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UPDATE: AVG and Windows Vista

Grisoft released an update to AVG Antivirus today that will make it work properly with Windows Vista. Grisoft does a good job of continually offering updates to fight the latest threats and correct any problems with compatibility that it finds. Current AVG users will get the updates automatically, but if you are new to AVG and Vista, then click on our link in the "Links and Resources" section at the top of any of our site pages.

A visitor asked about ZoneAlarm and Vista compatibility and after some research I found that many of the ZoneAlarm products are not fully ready for Vista yet. If you are a ZoneAlarm user, click on this link to reach ZoneAlarm's site and fill out their form that will give you notifications of updates as they become available.

7 ways to save money

  1. Do not use AOL.
  2. IF you use AOL, make sure you are paying the lowest price you can. Currently that is $9.95 for dial-up service and ZERO if you use AOL with a high speed connection. If you aren't getting these rates, call 1-888-265-8008 to get the rate. 
  3. Do not use Norton AntiVirus or McAfee products. Instead use the security software packages you can find by searching our site for "security". You will thank me later for this.
  4. Do not pay for two phone lines. It will be cheaper to get a high speed connection than pay for two phone lines and an Internet provider. For rural folks, look into Wild Blue satellite Internet or a local microwave wireless provider.
  5. Do not let your kids fix your computer…it will cost you MUCH more later.
  6. Get a second computer for the kids and keep it in plain view (like a living room or kitchen).
  7. Visit HelpMeRick.com daily to get the latest news and tips about computers that applies to the average computer user.

 

Things we say for our health

Today I visited a client who listens to the show regularly, or so she said.

I was there because the computer was running very slow and locked up often. On her computer were three programs (or groups of programs).

1. AOL

2. AOL Security Center (AOL's antivirus, antispyware and popup blocker)

3. Norton System Works

"I know you guys say not to use these programs but my son said I need them, he works for a big computer company in California."

As I explained that her problems were caused by AOL, AOL Security Center and Norton she said, "I knew you were going to tell me that I shouldn't be using those programs but…"

AVG AntiVirus Upgrade

The calls are starting to ramp up wondering about AVG's messages regarding the discontinuation of their anti-virus. The message is a little alarming, but rest assured that AVG (Grisoft) is NOT going out-of-business and for home users the product will remain free. Although Grisoft is discontinuing support and updates for their current version, they have released a new version of… Read More »AVG AntiVirus Upgrade

Know your Internet options

Picking out an Internet provider in the good ol' days of the Internet was easy. All you had to do was pick a company that wasn't owned by AOL and you'd be OK.

Today the choice is much tougher because you must choose between dial-up and broadband. And if you choose broadband, you must choose which type of broadband is best for you.

Here is a handy guide to help you decide.

Dial-up – Dial-up Internet the slowest way to connect to the Internet, but it is usually the least expensive if you are comparing actual costs of service. However, there are other disadvantages besides lack of speed.

Send this article to EVERYONE you know…

REALLY! The health of your computer, your friend's computer, your neighbor's computer, the government computers, my computer are all at stake. Heck, economies world wide depend on the information I am about to repeat to you and you HAVE to forward it every computer user you know! REALLY!

I cleaned up a laptop today that belonged to a sophomore in college. She readily admitted that she knew very little about her computer and knew nothing about Internet security. After cleaning off some horrific spyware and a couple of viruses, I explained to her how to maintain the standard products I add to all my customer's computer:

  • AVG Antivirus
  • Windows Defender, Ewido, SpyBot Search & Destroy, and AdAware (anti-spyware programs)
  • Mozilla Firefox (an alternative browser to help prevent the problems)

We have talked and written volumes on this subject, so I'm listing for you links to the articles and tips we have written so you can brush up and educate and inform all the computer users you know.

The firewall debate heats up

After my post yesterday, then my article in the newletter, a few people feel that I am way off base in recommending that most people don't need a firewall.

First, Windows XP has a firewall built-in, if you use DSL or you have your cable Internet running through a Router, then you have a hardware firewall. My comments are pertaining to the extra software firewalls like ZoneAlarm and Sygate.

My cool brother-in-law, Nishan, emailed me with a few comments about my articles. He designs and maintains a huge database for a medical billing company in Oregon. In other words, unlike me, he is a true geek. I merely pretend to understand when people talk about SQL, Linux, and Apache, Nishan understands this stuff.

“That’s such old technology”

I was reading a review of smart phones the other day and had to comment on a topic that comes up frequently in technology…old technology. You all know that my philosophy is 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. Too often, I think companies roll out upgrades simply for the sake of upgrading when their original product functioned perfectly. Think about products like Norton AntiVirus, Microsoft Word, McAfee, Acrobat Reader, and others that hit a peak of performance and features about six or seven years ago and did their jobs well. After that, the company's programmers (maybe pushed by managers) continued to roll out product after product with very little extra functionality, but an awful lot of extra junk that was not needed nor is it used. All leading to products that slowed down computers and didn't increase efficiency in any way.

I still think that we are in the infancy of the technology age and many products and technologies need to be continually pushed and improved, but sometimes products perform all the needed functions and need not be over laden with the extra weight of unnecessary code. Microsoft Word worked great in the 1997 version and no

Troubleshoot one step at a time

I have noticed that a small computer problem can quickly become a big computer problem if too much troubleshooting is applied too soon.

Today I saw a client who has been without Internet since late last week. Originally their antivirus had caught a small virus. Soon after that the Internet wasn’t working.

After looking at the situation, I don’t think those two problems had anything to do with each other. Sometimes the Internet provider or connection goes down.

Rather than giving the connection a few hours to come back up, my client disconnected everything.

When I got there today, I noticed that the wiring was all out of whack. Once I rewired the hub everything came back online.

The computer glitch fairy is back on duty

I mentioned in one of my articles last week that my calls had slowed way down. Whether is was due to JUCO (Junior College World Series) or the holiday or just a lack of computer problems, I don’t know.

Whatever the reason was, it seems like people’s computers are going nutz in full force. The number of calls today from people needing me to come by their home and fix their computers was in the double digits.

I am writing this just to let everyone know that the computer glitch fairy is out there and she is placing her wand on systems wherever she goes.

She can be thwarted though. I have found that she avoids computers that are running antivirus and antispyware programs. She also avoids systems that are keep cool with plenty of air circulation. She seems to fear computers that are using Mozilla Firefox but she loves computers with Norton Antivirus and AOL.