what virus scanner

[waggers]

what virus scanner would you recommend i get that also works with win xp, as nortons and mac don't,quote pcpitstop.
regards waggers

 

[flamethrower205]

Don't use antivirus! I never do, and have never gotten a virus (and yes, I go everywhere on the internet).

U got a problem?! Then dial 1800-328-7448!

 

[Toejam31]

The only antivirus program I know of that currently works in WinXP is Norton AntiVirus 2002. How well, and if there are any conflicts ... I can't say.

The OS is very new ... and has not even been released yet for the mass market, even though it is shipping on OEM machines. I'm sure that other companies will come up to speed very soon.

Personally, I prefer Panda software for antivirus protection. But there is not yet a version for WinXP, although it functions perfectly in Win2K.

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http/www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http/www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
____________________________________________________

<font color=purple>"Have you noticed how much they look like orchids? Lovely!"</font color=purple>

 

[flamethrower205]

Theoretically then, shouldn't it work with XP, XP is basically Win2k.

U got a problem?! Then dial 1800-328-7448!

 

[Toejam31]

Close, but not <i>exactly</i>. Right now, the biggest WinXP conflicts are with pre-existing CD-R/RW burning programs, and utility/antivirus packages.

I think it would be best to avoid installing software like this until it is proven to run correctly in the new OS.

Consider the minor diferences between Win98SE and WinME. The kernel is basically the same ... but there were enough changes in the code that not all drivers and software that ran in Win98SE would work flawlessly in WinME. It's a similar situation between Win2K and WinXP.

I can already tell you that I attempted to install Win2K video card drivers in a beta of WinXP, and it didn't work. The only driver that would function was the signed 12.40 nVidia driver assigned to the card by default. That was before the 21.81 release.

I think it best not to deliberately attempt to cause a problem with the new OS, if it can be avoided. Besides, within the next couple of months, most antivirus packages should be up-to-date. As with all new operating systems, a fellow just has to be patient, and wait until the rest of the world finally catches up.

Which is pretty funny, if you think about it ... considering how long it took MS to develop this operating system. It only took seven years.

Oh, and by the way ... don't email me when you catch a virus! It'll happen, one day, no matter how careful you are. I've only seen one try to attack my machine, in the entire time I've used a computer (and it failed) ... but other people are not so lucky. I hope you have installed all the critical security updates for your OS, are running a firewall, have disabled scripting and file sharing, and refuse to open strange attachments. Otherwise, as my old daddy would say, you are cruisin' for a bruisin'. And your friends won't think much of your judgement when you send them that virus, completely without your knowledge.

That'll be cute, huh?

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http/www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http/www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
____________________________________________________

<font color=purple>"Have you noticed how much they look like orchids? Lovely!"</font color=purple>

 

[flamethrower205]

Hehehe, have NO security updates. Firewall isn't always up, and I open many of teh BS e-mails I get. hehe. Guess I've been lucky.

U got a problem?! Then dial 1800-328-7448!

 

[waggers]

thank you for your comments,i was surprised in my prep to upgrade to xp, that xp dos'nt work with any norton products,are they p-----d off with them or made a deal to screw a few more pounds/bucks out of us.i have a microsoft keyboard (silly me) win me did'nt support it now xp.age of empires 2 uninstall,re-install after installing xp,same with zone alarm.dos'nt support my hp 720c printer
if i am going to have to shell out more money for a virus program i would rather get one that did'nt screw up my system like nortons.i am not over concerned about not having a virus program running as i tend to agree with these posts,you should of heard the slagging off i got on one forum for suggesting that someone uninstalled his antivirus to see if that was his problem,and it turned out it was!!!!!
regards waggers

 

[Toejam31]

Supposedly, your printer <i>is</i> supported by WinXP, but the windows driver causes some loss of functionality:

<A HREF="http/www.hp.com/cgi-bin/cposupport/get_doc.pl?SNI=dj720c&LC=printers&Tfile=bpd09005" target="_new">http/www.hp.com/cgi-bin/cposupport/get_doc.pl?SNI=dj720c&LC=printers&Tfile=bpd09005</A>

Of course, you can't always believe everything you read. And it's hard for me to grasp that HP <i>still</i> does not have Win2K drivers for many of their scanners and printers. It's issues like this that caused me to switch to Epson and Canon printers a while back. No more HP for me. Yuck.

ZoneAlarm is also supposed to be supported by WinXP, if you are using the latest release:

<A HREF="http/www.zonelabs.com/xpupdate/" target="_new">http/www.zonelabs.com/xpupdate/</A>

I'm running ZoneAlarmPro in Win2K with no difficulty.

What kind of Microsoft keyboard?

As for the game, all I can suggest is that you continue to look for upgrades. Here is the latest for The Age Of Kings:

<A HREF="http/www.microsoft.com/games/age2/downloads.htm#updates" target="_new">http/www.microsoft.com/games/age2/downloads.htm#updates</A>

If this doesn't help ... you have my sympathy. But eventually it <i>will</i> run in WinXP ... primarily because it is a well-established Microsoft game. When ... well, that's the question. Who knows? Ask the Shadow.

