Gaming rig - what to do????

[Harry_Krishna]

Oh, another real quick question - as I mentioned, I have Kaparsky AV, Zone Alarm, and Spyware Terminator - as these are all seperate programs from different companies, could they be causing conflicts with each other and the system? Has anyone tried Microsoft's Windows Live ONE CARE program? Would that be less problems? I even read somewhere that Microsoft is once again using their leverage (muscle), and only keeping their program updated imediately, and letting the other utiliy companies flounder in the dust. And anyone who remembers the old Windows for Workgroups 1.11 fiasco where they made it impossible to install it on OS/2 Warp for Windows, knows how MS makes little hidden hooks into the OS to make sure their products outperform anyone elses.

[stinger608]

Well for one thing....Zone Alarm!!!....I have a pal that used it for some time, and man, did it sloooooow his system down!!!

I don't know, I am one of the old school maybe, but I don't ever use any kind of anti virus, pop up blocker, or anything of the sort.

And guess what, I never get any kind of virus or adware ever!!!!

I think some of it is where you go on the net. I just don't worry about it, and really never will because I don't go on the net where I don't know its safe!!!!

I use zone alarm and it doesnt seem to bother me to much..........but maybe it's just me.

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by stinger608

Well for one thing....Zone Alarm!!!....I have a pal that used it for some time, and man, did it sloooooow his system down!!!

I don't know, I am one of the old school maybe, but I don't ever use any kind of anti virus, pop up blocker, or anything of the sort.

And guess what, I never get any kind of virus or adware ever!!!!

I think some of it is where you go on the net. I just don't worry about it, and really never will because I don't go on the net where I don't know its safe!!!!

Stinger makes a good point. If you practice safe computing you don't have to worry about it too much. I just use the standard windows firewall, and I don't get popups. I do use an antivirus. As long as you stay away from hacked software, warez sites and porn sites you should be pretty safe. Also dating sites load your system up with a bunch of spyware.

[Mithosphere]

yea just use the windows defender and firewall shindig, its free and works well, havent gotten a virus or the like yet using em

[Harry_Krishna]

Those are good points. But not too long ago, even "wrapped" software from a major company had a virus in its install. So nothing is ever 100% safe, no matter what you do :)

But I think I just might try running my system without the AV and ZA and see how it goes. Guess got too paranoid ha ha. Its not like I am a mega-corp - but there are a lot of pirates out there trying to get all your credit info and such.

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by Harry_Krishna

Those are good points. But not too long ago, even "wrapped" software from a major company had a virus in its install. So nothing is ever 100% safe, no matter what you do :)

You're correct, several programs come with bloatware bundled with it.

If you're behind a router, and your using some kind of firewall and practice safe computing you will be fairly safe. Nothing is a 100%, like I said before stay away from sites that are known for spreading malware, such as Porn and Warez sites.

Excessive pop-ups and burning when you pee are both signs that you have been somewhere that you shouldn't have been.

[Blondie]

I have to chime in about that being a decent system; we have a similar mobo (non deluxe), hubby has no problems playing BF2.

Click on start - run - type in msconfig - look at the startup tab, my guess is you have quicktime and if you have MS Word or works, you have about 3 or 4 things starting that don't need to be. Possible you have other junk loading that doesn't need to be.

I'd also check out panda scan - if you're system is like hubby's you may not be able to run it - try housecall to rule out a trojan

[Harry_Krishna]

Thanks - I kow about msconfig, been using it for years now. But, you are right - as many times as I removed that pesky quicktime mini app from the start/run, it keeps coming back (probably when ever a QT movie is viewed?). So as I did not run that lately, it was back in there.

Am trying Panda free scan now. It showed a number of spyware and a few hacking tools - that Kaparsky and Spyware Terminator did not show. But its hard to keep buying new utilities every time a new one is ranked better than the other (Kaparsky was a fav of Windows Secrets by Livingston). But as I said earlier, I wonder if that MS WINDOWS LIVE OneCare might not have an edge over the competition as it is MS's own program, and its been leaked that they are not as generous with the virus information getting out to the others any longer.

Oh, and now I have tried running the system w/o Kaparsky and ZA, and it does seem a bit more responsive. Will see how that goes.

As for my original thoughts - I think I will just break down and get the X-Box 360 for now (unless the PS3 is better?????). Its way cheaper than the major upgrade I would have to do, and I just read another aritcle about Vista that leads me to think I had better wait till it comes out, and the hardware (video cards) that supports DirectX 10.

[gvblake22]

I have to agree with the consensus of the other posters in that your hardware is more than capable, but it's your software (more specifically probably Windows) that is slowing you down. If you can't solve it by switching programs around, I would suggest a complete reformat and reinstall of Windows from scratch.