Yea Thanks Microsoft

Tony1966 · External Since: Jul 01, 2007 Posts: 9

Everything was going beautifully with my new set up (ME desktop + vista
laptop) until I decided (God alone knows why) to perform a Windows Update on
ME - all avenues of repair have failed so far - now onto a system restore -
probably ending up with a full reinstall.

Why did I bother with the update - if it worked yesterday it would have
worked tomorrow. Sad

Mike M1 · External Since: Jun 26, 2004 Posts: 4260

Since the last update released for Win Me was in June 2006 what exactly
were you installing as an update?
--
Mike Maltby

Tony1966 wrote:

> Everything was going beautifully with my new set up (ME desktop +
> vista laptop) until I decided (God alone knows why) to perform a
> Windows Update on ME - all avenues of repair have failed so far - now
> onto a system restore - probably ending up with a full reinstall.
>
> Why did I bother with the update - if it worked yesterday it would
> have worked tomorrow. Sad

Tony1966 · External Since: Jul 01, 2007 Posts: 9

Well seing as there were 27 critical updates I think you can guess the last
time it was updated. Silly me naturally assumed going to Microsoft wouldn't
require me to set a restore point beforehand.

"Mike M" wrote:

> Since the last update released for Win Me was in June 2006 what exactly
> were you installing as an update?
> --
> Mike Maltby
>
>
>
> Tony1966 wrote:
>
> > Everything was going beautifully with my new set up (ME desktop +
> > vista laptop) until I decided (God alone knows why) to perform a
> > Windows Update on ME - all avenues of repair have failed so far - now
> > onto a system restore - probably ending up with a full reinstall.
> >
> > Why did I bother with the update - if it worked yesterday it would
> > have worked tomorrow. Sad

>
>

Mike M1 · External Since: Jun 26, 2004 Posts: 4260

I'm sorry but I'm tempted to agree "Silly you". <g>

Are you saying that no restore points were created as part of these
updates? If so then it would appear that there could well be something
wrong with your system, possibly as a result of not having maintained it
for some years as 27 critical updates would mean that few if any updates
had been installed since Win Me was installed including perhaps the all
essential 290700 required since late 2001 for system restore to function.

Since I was curious I've just loaded a clean copy of Win Me and visited
the Windows Update site and been offered 24 critical updates including
290700 and IE6 SP1 so I'm guessing that this could have been your first
ever visit to the Windows Update site with that system.

What exactly were the problem you installed these updates? It's pretty
rare for a user to need to use system restore after installing updates so
it is possible their's a fairly simple fix.
--
Mike Maltby
MS-MVP Windows

Tony1966 wrote:

> Well seing as there were 27 critical updates I think you can guess
> the last time it was updated. Silly me naturally assumed going to
> Microsoft wouldn't require me to set a restore point beforehand.

oops · External Since: May 05, 2004 Posts: 1381

Hi Mike,

I've been trying to help Tony here:

http://forums.techguy.org/windows-95-98-me/590501-massive-me-problems-...er-wind

Rather than him posting his long troubleshooter, perhaps you can take a look
at the thread and post here your comments and suggestions.

I'll be quietly listening...

Thanks.

Zee

"Mike M" wrote in message

> I'm sorry but I'm tempted to agree "Silly you". <g>
>
> Are you saying that no restore points were created as part of these
> updates? If so then it would appear that there could well be something
> wrong with your system, possibly as a result of not having maintained it
> for some years as 27 critical updates would mean that few if any updates
> had been installed since Win Me was installed including perhaps the all
> essential 290700 required since late 2001 for system restore to function.
>
> Since I was curious I've just loaded a clean copy of Win Me and visited
> the Windows Update site and been offered 24 critical updates including
> 290700 and IE6 SP1 so I'm guessing that this could have been your first
> ever visit to the Windows Update site with that system.
>
> What exactly were the problem you installed these updates? It's pretty
> rare for a user to need to use system restore after installing updates so
> it is possible their's a fairly simple fix.
> --
> Mike Maltby
> MS-MVP Windows
>
>
>
> Tony1966 wrote:
>
>> Well seing as there were 27 critical updates I think you can guess
>> the last time it was updated. Silly me naturally assumed going to
>> Microsoft wouldn't require me to set a restore point beforehand.
>

Tony1966 · External Since: Jul 01, 2007 Posts: 9

Yes indeed - I'll keep an eye on both threads - I've not helped myself with
the latest stupid thing I've done either

"oops!!" wrote:

