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…"
I asked her if I was OK if I removed the AOL Security software and Norton stuff just to see if it was causing the problem. She agreed.
After 27 minutes of uninstalling Norton and 5 minutes for AOL, I rebooted the computer and all of the problems were gone. She was amazed at how much faster her computer was running – I was not.
Since AOL is free now for broadband users I didn't see any reason for her to take it off or quit using it, but I did tell her to call AOL and tell them to quit billing her.
So, the appointment cost her less than $100 when it was all over and she saved $21.95 per month by dumping AOL's service, $39/year by not using Norton and she has increased her productivity by at least 50 percent because her computer was barely usable when I showed up.
I installed AVG Antispyware and AVG Antivirus and they removed a handful of things that had made it past both Norton and AOL.
All in all it was a good appointment for everyone involved.