Since you don't want to install an invasive package like Norton (and I can empathize), my suggestion would be to get a program like Drive Image 5. After the OS installation, when you have the system exactly the way you want it ... image it. Then, if you ever catch a virus, you can just format, and reinstall the image.

That would do the trick until an acceptable antivirus program comes along. I know some people who do this regularly, instead of running an antivirus program, simply because it effectively removes any viruses they come in contact with ... and restores the system to a pristine condition very quickly. In addition, it's nice because you can roll back the system to a previously stable state without needing to reinstall everything.

Drive Image 5 will work in WinXP, as well as Win2K. I burn an image about once a week ... I made one this morning. It took me 8 minutes to back up my Win2K 1,464.4MB partition, and another 6 minutes to verify the image integrity. Easy.

<A HREF="http/www.driveimage.com/driveimage/" target="_new">http/www.driveimage.com/driveimage/</A>

Of course, you could always go back to Win9x. But I can understand if you would rather not consider that to be an acceptable alternative! <GRIN>

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http/www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http/www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
____________________________________________________

<font color=purple>"Have you noticed how much they look like orchids? Lovely!"</font color=purple>

 

[waggers]

many thanks for your comments and time,that keyboard is a microsoft internet keyboard pro,model no.rt9420 v5ftwuk
regards waggers

 

[Toejam31]

You are very welcome. I do my best to be useful! ;-)

About your keyboard - Here is a link for the updated version of the IntelliType Pro Software, v2.11:

<A HREF="http/www.microsoft.com/hardware/keyboard/download.asp?FinishURL=/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=32810&redirect=no" target="_new">http/www.microsoft.com/hardware/keyboard/download.asp?FinishURL=/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=32810&redirect=no</A>

It's unusual that you couldn't get the keyboard to work in two different operating systems. That would make me start to suspect that either the USB hubs have a continuing conflict with another device, or if you are using the PS/2 port, that something is wrong with the port settings, or the hardware is damaged. Or ... the keyboard is damaged.

The keyboard also might need an IRQ address assigned to the USB port in the BIOS ... or a USB keyboard feature in the BIOS might be disabled. You might also need to turn off the USB error detection for the hubs in the Device Manager. (Right-click on one of the hubs ... properties ... advanced settings.) You'll have to check out all of these things.

The keyboard, itself, is usually the last thing to fail. They are hard to kill, if you keep them clean, and keep the connector/cord in good shape. And it's unlikely that the problem is directly due to the operating system. Things like this are almost always due to some kind of driver conflict, a misconfigured port, missing or corrupt software, a BIOS setting, or a hardware/USB incompatibility with the mainboard.

Here's the Microsoft FAQ's page for the keyboard:

<A HREF="http/support.microsoft.com/support/hardware/keyboard/faq/inetpro/default.asp" target="_new">http/support.microsoft.com/support/hardware/keyboard/faq/inetpro/default.asp</A>

I hope this helps!

See ya ...

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http/www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http/www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
____________________________________________________

<font color=purple>"Have you noticed how much they look like orchids? Lovely!"</font color=purple>

 

[NickM]

AVG works just fine with XP Pro.

<A HREF="http/www.grisoft.com/html/us_index.html" target="_new">http/www.grisoft.com/html/us_index.html</A>

If your XP box is networked, you can also scan the XP for viruses from any another networked machine with any installed working antivirus on it.

 

[Arrow]

I realize that ZoneAlarm is supported, but how do you find the firewall that comes with XP? It sure seems too simple for my liking - it doesn't seem to be protecting my computer like it should. Any comments on that?

Ah, I have also been wondering what the best virus scanner to use for XP. I guess I'll try out AVG as Nick suggested.

Rob
Please visit <b><A HREF="http/www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048" target="_new">http/www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048</A></b>

 

[Toejam31]

I prefer Panda AntiVirus Platinum. The newer Titanium version should work well in WinXP. The Platinum version is excellent for Win2K.

<A HREF="http/www.pandasoftware.com/xp/default_en.asp" target="_new">http/www.pandasoftware.com/xp/default_en.asp</A>

I think this is the best AntiVirus program on the market, bar none. It blows Norton right out of water.

And ...

How to Enable the Internet Connection Firewall Feature in Windows XP:

<A HREF="http/support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q283/6/73.asp?LN=EN-US&SD=gn&FR=0&qry=firewall&rnk=13&src=DHCS_MSPSS_gn_SRCH&SPR=WINXP" target="_new">http/support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q283/6/73.asp?LN=EN-US&SD=gn&FR=0&qry=firewall&rnk=13&src=DHCS_MSPSS_gn_SRCH&SPR=WINXP</A>

I hope this helps!

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http/www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http/www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
____________________________________________________

<font color=blue>"Does history record any case in which the majority was right?" ... Robert A. Heinlein</font color=blue>

 

[machow]

i'm using norton ntvirus 2002 now and it's working with winxp flawlessly. no you can even run liveupdate without restarting your computer.

btw i think for some people an ntvirus program is important as they have to work with excel word etc for work. the virus could not have been spread intentionally; it could be someone you know very well and got infected and not knowing about it.

<<I Come And Go All The Time>>