Anti virus software recommendations please

[peanut]

most AV software now requires you to have all your service packs up to date. Its a bit of a curse downloading avast or others and 10 minutes later you can't install it.
I personaly don't use the service packs. They are incompatable with some programs I use.
Some hardware requires the service packs too like Ulead etc.

I switch off auto uploads because they can totally lock up your pc if MS is trying to download Windows updates when you first go online.

 

[beanzontoast]

Avast here (or should that be Avast there, me hearties)?

 

[mr Mag00]

ad aware
spybot
and avast

 

[ACS]

Take a look at this months PC Plus magazine there is a comprehensive review of anti virus products both free and subscription based.

 

[Mr Pig]

Take a look at this months PC Plus magazine.

If anyone buys it they could maybe let us know what the results are please?

 

[Blackandblue]

Many thanks to all. Very helpful comments.

I used to use Norton and had v slow PC problems so swapped to AVG which improved speed.

Have now installed Avast and all seems fine....so far.

I wish I could understand what Peanut is talking about as that might help me sort out other problems with my PC - such as not being able to sync my iphone and itouch.

 

[WindyRob]

buy a Mac... Sorted

Windy

 

[peanut]

buy a Mac... Sorted

Windy

what would you do with it ??

 

[peanut]

I wish I could understand what Peanut is talking about as that might help me sort out other problems with my PC - such as not being able to sync my iphone and itouch.

what problems are you having i'll help if I can.
Has it ever synced?

 

[HLaB]

buy a Mac... Sorted

Windy

what would you do with it ??

Wear it, after all its a good jacket

 

[Blackandblue]

what problems are you having i'll help if I can.
Has it ever synced?

Thanks for the offer, Peanut.

I have two shuffles, a nano, an iphone and as of Christmas an itouch (which replaced an ipod that died).

The shuffles and the nano all sync fine. As did the old ipod when it worked.

The iphone used to sync OK - occasionally it would hang but generally it was OK.

Then a couple of sundays ago I went to sync the iphone and I downloaded an update. The phone then died on me. Completely wiped out and non-functioning. O2 got the phone working again but when I tried to sync it I had to do a restore and the phone crashed again - I got error 1611. The Apple store then got it working again. But it's totally wiped of all my contacts, music, photos.

In the meantime I got an itouch for Christmas and that isn't recognised in Itunes. In fact now every time I plug it in, itunes hangs.

When I plug the iphone in, I get a "multiple beep" - like the noise the PC is supposed to make when you plug in your ipod only it stutters three times.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled itunes (as well as quicktime and safari).

I have tried different usb ports including the ones at the back of the PC. I have tried different usb cables.

I have changed my anti virus software and performed a full scan.

Apple support were very helpful over the phone but ultimately couldn't sort it. They reckon I may need to update my PC's firmware.

As you may have guessed - I don't really know how to do this...

Sorry for the lengthy post but you did ask.....

 

[peanut]

Mmmm looks like this all goes back to that itunes update.

I would suggest 2x things
1. try to persuade your supplier to give you an exchange iphone . If it doesn't work it must be replaceable under warrantee.
2. Apple have probably downloaded some software or cookies to your PC which is now preventing your sync. It might even have downloaded something into your iphone as well.
You may have inadvertently missed some step in the original download sequence which made it abort.

Your iphone may have been unlocked ??? or contain some 3rd party apps which Apple doesn't approve of.

The third option is to restore your iphone back to the previous firmware.
You could try doing this on another PC other than your own ie whoever supplied the iphone

Lastly make sure that your PC Windows OS is up to date with all service packs. I assume you downloaded the correct download for your iphone ? there presumably should be a choice of Win XP or Vista ?

sorry can't help further . I have never owned or used any Apple products.

 

[Blackandblue]

Thanks, Peanut.

Apple would have given me a new phone but they managed to get it recognised on their computers in store so concluded that it was a problem with my PC - which seems logical.

The phone wasn't unlocked but I have downloaded a few (four) free apps. Maybe I'll delete them from my PC (as they have in any event been wiped from my phone).

The phone has been restored to original firmware - they managed to do that at the apple store.

And yes I did the Windows XP download for my phone.

It's odd that the shuffles and the nano are all sync'ing fine but the phone and itouch are not. In fact I'm on my second itouch as they swapped out the first one in case it was faulty.

Thanks for trying!!

 

[Funtboy]

Try Avast, it's free and competent.

What he said

 

[peanut]

Thanks, Peanut.

Apple would have given me a new phone but they managed to get it recognised on their computers in store so concluded that it was a problem with my PC - which seems logical.

The phone wasn't unlocked but I have downloaded a few (four) free apps. Maybe I'll delete them from my PC (as they have in any event been wiped from my phone).

The phone has been restored to original firmware - they managed to do that at the apple store.

And yes I did the Windows XP download for my phone.

It's odd that the shuffles and the nano are all sync'ing fine but the phone and itouch are not. In fact I'm on my second itouch as they swapped out the first one in case it was faulty.

Thanks for trying!!

the fact that it works fine in the apple store but not on your PC does kinda nail it doesn't it.
Its not a fair test in the Apple store though because they will have the firmware update already on their PC wheras you need to download it on your PC which involves lots of other influencing factors and settings

Your only chance is to try syncing with someone else's laptop or PC . If it works then you know you'll have to format your drive and re-install everything.

It would take hours maybe days to re-set all the possible settings that could influence your syncing problem on your PC