best free software?

[righter1]

Hey, all you techies!

About 3 months ago, my 2nd Gateway laptop died. It's since been rebuilt by my cousin-in-law, but now, I think the programs he's put on it are conflicting (two different spy-ware programs.) I need to get rid of one (or both) but wanted some suggestions for free ones to put on there. The one thinks there's a virus on the machine, but I haven't had a chance to try to find it and clean it (The computer's now hubby's for the road.)

Also, I need to know if there are any really good free stuff out there that would make the novice computer user be able to use the laptop easily. Keep in mind this computer's running XP as opposed to the Vista that I'm using. My hubby's not a great computer nerd, and was having problems connecting to the internet all week... until I figured out it was him and not the places he was at this week.

I know there's a thread on here somewhere, and for the life of me, I can't find it this morning. And, realizing what time it is, I've got to go find a Radio Shack in the podunk town I'm in in South Dakota... *sigh*

Thanks for your input! I'm hoping to get his computer cleaned up while I'm with him this weekend rather than having to wait until next week.

Next project... figure out how to transfer some of my iTunes music to his machine! (I think I can figure that one out myself...)

[lynnmosher]

I'll get back to you a little later on exactly what I use so I don't tell you wrong. I use XP also and a laptop. One thing that is highly recommended is Ccleaner. It cleans out all the junk you accumulate on the internet. And it's free.

http://www.ccleaner.com/

Will be back later with some others.

[kshsj777]

I know you can get free trial anti virus software when you buy a new computer for so many months but once it expires, I don't think there's a free one you can use after that as far as I know But I could be wrong about that.

I use a Linux OS so I don't need anti-virus software.

I plan using Vista for games and stuff when I get my new laptop, so I won't need to go on the internet beyond initial setup (I get free trial for fifteen months or whatever I can't remember.)

[lynnmosher]

The ones I use, Kelli, are free. I just want to check with hubby to get the names rigt so I don't give out the wrong ones.

[kshsj777]

Okay. Well all I know of are McAfee and Norton and I know those aren't free. But if you know of some free ones, please post them.

[lynnmosher]

Okey dokey!

[Laina]

AVG is free. I use it on my computer.

http://free.avg.com/

[JayBee]

try googling AVG for antivirus software, you have to look for the free download but it is good

[JayBee]

sorry Laina posted at the same time.

[lynnmosher]

Okay. I'm back. Sorry. Hubby was playing golf.

I, too, use AVG, which is anti-virus and anit-spyware. I also have ZoneAlarm which is a free firewall. The free ZoneAlarm for XP can be found here...

http://www.download.com/ZoneAlarm-Firewall-Windows-2000-XP-/3000-10435_4-10039884.html

Also, you can find some free software at...

http://filehippo.com/

[kshsj777]

Okay thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

[wgjones3]

Okay... AVG is really good. I don't trust ZoneAlarm any further than I can throw it. Zone labs got bought a few years back by a company that had a track record of doing some less than ethical things with the security and privacy of client computers.

I use a really old version of Tiny Personal Firewall. OldVersion.com is a great resource for old software.

For spyware, I only use SpyBot S&D. Once you turn on it's immunization feature, it keeps the stuff off your system so you don't have to worry about finding it and cleaning it. You do have to reapply immunization every time you download updates, though.

Pidgin for instant messaging.

If system resources are at a premium, iTunes may not be the best choice of media player. WinAmp 2 is great for older systems, WinAmp 5 is super if your system can handle it (has a built-in media browser that organizes your music, has built-in access to shoutcast directories, and allows you to listen to podcasts without actually downloading them assuming the bandwidth is there). On my desktop, I use Foobar 0.8. It's a very simple interface and doesn't take up much memory or processor power, and it plays just about every format of music file out there in really high fidelity.

If you really want to make it easy to use, try this: http://features.engadget.com/2004/06/09/turn-your-pc-into-a-mac/

[wgjones3]

I should also add, I had some terrible intermittent connectivity issues that were driving me batty, when I finally tracked it down, it was caused by ZoneAlarm. Unless they've changed something in the last couple of years, ZA installs a bunch of stuff deep in the Windows Kernal that really isn't necessary. If ZA gets freaked out, it just shuts off connectivity altogether. I also had no connectivity after I tried to uninstall ZA. Worked fine when I re-installed ZA (good thing I'm compulsive about saving all my installer files for future use). That's when I learned about the ZoneLabs buyout and how the new company had been known for causing problems with its other software offerings.

[lynnmosher]

Hmmm...I had never heard anything bad about ZA. I'm glad you guys said something.

[righter1]

Awesome. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! When he gets back in town with the laptop, I'll have to put some of this stuff on the machine. (I'm home now! Thank goodness!) My cousin's husband put AVG on it, but it's saying that there's a virus and when it wants to clean the machine, it won't remove the virus without paying for something! (Plus, my cousin's hubby thinks it may be reading ANOTHER program as a virus.)

Anyway, thanks again!