Death to McAfee

djm · Post by **djm** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:49 am

I am sick to death of McAfee "protection" software buggering my system. I have just been through another typical 3 hour round of downloads, downloads that fail, downloads that can't install until you un-install another piece of their own g0d@mned software, resets, system reboots, etc.

Now I can't run email. "Connection is refused." I can see on their support web site that it is a new, known problem. The URL of the patch given to fix this McAffee-invented problem doesn't work. I would like to ask how to get this patch, but I have to register with their support forum to be able to ask. I can't complete the registration process until I receive, read, and follow the instructions they just emailed me. BUT I CAN'T ACCESS MY EMAIL!!!!!

Okay, I am beaten. I will have to phone for support and pay $2.95 per minute of their precious time. I call. I give my credit card info. I wait. The connection drops. I get a busy signal.

There has to be a better way. I have seen lists of other software people have been using to protect their systems like ZoneAlarm. What all are you anti-McAfee/anti-Norton folks using currently on WinXP?

Much thx in advance,

djm

emmline · Post by **emmline** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:02 am

I had similar fun with Norton, and installed McAfee instead in the new PC. Frankly, I think the kid has probably largely disarmed the McAfee in getting his Guild Wars and Anime stuff to run, but I don't worry about it until something goes utterly kaflooey.

fearfaoin · Post by **fearfaoin** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:04 am

I used the free version of AVG for Anti-Virus.

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/download-fr ... s/us/frt/0

Jayhawk · Post by **Jayhawk** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:28 am

Free AVG rocks...I've been using it now for 6 or 7 years with no problems.

crookedtune · Post by **crookedtune** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:45 am

Computer viruses no longer get much press. Are they that much less prevalent/effective/destructive, or just "old news"?

Innocent Bystander · Post by **Innocent Bystander** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 12:27 pm

NOD32

is what we use on our home network.

Flyingcursor · Post by **Flyingcursor** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:14 pm

I couldn't agree more. I finally got rid of that junk.

Post by **Dale** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:14 pm

I've had McAfee on some computers and Norton on others and, without a single exception, I've eventually had enough problems to uninstall them and install free antivirus programs.

cowtime · Post by **cowtime** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:12 pm

fearfaoin wrote:I used the free version of AVG for Anti-Virus.

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/download-fr ... s/us/frt/0

Me too. Thanks to I think it was Amar. I have had no problems since. Norton had mine all messed up. I hate Norton.

fyffer · Post by **fyffer** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:18 am

This is interesting.
My Dell came with McAfee, which I never fully registered for, and I think I eventually uninstalled it, and begain using AVG (again, at a Chiffer's suggestion).

However, my experience with AVG hasn't been very nice.
I really don't know about it's virus protection abilities, but I do know that at many times it grinds my system to almost a screeching halt.

Caviat: My system is a 2002 Dell Inspiron laptop running Windows XP Home. I also have it setup as a dual boot to an old RedHat Linux (8.?). My HD is running at almost full *all the time* (time to dump some of those questionable files, I think). Is that what makes things so slow? I would offload some files to disk, but my CDRW drive doesn't W anymore. Finally time for a new box?

fel bautista · Post by **fel bautista** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:46 am

New box time. A 5 year old computer must be the equivalent of 200 dog years

My work computer filled up and it was painfully slow trying to write to disk. CAD files don't work well when its split all over your HD.

djm · Post by **djm** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:49 am

Whenever your system memory is running low (which would be fairly often with newer software on an older machine), your system tries to store memory data on your hard drive. The less space on your drive there is, or the more scattered, or smaller the individual bits of spare space, the slower your system will run.

Yes, get rid of unnecessary files, but also try running the disk cleaner and disk defragmenter (Programs-Accessories-System Tools).

djm

FJohnSharp · Post by **FJohnSharp** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 8:43 am

My laptop has Trend Micro from work and that works seamlessly. My home one has Norton and so far no problems. My daughter's has AVG and that's fine as well. I had McAfee for a while and didn't like it.

Tyler · Post by **Tyler** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:38 am

I have AVG on my 2002 era laptop (as well as on my 1998 Dell) and it runs fine, but I have yet to try it with my new laptop I bought this year.
Anyone have any experience running it with MS Vista? Compatability issues?

chrisoff · Post by **chrisoff** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:41 am

Tyler Morris wrote: Anyone have any experience running it with MS Vista? Compatability issues?

No problems whatsoever. Works like a dream.

Never used McAfee but I used Norton/Symantec for years without any issues, that was corporate edition though. The only reason I switched was because I changed job and no longer had a subscription paid for by work.