Thanks ExecLine. I'm looking at the first link now to see if I can fix it myself. Alternatively, do you think doing a system restore to a very recent date help fix the problem? One other options that come to mind is to restore the laptop to factory settings using the hidden partition. Last resort, I guess get in touch with Computerdoctors. I've tried speaking to McAfee who have very cleverly refused to do anything saying that McAfee product is no longer on my laptop, hence it is not their issue! Dell want to charge me a big fee for fixing it! What a mess!

I doubt that there is much wrong. It is probably just something minor with your internet connection settings.

Thanks Haystack. You're probably right about this. The one thing I forgot to mention is that the laptop has started freezing after uninstalling McAfee. Damn McAfee! Will stay well clear of that blasted product!

I have always disliked MacAfee, Norton as well. They just slow the PC down.

Klal,

Not sure if it will help in your case, but when you uninstall McAfee you also need to download a file from their website (MCPR.exe) to complete the removal. Try looking at this link.

Tried that Hils - hasn't resolved the problem. :-(

Guys, do you think doing a system restore will help? The most recent restore point is from late last night which was before a Windows update and today's MdAfee debacle)

In XP cntrl+Alt +del will bring up Sysytem manager. Might be worth having a look to see if there is anything recognisable as a file which is still running from McAfee. Also I have often noticed that an uninstall does not take out all the files. Go to My computer, Program files and have a look for McAfee folder and delete any remaining files within that folder manually.
Not sure how Windows 7 works as have not yet tried it.

Klal,

I asked my son and the response was:

1) What OS and browser are you using? Could it simply be a case that your browser is set to working offline?

2) Can you see if any processes (and what they are called) are hogging all of your resources before the freeze?

3) Have you tried re-installing McAfee to see what happens now that you've run the product removal tool?

Thanks Hils.

I am an ex-IT guy though only application software. So H/W, networking is not my cuppa tea exactly.

1. It's Win7. Definitely not working offline mode!
2. Will look out for any processes that hog....shortly
3. I could try re-installing McAfee, it'll be a pain.

But, I've just restarted the machine in Safe Mode and find I CAN browse fine!

I'm going try this solution: Solved!

Guess what! Sorted the problem out. Turns out Norton Internet 2010 (which I installed after removing McAfee) was the culprit. Never expected that. Used the Norton Removal Tool and got rid of NIS 2010. Rebooted and everything worked fine. For the moment I am on Windows Security Essentials. Would appreciate suggestions on what alternative internet security product to use.

I just use Security essentials and Zone Alarm and periodically scan with a couple of other anti virus apps.

My McAfee comes free bundled with BT Yahoo. Never had a problem.

klal: you end-user you! You didn't mention you'd installed Norton! Never mind, it's all working and that's what matters.

Windows Security Essentials has a (surprisingly) good reputation, and I'd recommend sticking with it.

I would use the free version of Malwarebytes to scan occasionally - it's a pretty good product.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Personally, I've canned Norton (when the sub became due) on two machines and switched to AVG. Sadly, the latest version of AVG (2011) seems to have acquired some of the attributes of Norton (basically, getting in the way) according to some reports, although it hasn't yet offended me.

I'm using AVG Internet Security on Windows XP Pro.

I've got a little advisory screen for it which says:

Security components and status overview

Anti-Virus - Active
Anti-Spyware - Active
Anti-Spam - Active
Firewall - Active
LinkScanner - Active
Resident Shield - Active
E-Mail Scanner - Active
Update Manager - Active
License - Active
Online Shield - Active
Anti-Rootkit - Active
System Tools - Active
PC Analyzer - Active
Identity Protection - Active

So basically, just at one glance I can see everything is actually working and (theoretically) how well protected I am.

Thinks...I am probably being conned by this stuff just like millions of other Internet users. However, it looks good, is easy to manage and seems to work quite well and fast too.

Whenever I use Google this AVG stuff tells me which are the safe sites and which are Verisign registered sites on all of the Google answers. So that's nice.

Now I happen to know that any Anti-Virus system is not going to be 100% successful. However, it is best to have one and also one that you are happy to use. This seems to fit the bill for my simple mind.

The AVG version is 10.0.1191 and is '2011'

Here's a link to a page which tells you what all the above stuff means:

http://www.softwarediscountcodes.com/avg-antivirus2011.html#UK

MM, I stand guilty! Guess I wasn't thinking straight and in my mind, saw McAfee as the culprit while the evidence pointed elsewhere.

Rather than rely on Windows Firewall, I've now stuck in Comodo. All working well.

Thanks guys for your patient help.

Sorry..wrong thread!

In my opinion Prevx is the best solution, its not free though.

NOW I know I'm getting old! My eight-year old daughter moans about her Club Penguin site loading real slow. She figured out it's the Comodo Firewall I installed yesterday. She practically commands me to turn it off and use something else. I obeyed. Went back to Windows Firewall and her sites now load lightning fast. One happy kid but one depressed dad! :-)

Ah well - such is life. Look on the bright side. Give her another year and she'll sort all your IT problems for you.