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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2012 9:19:04 GMT
I think you're right Alex. So Norton's has been slimmed no has it? My old computers barely worked and boot up was a joke.
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leo
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Post by leo on Jan 15, 2012 9:30:36 GMT
Thanks John. I use Avast. The reason I use it is because Nortons (can't remember which version now) slowed my computer down a lot. I also got a virus twice. The first one deleted everything on my drive until my computer would no longer boot up. Since it got through Nortons, I gave up with it. Thats the main reason I removed Norton from my other pc, it made it run like crap . Maybe they have improved things now though? problem is any past bad experience tends to put me off even if somethings been improved. I just run ESET now and never had any problems.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2012 9:33:26 GMT
I've seen a recent annoucement from intel that these optical connections could be available in 2012 (no exact date was mentioned). The big question is if/when peripherals will be available (and of course what will be available). If it has some success I'm sure two things will happen: 1) 3rd party PCIe adapters with 1 or 2 ports will become available for older PCs without onboard ports. 2) Device Thunderbolt to USB adapters will appear to let people connect their older USB devices to their new MoBo's Thunderbolt ports. For us that don't Thuderbolt ports on our PCs nor Thuderbolt devices it'll mean buying the two above should we want to get the benefit of longer distance connections and/or complete galvanic isolation. Optical SP/DIF had always some drawbacks because no real fiber cables are used and also because they don't use laser diodes for transmission of the data, instead SP/DIF uses LEDs for the signal generation. In external USB DACs no realtime signal (clocked) is transmited, is USB protocol, only when it hits the DAC is decoded so no jitter problems there. The biggest problem with SPDIF is demuxing the signal which is prone to jitter though most recent ICs have improved on earlier ones. Still, I2S is a much less jittery way of trnasporting the signals as each component has its dedicated line. Crappy Toslink only agravated the situation on SPDIF, it was inmune to electrical interference but it is even more jittery. Real fiber cables and laser diodes are used for 1000Base-SX Ethernet since a long time. But Ethernet protocols aren't suitable for audio transmission (to much latency) and the cost is still quite high. As mentioned above, ther will be no audio transmission over Thunderbolt just plain data using USB protocol so latency doesn't matter as long as the buffer gets enough data and if UAC2 is used this becomes irrelevant as the DAC would control the USB bus. Laser diodes are also a bit tricky since they CAN harm eyes if a cable gets damaged or if you look into the laser beam. Hopefully, Thunderbold will open new possibilites. But I'm still a bit sceptical to see audio peripherals for Thunderbolt. Intel did not intend Thunderbolt specifically for that, but of course, Thunderbolt can transmit audio signals, just like HDMI also does. No need for audio transmission as per above, ditto for TB devices if USB->TB adapters become available. Maybe a kind of optocoupler for an existing interface could be a solution. So far, I have no knowledge about the availability of such a solution though. With SP/DIF, the conversion from electrical to optical (and vice-versa) was always a problem because it has added latency (the converters have added it). Same as above
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leo
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Post by leo on Jan 15, 2012 10:00:07 GMT
Thanks again for the advice though guys, apart from the odd bickering its all been very helpful We are only on page 3 ,Nothing wrong with a good debate just try not to get too personal with each other eh
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xerxes
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Post by xerxes on Jan 15, 2012 10:20:44 GMT
I had similar experiences with a few of the "paid for" anti virus solutions Norton, McAfee and Zone Alarm. You'd buy it and it was OK, then they'd release an update which made it slow or troublesome, so I'd change. That's why I now use a free solution, that way if turns out to be poor, or if an update turns it into a piece of crap, it doesn't cost me to switch to something else.
And going right back to your original post, I had some bad experiences buying PC components on Ebay, maybe I was just unlucky, but I would now rather buy from a reputable trader, someone with a proper returns policy should there be any problems, even if something is available on Ebay for a few pounds less.
Also, I just noticed that the particular Ebay seller you linked to claims to be related to Palicomp. I bought a PC from them for my Dad. First what turned up wasn't what I'd ordered, they have an on-line order form that allows you to configure your PC, I selected a specific motherboard, hard drive, memory etc. What turned up bore little relation to what I'd chosen and when I called to complain, they said that they sometimes substitute components if they don't have something in stock. I pointed out that if I select and pay for branded memory, generic no-name memory is hardly a substitute, so the whole thing went back.
The replacement was closer, still the generic memory, but the right motherboard at least. A few weeks later, it started playing up, randomly crashing with blue screen errors. Back it went again and when it returned it was OK, for a few weeks, then random blue screen crashes again. I asked them to send me some new memory to replace the generic stuff they had installed and they finally agreed and sent the Corsair branded memory I had originally specified. The PC has since been OK, but it took several weeks of phone calls and messing about to get there.
