[fluffy]

I bought a laptop 1yr ago, and have had nothing but problems with it. I've taken it in to several different companies to fix, and not one has fully sorted the problems [only got it working again (just), with a few things missing- allowing some programs not to work!]. I am living in Portugal, and it is very difficult to find honest working people out here, let alone someone who knows fully what they are doing (ie professionals). So I have turned to your forum hoping to learn for my self & get some good opinions on what to do.

I'm now thinking of taking it to Staples to clean my computer of everything and start again.

I want to protect it better this time. Some friends have said you can get much better protection than Norton, and that Norton only covers a small area. Also that I need several diffrent things to protect it fully. I've also been told that you can get most of the best for free. What do you suggest I should do?

[Dave Hybrid]

Do not use Norton, free alternatives such as http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html are much better and FREE.

Also get http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html for spyware protection.

Install and clean your PC with those, then come back if its still having problems.

[Wolfeymole]

Hi Fluffy

Welcome to TCF

First and foremost do you have the reinstallation disks for your laptop because if you want to do a fresh start you will need it/them.
For an Anti Virus obtain AVG
For a Firewall obtain Zone Alarm (get the basic version) or if you want to buy it get the full version, it goes without saying that's it's obviously better.
To see, get the 30 day trial first.
For Malware/Spyware protection obtain Ad-Aware and Spybot (Search and Destroy) get version 1.4

[Dave Hybrid]

Also you only need to post your message once, in one chosen correct forum.

[fluffy]

No I don't have the disc. Staples had already installed everythig when I bought it. They can do it again for me at a small cost.

[Emrys88]

How much is the "Small cost".
Might be better to by the discs off the web, incase it happens again.

[alex]

Dave/Wolfie: Initially, what about just doing a rollback of Windows? (a full one, can back up docs etc on disc/external hdd) As far back as possible? Then Ccleaner, then the freeware.

[Wolfeymole]

This sounds like the disgusting practice that PC World operate where they keep the discs and charge you should anything happen.
I would definately consider getting a new copy of XP.

Edit:
You mean going back to the earliest Restore Point Alex?
It's feasable that's for sure but Fluffy would still be hampered on a long term basis by the lack of a disk.

[kknight0506]

first of all format ur laptop to make sure that is no unwanted stuff in it.then re install operating system and then make it sure that u use some good antivirus and keep on updating it from the net

[fluffy]

Since I got rid of Norton (thanks to you guys), I've installed Avast, Spybot (search& destroy 1.4), AVG (anti-spyware), Win Patrol, & Zone Alarm (firewall). For some reason I can't seem to install AdAware (SE personal edition). Does anyone know why? Should I be rid of something first (like another program/software)?

Also, now that I have Zone alarm Firewall, should I be getting rid of my windows firewall?

[Wolfeymole]

Zone Alarm should turn your windows Firewall off Fluffy which is ok.
What exact problems are you getting when trying to install AdAware?

[fluffy]

I forgot to add.... my computer is working a lot more efficiently now, since I got rid of Norton & replaced it with these! x

[Wolfeymole]

Great stuff Fluffy, is AdAware still giving you problems?
I have installed it loads of time without problem.