92 replies to this topic

[Doug]

Once you have the above completed, let's have a look at a fresh PCPitstop Full Tests. It will also probably be time to run another Defrag, what with all the installing you've been doing. Just Run the PCPitstop full tests, then we'll have a look and fresh recommendations.

[Rhineus]

Ok, I ran the defrag and I'm posting the pc pitstop test... http://www.pcpitstop...?conid=23040304

Just wondering, I heard that the windows firewall isn't that great, why can't there be another one? Also, heard that the windows defrag tool isn't that good either... Like I said, I was just wondering that.

[Doug]

Hi Rhineus, From the PCPitstop Test Results, it looks like your machine is running very well. Sure there are a few things to work on, but overall I would anticipate that you find the machine running about as well as expected? Please now give us your subjective evaluation. How does the machine seem to be running for you in your general computer use? Are there any specific functions that are giving you trouble? ___________________________ As to Firewall, the Windows XP native firewall does protect from opportunistic and determined attack from outside. A software firewall such as Zone Alarm or Comodo add a "two-way" function. Windows XP simply prevents unwelcome access attempts from the outside internet. A software firewall will detect when something "already in your machine" attempts to connect to the internet. You can then "allow" or "deny" the item to obtain an internet connection. The only time that the "two-way" feature becomes important is if the owner/user has intentionally or accidentally allowed to download an infected file. At some point, the infected file will try to establish contact back out to the internet to do its dirty-work. A software firewall will alert you to such attempts coming from internal. You would then be well advised to deny out-going access for that single bad-guy file. Then you would do well to scan with Malwarebytes and Antivir Antivirus to remove the bad-guy. So your answer is that software firewalls can improve your machine's security. I recommend them. But I had wanted to see your machine's performance.... before adding additional utilities. Your own safe browsing and safe downloading practices will almost always be your best protection. Software Firewall will assist if you make a mistake or encounter an infected web-site. ______________________ I'd prefer to hear from you about how the machine is running as is. If it is functioning well and up to your expectations, then adding a Software Firewall would be fine. ______________________ As to a Brand-name Defrag utility vs. Windows Native... Windows native System Tools - Disk Defrag does a good job defragging the Hard drive. Overall, "defragging" is over-rated as a routine maintenance activity. Once your machine is configured how you like it, Defragging with Windows native Disk Defrag at intervals of between 3-6 months should be sufficient. Any more than that is a waste of time and unnecessary wear-and-tear on your Hard Drive. I look forward to hearing from you about your "subjective evaluation" at this time. Best Regards

[Rhineus]

Hello Doug,

Thanks for explaining that to me... I will maybe be getting Acronis TrueImage Home 2010 later on this month. I just need help getting it started and running.

How does the machine seem to be running for you in your general computer use?

The computers doing great. I have all of my windows updates installed that http://update.microsoft.com has. Any more drivers?

Are there any specific functions that are giving you trouble?

Nope, I don't think so...

Once your machine is configured how you like it, Defragging with Windows native Disk Defrag at intervals of between 3-6 months should be sufficient.

Is there any way you can schedule it to run every 3 months or so?

Is there a firewall that you recommend? I know, a long time ago, zone alarm was the best one.

What other security programs do you recommend? Like Resident antispyware program and On Demand antispyware program... I know that Malwarebytes's Anti-malware is a "On Demand antispyware program" but if I buy the license key, will it be a Resident antispyware program, too or not? What do you think about Threatfire?

[Doug]

That sounds like a good report! good work!

I'm not a Threatfire user at this time, but decided I would consider it on my next build or repair.
It doesn't use resources much so should be fine. You'll have to "get to know it" and be familiar with how it handles warns.

Personally, I'd stay with free utilities.
With safe browsing habits a daily scan with your on demand anti-spyware should be just fine.

Done load ATF-Cleaner. It doesn't have to be installed.
Just create a desktop shortcut to ATF-Cleaner.exe.
Run it daily to dump all the temp junk that gets accumulated during browsing.
http://www.atribune....c...5&Itemid=25

I still like Zone Alarm, but some recommend Comodo.
When download/installing either, you have to watch carefully to uncheck any extra bundled software or options they may have selected for you.
You only need Zone Alarm (FREE) and none of anything else they may offer.
http://download.cnet...4-10039884.html

I'd be inclined to leave any further tweaking to an "as needed" basis.
Please remember that I've already recommended that you should "do without" all the other stuff that was listed on you prior installation.

Have you done any gaming that requires sound and game controller stuff?
If not, forget about it, the native drivers will be fine.
Otherwise, let me know.

I think you already installed MVPS Hosts File ?
That should help immensely to block bad-guy sites.

The only place I've discovered that I like to use is CBS Video where Hosts File interferes.
You can disable it by following the instructions at their site and then re-enable it after use of the site.
http://www.mvps.org/...p2002/hosts.htm

As far as scheduling your Defrag. I don't recommend putting anything like that on an automated schedule.
A simple calendar reminder should be enough if necessary.

I'm very glad to hear that you are considering Acronis True Image.
The best you can do for yourself is to read from their site and even in their forum.
We have several Acronis users here on Staff including myself, so I or someone can help with any questions.

