OK... here's the computers newest AGRIVATING trick...

[Mr. P]

OK.... use Firefox, and dump Norton. I've tried Firefox and wasn't impressed. I like the new IE 6.0 just as much. And if I dump Norton, then what? MacAfee? Surely you're not telling me to run without an antivirus installed.

Avast and it's free. Updates itself too..pretty good program, I've used it for years.

[glockmail]

OK.... use Firefox, and dump Norton. I've tried Firefox and wasn't impressed. I like the new IE 6.0 just as much. And if I dump Norton, then what? MacAfee? Surely you're not telling me to run without an antivirus installed.

I don't have experience with either. I use AVG free edition.

[diuretic]

Avast is very good and it has a plug-in for Outlook if you are running MS Office.

[Pale Rider]

In any case... I don't think there's a better anti-virus than Norton, and my copy is registered and paid for. Might as well keep it.

And I think it's just a software thing why the internet window is lolly gagging around closing. I think next time I'm in Best Buy I'll ask one of the Geek Squad dudes. They're all pretty slick with this stuff.

[glockmail]

In any case... I don't think there's a better anti-virus than Norton, and my copy is registered and paid for. Might as well keep it.

And I think it's just a software thing why the internet window is lolly gagging around closing. I think next time I'm in Best Buy I'll ask one of the Geek Squad dudes. They're all pretty slick with this stuff.

If you're paid up with Norton why not call them?

[diuretic]

http://www.thepcspy.com/articles/oth...windows_down/3

uh-oh.......it's about boot time but I wonder if it might also affect shutdown?

The results of the security software were quite shocking. I've always known that being most involved with the system, antivirus and firewall programs are going to make things slower, but I was just completely astounded by the Norton result when compared against the other software on show.

[Pale Rider]

If you're paid up with Norton why not call them?

And say what?

[Pale Rider]

http://www.thepcspy.com/articles/oth...windows_down/3

uh-oh.......it's about boot time but I wonder if it might also affect shutdown?

Interesting diuretic... I'll have to look into that some more. Thanks. I may do away with Norton after all... when my update subscription runs out.

[diuretic]

You're welcome PR - I was a bit surprised to read it so with a bit of luck that might be the issue sorted out.

[Pale Rider]

You're welcome PR - I was a bit surprised to read it so with a bit of luck that might be the issue sorted out.

I don't recall anything I did to make it start doing this. No new programs, downloads, files, nothing. I think it just started. So the frequent updating of the Norton could have done it. At least there's some proof of it slowing things down.

COME TO THINK OF IT... THIS JUST HIT ME...

... I believe this little quirk started right after my last round of Microsoft Windows Updates!!

[Abbey Marie]

I don't recall anything I did to make it start doing this. No new programs, downloads, files, nothing. I think it just started. So the frequent updating of the Norton could have done it. At least there's some proof of it slowing things down.

COME TO THINK OF IT... THIS JUST HIT ME...

... I believe this little quirk started right after my last round of Microsoft Windows Updates!!

Pale, I just upgraded to IE 7, and everything is going soooo slow now. Especially opening new windows. I'm thinking of trying to go back to IE 6. Does anyone know if that is a bad idea?

Like you, I liked IE 6 better than Firefox, which had some problems.

[glockmail]

And say what?

Why is my computer doing this? Maybe you should uninstall Norton, see if it still happens. You could isolate the problem that way.

[glockmail]

Pale, I just upgraded to IE 7, and everything is going soooo slow now. Especially opening new windows. I'm thinking of trying to go back to IE 6. Does anyone know if that is a bad idea?

Like you, I liked IE 6 better than Firefox, which had some problems.

I upgraded to IE7 several weeks ago and have not experienced problems on my 3 year old/ 2GHz machine. I like the tabs but miss the menu.

Pale, are you running IE7? If so go to tools/delete browsing history/delete all/ also deleted crap stored by add ons. I do that daily and found that it speeds things up and removes spyware as well. IE6 has a similar operation.

[diuretic]

I was browsing one of my old computer magazines today and reading a sort of general article about cleaning up the computer so it runs well. The writer did mention that sometimes the Windows updates will cause the machine to not run as well as usual. I apply the updates as they are automatically downloaded, I suppose I'm a bit paranoid about security.

In terms of browsers, I use Firefox and also Opera. Opera is my preferred browser because it's a bit lighter than Firefox I find. It has full functionality and it's faster (I also stay away from the add-ons/extensions in Firefox).

[glockmail]

The other thing I do to improve speed is to have no background picture on my desktop. Just a cool, black nothing. Likewise my screen saver is blank. Probably saves power too.