I have a major (IMO) problem. I'll start from the beginning. A few weeks ago I uninstalled Norton Antivirus as my subscription ran out and I've been reading up on free antivirus software that gets really good recommendations from reliable sites. I decided to go with Comodo Internet Suite as it is the full antivirus/firewall package. Not long after I installed Comodo my computer started acting weird (freezing, running reeeeeeealllly slow, etc.). I start digging around in my program files, startup, and app data folders and notice that Norton left behind an entry in my startup file, a whole folder worth of junk in my program files (including the quarantine folder full of all the quarantined files it ever quarantined), a ton of registry entries, etc.). I went through and deleted all the Symantec stuff I could find. The computer still was having problems so I rebooted into safe mode and scanned it with ClamWin. No viruses detected. I uninstalled Comodo as it seemed to be a resource hog and installed Avast! Home Edition. I scanned my drive again and Avast! picked up a few false positives, but other than that it seems clean. I then installed PC Tools Firewall Pro and rebooted. My computer is quick again and everything seems normal except one thing: when I try to do anything with ANY video file (.avi, .mp4, etc.) the computer freezes and I have to reset. I've tried uninstalling VLC and installing again to no avail. It seems like I have a virus, but three different antivirus programs have shown no viruses are present. I also ran SpyBot just in case and it didn't find anything either. I'm thinking now that I may have messed up my registry but I'm not sure where and can't fix it. Does anyone here think they may be able to help? I would greatly appreciate it.
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Here's a start for truly cleaning up the norton stuff http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039
download and run CCleaner as well, but be sure to save the registry backup
you could try Trend Micro's online scanner HouseCall
Part of the slowdown could be that you now have PC Tools firewall and Avast running.....running multiple security apps can sometimes interfere with each other and slow things down....when you try to access those video files, both apps may attempt to scan/monitor the file at the same time
The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705
Thank you for the info. Avast! doesn't have a built-in firewall so that's why I installed PC Tools Firewall. I'll try that stuff out when I get home (I'm at work right now). I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks again.
it doesnt have a ""Firewall"" but it does scan all network activity and even aborts connections if viruses are detected.
Zoop
>so that's why I installed PC Tools Firewall.
Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland
I've always run an antivirus and a firewall and I'm not about to stop now. Why would I go online with an unprotected pc?
I ran Micro's online scanner, but it took all night (I have a quick connection, but also a TON of hard drive space). I haven't had a chance to review the results yet.
what i use is Avast! 4.8 home and windows firewall and it does the job. my comp is virus free even after visitng some questionable sites and torrents gallore.
Zoop
Hmmm... Is the Windows Firewall good? I've never used it since my computer has always had a firewall installed.
Windows Firewall is pretty good, actually. I think it's more paranoid than most AV firewalls, since unless I tell it to unblock stuff like BitTorrent and Gnutella, it says I'm firewalled, whereas the Norton 360 firewall lets the connections succeed, regardless of port used, without adding an exception.
It depends on you whether you think a paranoid firewall is a good or a bad thing.
Okay, so it's not as paranoid as stuff like ZoneAlarm, but...
windows firewall is actually pretty good but it you really MUST have a second firewall, zone alarm is the way to go
but again, it isnt nessecary. only thing you really need is avast 4.8 home and windows firewall.
Zoop
>good but it you really MUST have a second firewall,
Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland
The windows firewall is crap..... I just disable it completely and use PC Tool Firewall plus.... I don't and wouldn't trust anything made by Microsoft.... But on my new computer I don't even use a virus protection program because I am smart enough to know what sites to and not to go on and I don't wanna waste my cpu/ram :S and even if by some fluke I did get a virus I would just reinstall windows.... But that is why I am getting a Mac for HS grad ^_^
Anywho.. that is my 2 cents >
iLike Macs, iPwn, However you put it... Apple is better ^_^
"Claiming that your operating system is the best in the world because more people use it is like saying McDonalds makes the best food in the world..."
>The windows firewall is crap..... I just disable it completely and use PC Tool Firewall plus....
Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland
>Hmmm... Is the Windows Firewall good?
Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland
Thanks for your informative answer. I never thought of it that way. I do actually want my firewall to ask me if traffic is allowed or not. I'm no expert but I do know what programs, processes, etc. I want using my internet connection and when.
to this subject, you can ask some of the real experts in the news group:
comp.security.firewalls
there designers and experts will tell you the details, why your 'personal firewall' what ever brand is of negative value only.
Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland
>I do actually want my firewall to ask me if traffic is allowed or not.
Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland
Thanks everybody for all your help. Last night I finally ran the Norton Removal Tool. It removed quite a lot and I restarted the computer. I tried to open a video file and SLAP! complete freeze up. So I reboot again and uninstalled the PC Tools firewal and turned the Windows firewall back on. I had to reboot one more time. After my final reboot I clicked on and .mp4 file and BAM! movie time baby! I really appreciate everybody's help. My machine is working perfectly again.
Check out this site http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/
They run tests on many popular firewalls. The results are quite surprising.