>
> Hi Mike,
>
> I've been trying to help Tony here:
>
> http://forums.techguy.org/windows-95-98-me/590501-massive-me-problems-...er-wind
>
> Rather than him posting his long troubleshooter, perhaps you can take a look
> at the thread and post here your comments and suggestions.
>
> I'll be quietly listening...
>
> Thanks.
>
> Zee
>
>
>
>
>
> "Mike M" wrote in message
>
> > I'm sorry but I'm tempted to agree "Silly you". <g>
> >
> > Are you saying that no restore points were created as part of these
> > updates? If so then it would appear that there could well be something
> > wrong with your system, possibly as a result of not having maintained it
> > for some years as 27 critical updates would mean that few if any updates
> > had been installed since Win Me was installed including perhaps the all
> > essential 290700 required since late 2001 for system restore to function.
> >
> > Since I was curious I've just loaded a clean copy of Win Me and visited
> > the Windows Update site and been offered 24 critical updates including
> > 290700 and IE6 SP1 so I'm guessing that this could have been your first
> > ever visit to the Windows Update site with that system.
> >
> > What exactly were the problem you installed these updates? It's pretty
> > rare for a user to need to use system restore after installing updates so
> > it is possible their's a fairly simple fix.
> > --
> > Mike Maltby
> > MS-MVP Windows
> >
> >
> >
> > Tony1966 wrote:
> >
> >> Well seing as there were 27 critical updates I think you can guess
> >> the last time it was updated. Silly me naturally assumed going to
> >> Microsoft wouldn't require me to set a restore point beforehand.
> >
>
>
>

Mike M1 · External Since: Jun 26, 2004 Posts: 4260

Zee,

I'm sorry but I don't "do" web forums. I'm sure you'll be able to provide
him with all the help he needs.
--
Mike M

oops!! wrote:

> Hi Mike,
>
> I've been trying to help Tony here:
>
> http://forums.techguy.org/windows-95-98-me/590501-massive-me-problems-...er-wind
>
> Rather than him posting his long troubleshooter, perhaps you can take
> a look at the thread and post here your comments and suggestions.
>
> I'll be quietly listening...

Tony1966 · External Since: Jul 01, 2007 Posts: 9

Mike, I understand Sir - could you help with one big problem then - how can I
reassociate EXE - I have changed what EXE files open with in error so
clicking any executable program has no effect

"Mike M" wrote:

> Zee,
>
> I'm sorry but I don't "do" web forums. I'm sure you'll be able to provide
> him with all the help he needs.
> --
> Mike M
>
>
> oops!! wrote:
>
> > Hi Mike,
> >
> > I've been trying to help Tony here:
> >
> > http://forums.techguy.org/windows-95-98-me/590501-massive-me-problems-...er-wind
> >
> > Rather than him posting his long troubleshooter, perhaps you can take
> > a look at the thread and post here your comments and suggestions.
> >
> > I'll be quietly listening...
>
>

oops · External Since: May 05, 2004 Posts: 1381

No problem, the idea was avoiding Tony to post here everything he has tried.

I had no intention of asking you to post there.

Sorry if you understood it that way.

Zee

"Mike M" wrote in message

> Zee,
>
> I'm sorry but I don't "do" web forums. I'm sure you'll be able to provide
> him with all the help he needs.
> --
> Mike M
>
>
> oops!! wrote:
>
>> Hi Mike,
>>
>> I've been trying to help Tony here:
>>
>> http://forums.techguy.org/windows-95-98-me/590501-massive-me-problems-...er-wind
>>
>> Rather than him posting his long troubleshooter, perhaps you can take
>> a look at the thread and post here your comments and suggestions.
>>
>> I'll be quietly listening...
>

Mart · External Since: Apr 09, 2005 Posts: 1119

Doubt if Mike will be the slightest bit interested Zee. I notice that the
dreaded word Norton appears several times in his Forum posts - cunningly
airbrushed out of the WinMe posts!

Forums?, No updates?? - Norton???

And you know how Mike feels about Norton!!! <g>

Even a (very) long bargepole is probably the last thing Mike would be
prepared to touch it with. No sympathy there then!

Perhaps "Yea Thanks Norton" might be more appropriate subject of the thread.

Mart

"oops!!" wrote in message

>
> No problem, the idea was avoiding Tony to post here everything he has
> tried.
>
> I had no intention of asking you to post there.
>
> Sorry if you understood it that way.
>
> Zee
>
>
> "Mike M" wrote in message
>
>> Zee,
>>
>> I'm sorry but I don't "do" web forums. I'm sure you'll be able to
>> provide him with all the help he needs.
>> --
>> Mike M
>>
>>
>> oops!! wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Mike,
>>>
>>> I've been trying to help Tony here:
>>>
>>> http://forums.techguy.org/windows-95-98-me/590501-massive-me-problems-...er-wind
>>>
>>> Rather than him posting his long troubleshooter, perhaps you can take
>>> a look at the thread and post here your comments and suggestions.
>>>
>>> I'll be quietly listening...
>>
>
>

oops · External Since: May 05, 2004 Posts: 1381

Mart,

Yes, I know that too well.

