Three questions:

[OneGrassRoot]

I have a laptop protected with AVG and I do Ad-aware scans regularly. My desktop has been unprotected forever because there are more programs on there and everything I've tried thus far slows it down so much it's not functional. I just installed Avast on my desktop to compare AVG and Avast between the two computers.

1. Is there a spyware program that runs continuously which you recommend, or do both AVG and Avast include this (even though the description didn't mention spyware protection)?

2. How do I stop a program from loading upon starting the computer? For example, MSN messenger always loads and takes a long time even though I NEVER use it.

3. Regarding Open Office. I use Word A LOT. On both computers, though less so on the laptop. I'd really like to move to using this open source software but am nervous about how it may affect current programs/files (I'm a computer idiot if you couldn't already tell). Any recommendations about this? Is there any reason to fear installing Open Office will affect current programs or files, or do I need to remove Word from the laptop and then install Open Office and learn to work with it there?

Many thanks!

(Wow! I installed Avast and my desktop already booted up SOOOOOO much faster than with the damn Earthlink protection program which I always turned off after it loaded because it slowed things down too much)

[FormerDittoHead]

1. Couple of answers...

No help with #1 - I use Linux and Firefox for web browsing and email - so I don't worry about spyware or viruses. I DO use AVG on my Windows, and use IE only when I have to...

OK, now for some answers:

2) To stop MS Messenger from loading:
Open it up.
Go to Tools->Options->Preferences Uncheck the first box (run messenger on startup?)
Close.

Otherwise, use AUTORUNS to see (and control) all the stuff that gets loaded when you start your computer:
(it's free)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
But don't disable anything unless you know what it is. Google around for answers...

3) You can use Open Office on the same PC with Word without any problems.

[madokie]

2. Heres a little bit of help, hey some is better than none ;-)

You can remove messenger with this, its safe to do as I do it with ever reloading of xp I have done with notglitches just a faster opening outlook when I'm done. http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_messenger_remove.htm plus go to outlook express options and uncheck load messenger on the first tab there.

AVG has a spyware program and I think it is a good one too, I presently don't have it loaded but have in the past and it didn't seem to slow anything down or I never even noticed it was even on the machine.
If you were to go into add/remove programs and look through there you probably will find a listing for earthlink and you can permanetly remove it from your computers, look through that list and if there is anyone of the programs listed that you know you don't use then remove them. set a restore point before you do so you can go back if you make a mistake and find you need that perticular program. If you set a restore point before you remove each of the programs you will be covered in going back the way it was. You have to be careful but you don' have to be afraid to do it. If you are reluctant to do any of this then get one of your friends who have some experience with things like this to give you a hand. My experience for the most part with windows is if you don't use it or don't need it then remove it as it is only dead weight and files your harddrive has to search when it looking for something so by removing unnecessary programs will speed up all facets of your computering. Windows xp home is normally a 553 mb install disk where this one I have loaded now was only 205 mb because of all the stuff I've removed and I must say it is so much faster for it too, If my computer could kiss I think it would give me a kiss each time I turn it on because of it too;-)
Never be hesitant to ask question because we have some damn good computer whizes here on this forum, of which I am not one of and they always will help you out and with a smile at that, so happy complaying.

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Thank you, formerrushfan and madokie - very much!!! n/t

[Duer 157099]

4. Comodo

Nobody has mentioned it here so far, but I've recently switched to Comodo for my firewall and spyware monitoring, although I also use Spybot S&D with the TeaTimer running so it's perhaps overkill but hey you can't be too careful right?

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html

http://www.comodo.com/boclean/CBO_download.html

[OneGrassRoot]

5. Wow. Never heard of that one. Thank you! n/t

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

6. That's not overkill.

Good security on any Windows edition is comprised of a combination of programs. One is not enough and never has been.

Just make sure you have enough RAM in your computer.