TOK: It's as annoying as Norton, but in other ways. It was the default install on my OH's Dell desktop box, so we went with it as one of my respected techie colleagues used it instead of Norton. The constant rebooting for updates got on Mrs MM's , er y'know.

AVG updates most of the time without reboot and does it all much more unobtrusively. Also, it's the only AV package any of the software engineers in my company will now use. I just do what I'm told! :-)

Running Avast free on W7 64 bit, no problems.

Have also used AVG free as well on XP and that was great. Stopped using Norton years ago because it hogged resources. Having said that my PC tech guy uses Norton as he's constantly having to clean people's PCs up and he reckons not much gets past Norton. His needs are a bit heavier than most users needs.

The current versions of Norton are certainly not resource hogs. I use Norton Internet Security 2011 for the usual protection against malware and viruses. I also use Norton DNS that blocks out known dodgy sites. Finally, all my search results are filtered by Norton Web Safe. Norton rules my machines! :-)

Norton just rules!

Being a tight git i use the version from Avast works very well.

Have been an AVG and AVAST user for 12yrs now and very pleased with them both, never (touching wood now) had an trojens or the like get through. Plus they don't cost a penny. BB

For everyone who are getting these scam calls, please phone "Action Fraud" on
0300 123 2040," Action Fraud This will help trace and catch the B****eds who prey on those not so savvy as us. I'm including a link to the magazine "Computeractive" which explains all. Cheers BB.

http://www.computeractive.co.uk/ca/news/2071945/action-fraud-revamps-website-people-report-cold-scams

Haven't tried that version of Norton Skinny. Didn't know there were so many options.

:-)

Thanks chaps most helful

kind regards

klal: I agree with you that Norton is no longer a resource hog. They had to introduce a CPU usage monitor showing Norton vs. rest usage to prove it.

So I don't think it's a bad product these days, just that AVG (and sitting behind a NAT router) plus a bit of common sense about dodgy attachments, links etc is pretty good protection.

Cheers for the link BB

MM - Can't remember the last time McAfee had me re-boot. And it comes free with my BT plan.

TOK: It may well be an XP thing.

Downloaded AVAST free thanks,am I right in thinking it only lasts for a month and then you have to pay, seemed to read that somewhere amomg the ` bumph`

No. register and it's still free, lasts 1 year then you need to simply re-register.

cheers seymour, yes I did register

ta

Here's a problem I've never been able to solve. I have a problem with thrips getting between the glass and my LCD screen. They crawl about for about a day and then they die. They look about the size of an 8 pt comma and cause a considerable irritation. No problem on a dark background but on a light page with text,,,,,. Once dead, can't move the little beggars. Can't access the right area to clean them off.

1. Seal the unit in a capsule filled with Nitrogen at atmospheric pressure.

2. Don't squash the bug. It will make a hell of a mess that is far worse than just the bug. :-)

3. Actually, the bug is not inside your monitor, it is simply behind the glass. You can remove this with some suction pads that stick to your screen and remove the safety glass. You can then easily take away the bug. This can be done simply, but would definitely be considered the last option. Carefully make sure it's perfectly clean before you put it back together. Look for some tips on how to do this job on YouTube.

4. Lastly, just to be patient and wait it out. 'Thunderbugs' as they are known, do not live forever. Try to not use your computer for a few days, and the lack of heat and light radiated from the screen will kill/make the bug go away. Cold and dark are definitely two things it doesn't like. You will just have to hope it doesn't die slap bang in the middle of screen or the suction pads will be a more definite option for you.

ExecLine - Thanks for the input, however, on my old (sony) lcd I took the front glass off and the little beggars were behind whatever the transparent covering of the lcd screen was. Of the 4 three died in situ and the other crept away somewhere. Never could see any means of going deeper.

Yesterdays visitor (touch wood) seems to have crawled away too. I was somewhat peeved because my new system is an Acer all-in-one pc, touchscreen and all the bells & whistles. I would be very upset if I had a bunch of commas permantly on view. Don't fancy trying to take this machine to bits at all.

what on earth is a thrip?