In short, avoid.
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leo
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Post by leo on Jan 15, 2012 11:27:23 GMT
The dreaded updates! I remember Kaspersky gave me problems too after one of the updates. Eset so far has behaved, I just used to get a small box open up saying update successful .
Thanks for the warning regarding the ebay seller, I can't be doing with hassle so thats really appreciated ! I think I'll go with the link Freddy posted earlier, Overclockers .
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Post by pcourtney1 on Jan 15, 2012 13:09:12 GMT
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Jan 15, 2012 15:49:32 GMT
I really can recommend the jv16 PowerTools: www.macecraft.com/It's mainly a very good registry cleaner/repair tool, but it has also a few other great features. Unfortunately, it does cost you a license fee after a 60 day trial period. The main feature is the registry cleaner/repair tool. This is the most useful part. Exactly that part is available also as jv16 PowerTools Lite. These are available for free, but Macecraft has hidden the download link quite good (in the FAQs). Here is it: www.macecraft.com/powertoolslite2011/We've used PowerTools Lite on a lot of computers and it works very good. We had old installations that have been extremely slow with a lot of things that did not work. Run PowerTools Lite once per user account and most problems will usually disappear instantly. BEWARE: Run the registry cleaner with the slide in the standard postion (2nd position from above, 3rd from below). Do not alter that setting! If you change the setting in one direction, it will do almost nothing, if you change it in the other direction, it will do quite risky thinkgs. The standard settings works very well however. We're also thinking of getting the full version of jv16 PowerTools at work, but I can't promise that I can convince my bosses since we can use the freeware version (it not limited to home users, it's just freeware) which does already the most important thinkgs. EDIT: (jv16) PowerTools (Lite) need administrative privileges to run. If you run them from an user account with restricted privileges, you have to run it with the the privileges of an administrator (right-click, run as...).
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Jan 15, 2012 15:57:18 GMT
The dreaded updates! I remember Kaspersky gave me problems too after one of the updates. Eset so far has behaved, I just used to get a small box open up saying update successful . Thanks for the warning regarding the ebay seller, I can't be doing with hassle so thats really appreciated ! I think I'll go with the link Freddy posted earlier, Overclockers . If you use ESET with Google Chrome, you'll get probably an error message from Chrome. That's because ESET can protect/read SSL connections of browsers. You can disable a settings in ESET to avoid that error message. I don't recall at the moment which setting it was, but I can find out if you'd encouter that problem. We have a total of 67 business licenses for ESET and most of them are already installed. So far, almost no problems. Migrations to ESET started at the beginning of November 2011, we don't have a long time experience so far, but also no real problems until now. One thing is sure: There's no perfect virus scanner. Even ESET is not perfect. We have also a few other scanners around in case we'd have an incident where ESET would not find a specific virus/trojan.
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Crispy
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Post by Crispy on Jan 15, 2012 19:13:14 GMT
I have been using Auslogics Boostpeed for about 5 years and rate it very highly. I have used other registry cleaners and de-fragmentors before, but this one ticks all the right boxes for me. The de-fragmentor is very quick and the internet optimiser certainly sped up my internet connection. Price £27.35 10 out of 10 for me. www.auslogics.com/en/software/boost-speed/
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2012 19:45:43 GMT
I use a paid version of AVG and haven't had any problems so far . . . (scrabbles round looking for wood to touch).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2012 20:22:16 GMT
I use a paid version of AVG and haven't had any problems so far . . . (scrabbles round looking for wood to touch). I`ve been using the unpaid version for years with never a problem, no viruses infiltrations at all, i also use their paid registry fix. Mick.
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Post by lark on Jan 16, 2012 7:27:40 GMT
Where did my last post go? To Saucerful for consideration by the rest of the Admin team. So? Are you going to tell me why my posts were deleted or are you now at ease with censoring things you don't like.... You have your say but I must just sit there as you make claims about me without justification and I can't respond.. Poor form.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2012 8:17:30 GMT
I use a paid version of AVG and haven't had any problems so far . . . (scrabbles round looking for wood to touch). I`ve been using the unpaid version for years with never a problem, no viruses infiltrations at all, i also use their paid registry fix. Mick. +1
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2012 11:16:39 GMT
I use a paid version of AVG and haven't had any problems so far . . . (scrabbles round looking for wood to touch). I`ve been using the unpaid version for years with never a problem, no viruses infiltrations at all, i also use their paid registry fix. Mick. Some of these registry cleaners worry me because they can clean out too much and you end up with programmes playing up. I've stopped playing with the registry because of that. I ended up having to reinstall programmes which was annoying and tbh, the cleanup doesn't make a massive difference to the time it takes to boot up.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2012 11:39:29 GMT
Ian I use Ashampoo WinOptimiser, and unlike others I have tried, it has given me no problems. It also saves the changes so that you can roll them back if needed. Regards Alex
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2012 13:33:12 GMT
Ouch, be careful with that one Alex, I've had quite a few nasties off that one, granted of 4 year vintage now.