Please consider running your machine for several days or so, then post back with a PCPitstop Full Tests.
Or simply wait until you have been able to upgrade your RAM, to post back with a fresh PCPitstop Full Tests.

Of course you are welcome to post back with questions as they may arise.

At about the same time, I have pre-arranged a visit back over to Malware Removal for you to get a checkup with Oldman960.
No rush. Let's do that at about the same time you get your RAM and do any additional adjusting of settings after your trial run.

Congratulations, on a job well done.

[appleoddity]

Well, I was going to start a new thread eventually about my in-depth usage and testing of threatfire. But, in this thread, lets just say that after several months and probably upwards of a hundred computers or more, it is no longer welcome on any computer that I touch.

[Doug]

Thanks for the heads-up, Appleoddity. I'll look forward to your Thread.

[Rhineus]

Thx you Doug, you've been a great help

I think I'll wait until after I get some ram to do those test, that should be before the end of this month...

Do you not like portable apps? I thought everybody liked portable apps. lol

Well, I was going to start a new thread eventually about my in-depth usage and testing of threatfire.

But, in this thread, lets just say that after several months and probably upwards of a hundred computers or more, it is no longer welcome on any computer that I touch.

Hello appleoddity, why is that? So, should I uninstall it then?

Edited by Rhineus, 02 December 2009 - 09:38 PM.

[appleoddity]

http://forums.whatth...re_t108637.html

[Rhineus]

Yea, after I installed Threat-fire, I thought to remove it because from reading what appleoddity said in his link above. Doug and/or appleoddity, do you think that I should download and install Spy ware Terminator and McAfee SiteAdvisor?

EDIT:
Is there any way of telling what memory, like how many pins you have without taking out the memory? And if I got more RAM, like above 1 gig or so, could I install more programs that's on my list a few pages back?

Edited by Rhineus, 04 December 2009 - 06:40 AM.

[Doug]

You can use the Memory Identification analyzer at www.crucial.com It will tell you exactly what RAM you presently have and what various combinations of upgrade your machine will handle.

[Doug]

You can always install additiona application programs. The important thing to guard against is allowing them to run active from boot (Start up). Having applications and processes running in the background whether presently using them or not is a key feature in causing a machine to slow down.

[Rhineus]

Ok, The computers still running good, and I only have avira, zonealarm, spyware terminator and true image home starting up. Speaking of True Image, now I have it... and can you explain to me how to get it started? Thx

[8210GUY]

Please remember my warning in your other thread about the 1 at a time rule, if spyware terminator offers real time cover, I fear it may be breaking this rule, but I don't know either program well enough to be certain, as I can't be sure about it's real time cover, so check it out and if it is running real time cover you need to disable that element or it breaks the rule, can't help with the other bit though, good luck.

[appleoddity]

As far as Spyware Terminator goes, it is real-time cover that goes right along side of your anti-virus. There isn't any rule to break there. It works well. Sounds like you have a great combination Rhineus. As far as Acronis goes, it is a very sophisticated program and you have a version or two newer than I do. You are going to have to dig into the instructions a bit, but I can try to help you where to get started. You will want to use what is called the "Acronis SecureZone," to start with. Acronis SecureZone can be created with the Acronis software. First you resize your primary partition on your hard drive (your C: drive) and make it a little bit smaller and give about 10Gb to the SecureZone. SecureZone needs to be big enough to hold the "image" of your currently installed operating system and software. Usually 5 or 6Gb is enough, but it depends on how much stuff you have on there presently. You can tell how much space you are using by opening My Computer and mousing over the C: drive. It should tell you how much is used and how much is free. SecureZone, although it has compression, needs to be somewhere comparable to that size. If it is over 10GB we should re-visit where all that data came from and determine the best route to go. After creating the securezone partition, you will need to activate securezone which makes it able to be bootable. After activating securezone you will always see a message for a few seconds in the initial stages of booting about Pressing F11 to perform a system recovery, or something like that. This is how you can restore your computer to its original condition if it is ever inoperable again, or you just feel like it. After creating the secure zone, and activating it, you will perform a backup procedure. You will choose to backup the entire disk. And, you will choose the SecureZone for your destination to save it in. Run the backup and that is all there is to it to creating a built in recovery parition on your computer. Now, I also recommend you run a backup in similar fashion, but this time choose to save it to a file on your external hard drive. This will allow you to recover from the data on the external hard drive if for some reason the hard drive in your computer completely craps out and the secure zone is not accessible. Lastly, you need to create a bootable rescue disc in Acronis which is a CD that you can boot off of and use to backup or restore your computer from your external hard drive if it is completely unbootable. Once you do these procedures you have a fully redundant backup system in place to restore back to the "original" state your computer is currently in. However, you will want to experiment with Acronis' scheduling features to schedule daily or weekly incremental backups to your external hard drive. By doing this you can also keep your data safe and maintain backups of your computer over an extended period of time automatically. Theres a lot of power there, but money well spent, and something you can continue to use for a long time to come. Just experiment with it some and read through the documentation. Acronis support staff is also pretty good at responding to requests.