Tony has been warned!

Anyway he used his recovey disk and that's it.

At least he had backups of what he wanted to keep.

Thanks for the comments.

Zee

"Mart" wrote in message

> Doubt if Mike will be the slightest bit interested Zee. I notice that the
> dreaded word Norton appears several times in his Forum posts - cunningly
> airbrushed out of the WinMe posts!
>
> Forums?, No updates?? - Norton???
>
> And you know how Mike feels about Norton!!! <g>
>
> Even a (very) long bargepole is probably the last thing Mike would be
> prepared to touch it with. No sympathy there then!
>
> Perhaps "Yea Thanks Norton" might be more appropriate subject of the
> thread.
>
> Mart
>
>
> "oops!!" wrote in message
>
>>
>> No problem, the idea was avoiding Tony to post here everything he has
>> tried.
>>
>> I had no intention of asking you to post there.
>>
>> Sorry if you understood it that way.
>>
>> Zee
>>
>>
>> "Mike M" wrote in message
>>
>>> Zee,
>>>
>>> I'm sorry but I don't "do" web forums. I'm sure you'll be able to
>>> provide him with all the help he needs.
>>> --
>>> Mike M
>>>
>>>
>>> oops!! wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Mike,
>>>>
>>>> I've been trying to help Tony here:
>>>>
>>>> http://forums.techguy.org/windows-95-98-me/590501-massive-me-problems-...er-wind
>>>>
>>>> Rather than him posting his long troubleshooter, perhaps you can take
>>>> a look at the thread and post here your comments and suggestions.
>>>>
>>>> I'll be quietly listening...
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Tony1966 · External Since: Jul 01, 2007 Posts: 9

LOL - I'm hoping Mike will forgive me for any Norton indiscretions.

The trouble is - particularly here in the UK for the ignorant average user
like me Mcafee and Norton are typically the only two packaged "must have"
applications and it is only through encountering serious problems that we see
the light. Very Happy

.

Although Norton prevented me from using any Windows restores it doesn't (too
me) appear to be the cause of my woes. When deciding to clean up the old PC
for networking purposes I opened Ad-Aware SE and requested web updates. It
would appear (and other www threads seem to confirm) that this has caused
EXE/LNK association failures.

After all the problems at least I have a clean and beauifiully running ME
desktop - for now.
"Mart" wrote:

> Doubt if Mike will be the slightest bit interested Zee. I notice that the
> dreaded word Norton appears several times in his Forum posts - cunningly
> airbrushed out of the WinMe posts!
>
> Forums?, No updates?? - Norton???
>
> And you know how Mike feels about Norton!!! <g>
>
> Even a (very) long bargepole is probably the last thing Mike would be
> prepared to touch it with. No sympathy there then!
>
> Perhaps "Yea Thanks Norton" might be more appropriate subject of the thread.
>
> Mart
>
>
> "oops!!" wrote in message
>
> >
> > No problem, the idea was avoiding Tony to post here everything he has
> > tried.
> >
> > I had no intention of asking you to post there.
> >
> > Sorry if you understood it that way.
> >
> > Zee
> >
> >
> > "Mike M" wrote in message
> >
> >> Zee,
> >>
> >> I'm sorry but I don't "do" web forums. I'm sure you'll be able to
> >> provide him with all the help he needs.
> >> --
> >> Mike M
> >>
> >>
> >> oops!! wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hi Mike,
> >>>
> >>> I've been trying to help Tony here:
> >>>
> >>> http://forums.techguy.org/windows-95-98-me/590501-massive-me-problems-...er-wind
> >>>
> >>> Rather than him posting his long troubleshooter, perhaps you can take
> >>> a look at the thread and post here your comments and suggestions.
> >>>
> >>> I'll be quietly listening...
> >>
> >
> >
>
>
>

Mike M1 · External Since: Jun 26, 2004 Posts: 4260

Tony,

I'm glad to read that you are now fit to go. Incidentally both Mart and
myself are in the UK so that isn't a very good excuse <vbg> for having
Norton installed. Norton/Symantec's track record is pretty bad regardless
of which OS is in use but is particularly appalling when it comes to Win
Me and should NEVER be installed, if only in an attempt to save the sanity
of the user.

I'm somewhat surprised to read that you think that using Adaware SE caused
you to lose the ability to execute files or use links, certainly this
isn't something I recall ever having come across before on either Win Me
or any other OS. Loss of EXE functionality can often be the result of
malware although in truth more confined to the likes of regedit.exe and
various AV and firewall executables all in an attempt to prevent ready
removal of the malware.

