive. And a subscription covers 3 computers! Add that to the security features of Vista and you will be well protected.

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Antivirus
Feb 10, 2007 9:20AM PST

Norton is terrible....adds too much junk to your system and is very hard to completely remove...but do it. I have used AVG for 6 years and I have never had a virus or problem with it.