Found the problem with slow running laptop

[tmmar]

I was having a problem with laptop. For some reason it was running very slowly when looking at different sites on the internet. I went into task manager and looked at the processes that were running. It seems that McAfee real time scanning was taking up between 65% and 95% of my cpu. When I go into McAfee and turn off realtime scanning, my laptop runs like a r&ped ape. I could not believe the differnce in the speed of my pc. McAfee always seems to be doing something- downloading updates, installing updates (these would almost lock my hard drive completely in busy mode) or doing something else. My pc came with McAfee installed, but you can be assured that when my license expires, I will not renew. I will use AVG in the future.

[F and E Damp]

You might want to become a member of the bulletin board "Windows BBS". Their site is at www.windowsbbs.com I've been on it a couple of years and the knowledgeable folks on there have been a great help. They have experts going as far back as WIN98 and on a lot of supporting software and hardware.

[piscesman]

I had the same issues, and erased everything McAfee from my computer...and installed AVG. I have a new Toshiba laptop w/ Norton 2011....seems to be running OK, but then again, it's 10x the processor and 100x the RAM!

[F and E Damp]

I used AVG a few years back when they did a free version. I found that, as it aged it got more and more difficulkt to use, then started infesting the computer with crap.

When we had Verizon with MSN, we had a version of McAfee spcifically tailored to the MSN interface. Now we're with Comcast, we use the version of Norton spcifcally tailored for Comcast/Xfinity.

DW's netbook is taking a long time to boot. It gets to all its resident stuff in about 2 minutes, but the internet related progams take anwher from 12 to 20 minutes. I'm working closely with a couple of guys on Windows BBS and they've suggested some diagnostics. When I look at device manager, I find up to 15 examples of "svchost.exe" running, and the cursor on the screen blinks every time another one shows up.

The BBS guys think we may have some malware running, so I'm going to take a closer look when I can get DW's hands off the keyboard!

[HemiCab]

Malwarebytes anti malware is an excellent free utility to rid your system of malware. Don't pay for it just get free version. HC

[onetonford]

I use Microsofts Security essentials antivirus and it is free. You can download it from Microsoft. works with vista and windows seven I don't remember if it works with xp or not.

[Jeep4Two]

Microsofts security essentials is all I use. That and some common sense keep the computers running great at no charge.

Anti malware bytes is nice for removing those bugs that do manage to get in though I've never needed it for my personal computers.

[Coops1]

I've been using the free version of Avast for about 4 years and have had no problems. I can't remember the last time I had any problems

[oldprof1]

Onetonford is right in my books. For once microsoft seems to have released a winner. Avg is a memory hog and McAfee is too.

[Jeep4Two]

Originally Posted by onetonford

I use Microsofts Security essentials antivirus and it is free. You can download it from Microsoft. works with vista and windows seven I don't remember if it works with xp or not.

Yes, works with xp, sp2 or higher.

[Idle_Idylist]

Mac!

[Bill_C]

Get a Mac and don't worry about virus software.

[Coops1]

It's not always about virus's, most attack's these day's happen through the browser and Safari has had more than it fare share of holes.

Apple had a poor showing at Pwn2Own, with both the mobile and desktop versions of Safari hacked, Ars Technica reports. French security firm VUPEN took down desktop Safari with a combination of well-known techniques for bypassing operating system protection and new code to make these techniques work on 64-bit systems. The iPhone fell to Charlie Miller and Dion Blazakis, who compromised the smartphone through a special web page. Apple has since protected itself against the particular exploit used by Miller and Blazakis, but the underlying security flaw still exists.

Read more: http://techland.time.com/2011/03/14/pwn2own-roundup-apple-fails-google-stays-strong/#ixzz1eaqFFQ9y

[phrogpilot73]

I use avast, and I've never seen it grow in bulk/processor requirements over the years. I also use Comodo personal firewall instead of the built in Windows one. My laptop takes 1:42 seconds to boot and if I have problems browsing, it means it's time to reboot the router...

[carbonman]

x2 Microsoft Security Essentials

[Dodge Guy]

Yep, McAfee sucks! I took it off my laptop because it was always slow or locking up. I haven`t found something to replace it yet.