I have decided to uninstall my Shaw Secure virus checker and firewall. I am going to download AVG and Zone Alarm ... and anything else you think is necessary to do the job without choking the life out of my computer! I think I used to use Spybot Search & Destroy too. I also used Lavasoft's Ad-aware before Shaw Secure came out with their BIG program. I know I ran multiple programs that didn't fight with each other.

My question is: What is the process? Do I download all the new programs first ... then uninstall Shaw Secure? It's been a long time and I have forgotten the safe way to do stuff.

Mrs. Muddled,

I would recommend that you download the programs to you your desktop, then unistall Shaw Secure, then once this is done install your AVG and Zone Alarm. Once these are completed you can then go ahead and install Spy Bot and Adware SE.

This way you still have a program protecting your computer until you are ready to install your new programs.

I hope this helps.

Thanks Zac.

Do you just run AVG and Zone Alarm or do you also run other security programs?

I run Kaspersky and or Trend Micro every so often just to make sure Shaw hasn't missed anything.

Personally I run several other cleaners as well. I also run CCleaner, this is just a manual scan when you choose, and best of all its also free. It doesnt hurt to have other programs runs checks as well. As for having programs running at the same time with AVG, Zone Alarm, SpyBot and Adaware SE that should be fine.

There are different "security" programs out there and some perform completely different functions then others and some do the exact same thing. Sometimes they all get along together and sometimes they don't.

They safest way is to do as Zac mentioned and download and have your new program ready, uninstall the old, then install the new. But the chance that you will get infected between the period with out a program running are very slim...unlees you take a long time to do it. So I would not worry about it, just do those steps and you'll be fine.



Do you need the other types of security programs? Personally I have moved away from the other programs (Spybot and Ad-Aware) and only use them on computers I work on for friends who are actually infected with spyware. A firewall and Virus program is all I have running and recommend for my friends.

I could just leave Shaw Secure (the memory hog) on the new computer (if I end up going that route). It does everything, and it does not play well with other security systems. I removed every other program of that ilk that I used to use.

Now I just have to make up my mind about buying a new computer. Just the thought of loading all my "stuff" onto another computer stresses me out ... even though I love the idea of a clean slate, so to speak.

I also recommend CCleaner especially after uninstalling programs. It can clean out the registry entries left behind.

There are a lot of advantages and some disadvantages if you take this route. A little research is necessary to make sure there are not too many. With a new computer you will absolutely find an increase in speed, a 5 year old computer with less than a gig of memory is by default slower. You will probably get 1-2GB of Ram and it will be the latest and fastest available today. The CPU will be faster, you get bigger and faster hard drive and probably a combo CD/DVD writer thats faster than what you had. A big plus will also be the monitor, most system come with a flat panel and a faster video card.

The down sides will of course be the OS, Vista. You will need to learn the differences (not that hard actually), and then find out what software and hardware is not going to work. You either upgrade them or learn to live without them or get a replacement that works under Vista.

I usually tend to suggest that folks go with a new PC, memory upgrades are good but they usually don't give you the speed increase you really want to see. They give some but not what you will see in a new PC. And its always exciting looking at new PC's and bringing one home and plugging it in and turning it on

Thanks guys. I really appreciate your comments and suggestions. I know I can usually count on you to set me straight.

I will definitely make sure this compute is cleaned right out before it leaves our house.

I hear from various sources that Vista is not the end all be all it was touted to be.

Is there a big learning curve to Vista ... or is it fairly straight forward? I can't imagine it being that difficult. Windows XP was like falling off a log. I really like it.

Some people take to Vista like a duck to water. Myself, I am not switching to it until XP is no longer available.

I Beta Tested it and was not happy at all and have taken it off my system. We purchased a New computer for my wife and she has been using it with little problems. Of course the problems are "little" for her since I am the one that ends up fixing them for her but she is happy with what she has and thats all that counts.

So, what ARE the problems that drive you crazy with Vista?

I think it's funny that your wife's problems with Vista are "little" ... cuz YOU fix them. Hilarious!!! You tell her I said she's a lucky girl to have you for a co-pilot!