Computer software advice (commercial)

[ZK]

http://www.registryfix.com/?hop=publish4

Registry Fix.

I own the current product and it definately helped. Especially nice to have one of these utilities if for example you have a HDD [Slave, not Master] go bad and you have to reformat. It tends to leave the Registry all out of wack.

Mine was so bad, I had 1,149 Registry errors. Now I have none. ^.^

As for a free program that fixes problems, I do not know, from all the trials I tried before I purchased Registry Fix had the "Allocated to fix 15-50 Registry Errors". Anyway, if I find a true free program to fix Registry errors, I'll post it ASAP.

[Jester]

Right then.

Motherboard Monitor - checks temps and sets up alarms etc for your comp.

CPU Cool. - Works with Motherboard Monitor and helps keep those powerful machines running smoothly.

Everest - Is a great tool to find out what exactly you have in your case. This is useful for when you want to update drivers etc.

As for Adaware programs i reckon the microsoft one is the best one.

ALWAYS HAVE VIRUS SOFTWARE and also think about having a firewall but XP does include one.

I always think it a good idea to browse http://www.majorgeeks.com/ every so often...

[CaptainErotica]

If your looking for a great free antivirus  Try Avast.

[Nanoki]

Yea Rob, or you could use AVG.  AVG continuously updates their virus scans with new things every couple of weeks to keep up with all the new virus' out there.  It's late, and I'll get you the site for the Free edition of AVG in the morning if you would like.

[CaptainErotica]

We might be talking about the same program.

[HairyHeretic]

At the rate malware comes out these days I'd be worried by an AV that only updated every few weeks. I use Panda (its about $40 a year for firewall / AV / other stuff all in one) and it updates on pretty much a daily basis.

[Nanoki]

http://www.grisoft.com/doc/products-avg-anti-virus-free-edition/us/crp/4

There's the site.  You can update it daily if you want, but I really don't see the point.  I've got AVG, and Spybot S&D both updated regularly keep my computers, and the computers I work on protected.  Although if you wanted you could always get the Commercial version of AVG and it's got a lot more stuff than the Free AVG, I just haven't had the money to upgrade, and AVG free does good enough for the computers I work on.

[CaptainErotica]

http://www.avast.com/

The company makes it's money by setting up corperate virus security, but they offer the same thing they give the major companies for free free to home users. It updates daily, (make sure your pseakers are turned down when you go to bed cuz it talks to you when it updates). It is easy to use, and highly effective. I haven't had any virus problems in the two years i've been using it.

[Nanoki]

Hmmmmmmmmmm.  Free AVG is only missing a few things that the Comercial version has.  I think the major thing is the Firewall, then there are a few other minor things.

[Vekseid]

Lilac's post covers the free AV's.  Basically, if you have a 64 bit machine, Avast is your only free option.  Otherwise, Antivir is the only one among the free ones to catch more than 90% of modern virii.

[Nanoki]

Yea.  If you mix AVG, and Spybot S&D it really catches about 99% of everything.