I've run without one for a couple of years and then had "CleanMyPCRegistry" recommended by a couple peeps who are deeply immersed in this kind of thing.
On first install it claimed to find loads of gunk, nearly a thousand problems if I remember right, it too saves the previous set up in case you need a roll back. Anyhoo, it has not caused any problems and some of my larger programmes now run a little slicker.
(My recent problem was down to trying a couple of very buggy progs that took a lot of work to completely clear out).
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Post by JohnnyBlue on Jan 16, 2012 18:15:37 GMT
Thought I'd check out 'CleanMyPC Registry Cleaner', but reading the feedback here has put me off even downloading, never mind installing, it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2012 18:44:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2012 19:20:51 GMT
Thought I'd check out 'CleanMyPC Registry Cleaner', but reading the feedback here has put me off even downloading, never mind installing, it. After reading that link it looks like it's a typical 3rd party not-so-free offer! Very common these days. The version I have came directly from source and has, thus far, worked very well for 1-2 years. The "CCleaner" is also very worthwhile.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2012 19:44:47 GMT
There's also a bunch of shysters who SELL Avast when it's free on the Avast site. You unknowingly sign up for this 'support' service that doesn't exist and they keep taking money from the card that you used at odd intervals to pay for this so called service.
I was caught by that a couple of years ago and noticed someone taking odd amounts from my credit card. When I checked it out, it was this firm in the USA.
The card company were unable to stop it because I had authorised it and their phone number wasn't correct so I couldn't get to them. Their site also brought the virus checker alive so I was scared to log on.
In the end, the credit card company got the number for me and actually pad for me to make a call. I got very nasty with them and they tried to avoid everything. I asked them what service I was paying for - no answer except a load of nonsense.
Then I said that I would fly down to meet them in person since I would be in Florida and would book a helicopter to drop in - I tried to make an appointment with the manager since I really was going to drop in and give the geezer a warm bloody welcome!!!
They agreed to pay back all the money I had unwittingly forked out - £300. And they did!!!
So beware of a site that offers Avast for a support fee.
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Crispy
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Post by Crispy on Jan 16, 2012 20:53:07 GMT
I have used CCleaner for about 10 years now it is a really good free program and I always run it just before I log off - Highly recommended.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2012 21:06:22 GMT
Hi Chris I have used different versions of Ashampoo WinOptimiser for several years now without any problems whatsoever, unlike others I have tried. I also use Ashampoo Burning Studio 10 with excellent results. I hate those 3rd party programs that find heaps of problems, then want you to pay them to clean up what they found. They never lead to a limited trial period. Regards Alex P.S. Don't forget that as I have been retired for quite a few years now, I would spend far more time on the Internet than most, including some dodgy sites where Norton etc. have saved my bacon, or when something tries to DL without me wanting it, I quickly hit the Stop button and restart, then with a quick security scan. I also have updated Backup Images.
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Post by lark on Jan 17, 2012 0:59:49 GMT
Don't forget that as I have been retired for quite a few years now, I would spend far more time on the Internet than most While you're online perhaps you might want to at least tell me why you deleted my posts - it's rather rude to just delete posts without at least providing reason or some acknowledgement that you have even done so - but when I make a post and it just disappears, I think that's just plain ol' wrong. Alex, you made claims about me and a discussion I was part of, then you delete my posts that correct your incorrect claims and then you delete my posts but leave yours... This is just plain old rude - especially when it was you who brought me into this discussion again (you used my name directly). If you did it because the topic was 'off topic' then delete all the related posts, don't single out my posts because you don't like what I wrote and leave your posts - again especially when you brought me into the conversation again. Nothing I wrote was offensive or incorrect. But you haven't even said why you deleted them - I even had to ask where they went, you couldn't even be diplomatic enough to even notify me or provide reason.
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Chris53
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Post by Chris53 on Jan 17, 2012 8:27:18 GMT
I used to use the free AVG until a worm got past it and wrecked the whole thing. I'm not sure if it has changed but in those days it was only the paid for AVG that protected you against worms. I bought it and then after a while they "updated" it and it made my computer run like a snail. I finaly settled on a paid for version of ESET which I still use today and despite numerous updates it doesn't affect how the computer runs.... having said that the computer is much newer now so I would hope that most of the anti-virus progs would run on it.
Like others here I stopped using Norton stuff years ago. They were once the best but now I get the garlic and wooden stake out whenever I see the name mentioned.
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