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tbh, that's exactly why I run OSX these days. Too risky to run a PC with sensible data without an antivirus, and too much wasted time with that kind of upkeep.
I decided to turn on my laptop. Keep meaning to do so at least once a week, because of the that happens when I let it go so long. Didn't need to use it for anything, but just needed to keep things from getting worse than they did.
The first thing that pops up is my virus checker isn't active. When I turn it on, of course I get all security risk errors that it can give. Last definition update was 44 days ago, so it tells me. Then when I try to update, it tells me it's expired. well it's the same account my Desktop and daughter's laptop is on. When I get that going, and have it fix all it's problems, it first starts downloading 121 megabytes of definitions. If course, their server is the bottleneck, so it takes several minutes instead of a one. Now it's scanning all my files, etc.
Do others wait too long with their spare computers?
I really have to remember to turn it on at least once a week.
tbh, that's exactly why I run OSX these days. Too risky to run a PC with sensible data without an antivirus, and too much wasted time with that kind of upkeep.
I have literally never had such a problem
Run Malwarebytes from a USB drive/cd in safe mode. It is like 10mb or something. Get a new antivirus, 120mb virus file seems ridiculous. Just a guess, are you running Norton?
i haven't used an anti virus program with Windows in about 5 years, and I got one trojan once about two years ago. Removed it with superantispyware off a USB drive.
you said you gave the laptop to amanda.
no offense to op, but how do people get these problems honestly?
i've had maybe 1 virus/trogen in 2 years. running freeware anti-virus programs.
once theres a virus, no amounts of cleaning would win back my trust
hard format/factory reset that , the data
I did not see anywhere where the OP said he had a virus, just that the antivirus wanted to update a huge file since he had not turned on the computer in a long time. I agree that I have not had a virus on any machine of mine in a long time, can't even remember when, but I have fixed others who have had a virus in the last year or so.
I'm guessing the OP has Norton or another bloated antivirus and that's the reason for the big download. I suggest a switch to something less resource heavy.
That.
S bag WC, uses ty antivirus program,
Blames Windows OS for his choice of antivirus.
While we're on this topic, what's a 'less resource heavy' AV in Windoze these days?
I used to run AVG free until it got too bloated, then switched to MSE, which sure enough, got pretty fat soon enough too. What do you guys recommend for something more lightweight these days?
I did say in Windoze...
NOD32 used to be the best tbh, then got a little bloated over the years. The newest version seems to be resource-friendly.
I use Kaspersky. I don't have problems doing things while using it, and it's not just a AV but also a firewall. But it definitely runs smoother and better than Norton.
thx
Kaspersky Pure to be exact, but I had the one right below it and that worked well too. Cleaned up all the that the freeware AVs didn't catch (AVG, Malware Bytes, another).
Honestly, with all of the multicore processors and having at least several gigs of ram, antivirus software isn't too much of a hog anymore. I remember having Norton on a system with a P4 2.4 with 512mb of ram and that sucked back in the day. Anyone remember having to set scans at 3am so it wouldn't interrupt your day?
There is a pay version of Malwarebytes. Also, you can download a trial that now includes an active scanner, which used to not come with the trial. I may be wrong, but I think it has a firewall too.
i usually just do malwarebytes and superantispyware about once or twice a month.
"upkeep"
as long as you don't go to pornsites/hacker sites and don't click on a link you don't know you will never get a virus. (ah and never download .exe files)
IMO this is a PEBKAC issue
Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair
On my 5 year old laptop, I'm having problems getting new updates installed.
It gave me an error code with a really long number that I tried going to windows/IE website to see how to correct. Still couldnt get it.
Anyone else had this? ideas?
This may be a "duh" answer but did you google it?
What is the operating system and/or service pack?
You may need to update the Windows updater program first, then run the updates. If this doesn't work, try 1 update at a time. If you have an older service pack, like 1 or 2, download 3 first before updating (if Windows XP).
If the laptop is working fine, you could just not update it. This may sound harsh, but it may not be necessary depending on what you do with it. Plus it is probably too old to get a virus. :P
yeah. I got answers, but it didn't seem to work.
I'll check later when I get home. I think it's VistaWhat is the operating system and/or service pack?
The original problem is that some webpages give me pop up boxes that say "could not open web page", then when I click ok, it sends me to the "page could not be displayed" page.You may need to update the Windows updater program first, then run the updates. If this doesn't work, try 1 update at a time. If you have an older service pack, like 1 or 2, download 3 first before updating (if Windows XP).
If the laptop is working fine, you could just not update it. This may sound harsh, but it may not be necessary depending on what you do with it. Plus it is probably too old to get a virus. :P
I checked on it and noticed there's been problems with the auto updating in which nothing has been updated/installed in the last 7-8 months.
yeah, doesn't really seem like a virus, does seem old, but I'd like to think I should still be able to open any normal web page I want to..
Dunno.
Unless you are married to using IE, I would try downloading Firefox and seeing if you get the same problems on the same sites. That could be a temporary fix at least.
Other options are:
1. See if you can download the service packs seperately and install them from a file. Use the third method listed. See link:
Service Pack 1 and 2 (different versions/languages/32-64bit) links here.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935791#Download
You can download these and try and run them directly. It says you need service pack 1 before you install 2.
2. If you want and you have the original OS install disk, reinstall everything and then install the updates from scratch. This might fix the Vista issues.
Of course if you have important data, back it up first.
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