Nevertheless I'm pleased to read that all appears to now be OK.
--
Mike Maltby
MS-MVP Windows

Tony1966 wrote:

> LOL - I'm hoping Mike will forgive me for any Norton indiscretions.
>
> The trouble is - particularly here in the UK for the ignorant average
> user like me Mcafee and Norton are typically the only two packaged
> "must have" applications and it is only through encountering serious
> problems that we see the light. Very Happy

.
>
> Although Norton prevented me from using any Windows restores it
> doesn't (too me) appear to be the cause of my woes. When deciding to
> clean up the old PC for networking purposes I opened Ad-Aware SE and
> requested web updates. It would appear (and other www threads seem to
> confirm) that this has caused EXE/LNK association failures.
>
> After all the problems at least I have a clean and beauifiully
> running ME desktop - for now.

Tony1966 · External Since: Jul 01, 2007 Posts: 9

Mike,

I didn't make myself clear enough - sorry.

It is when you go to the well know national PC/electrical stores that you
don't see, or get offered a wide range of firewall/virus options presumably
because there is some sort of incentive offered between the companies to
promote their software. Similarly switching ISPs, as I have recently done
tends to come with "free" 12 month subscription to one of the big two. It's
the typical marketing economy to the illiterate PC majority. In the same way
the best burgers are anything but McDonalds but you rarely see those either
advertised or promoted by other means. Fortunately my lack of expertise in
PCs is made up for by my expertise in food Very Happy

I know enough to know that when I have problems there are great places to
come on the web to get answers to problems and recommendations as to future
use.

Ad-Aware SE is only an educated guess when I was trying to work back step by
step to what I had done I came across a number of articles on the web about
people that appear to have had similar problems to me, though there appears
to be no CONSENSUS on whether this is a true confirmed fault or just wild
suspicions like mine.

This differs significantly from Norton where I've always been well aware of
how it slows down your computer and I'm now only too aware of other issues it
can cause.

I've had advice from oops on suggested firewall/virus/spyware etc protection
but I'd really be interested in your own thoughts and recommendations into
protecting my ME environment. I'm already pretty tight on the Internet
Options I permit through IE. but again your insight would be appreciated

Tony

"Mike M" wrote:

> Tony,
>
> I'm glad to read that you are now fit to go. Incidentally both Mart and
> myself are in the UK so that isn't a very good excuse <vbg> for having
> Norton installed. Norton/Symantec's track record is pretty bad regardless
> of which OS is in use but is particularly appalling when it comes to Win
> Me and should NEVER be installed, if only in an attempt to save the sanity
> of the user.
>
> I'm somewhat surprised to read that you think that using Adaware SE caused
> you to lose the ability to execute files or use links, certainly this
> isn't something I recall ever having come across before on either Win Me
> or any other OS. Loss of EXE functionality can often be the result of
> malware although in truth more confined to the likes of regedit.exe and
> various AV and firewall executables all in an attempt to prevent ready
> removal of the malware.
>
> Nevertheless I'm pleased to read that all appears to now be OK.
> --
> Mike Maltby
> MS-MVP Windows
>
>
>
> Tony1966 wrote:
>
> > LOL - I'm hoping Mike will forgive me for any Norton indiscretions.
> >
> > The trouble is - particularly here in the UK for the ignorant average
> > user like me Mcafee and Norton are typically the only two packaged
> > "must have" applications and it is only through encountering serious
> > problems that we see the light. Very Happy

.
> >
> > Although Norton prevented me from using any Windows restores it
> > doesn't (too me) appear to be the cause of my woes. When deciding to
> > clean up the old PC for networking purposes I opened Ad-Aware SE and
> > requested web updates. It would appear (and other www threads seem to
> > confirm) that this has caused EXE/LNK association failures.
> >
> > After all the problems at least I have a clean and beauifiully
> > running ME desktop - for now.
>
>

Tony1966 · External Since: Jul 01, 2007 Posts: 9

and if you're really bored, forums on lavasoftsupport.com is one place where
this is discussed but not exactly resolved.

"Tony1966" wrote:

> Mike,
>
> I didn't make myself clear enough - sorry.
>
> It is when you go to the well know national PC/electrical stores that you
> don't see, or get offered a wide range of firewall/virus options presumably
> because there is some sort of incentive offered between the companies to
> promote their software. Similarly switching ISPs, as I have recently done
> tends to come with "free" 12 month subscription to one of the big two. It's
> the typical marketing economy to the illiterate PC majority. In the same way
> the best burgers are anything but McDonalds but you rarely see those either
> advertised or promoted by other means. Fortunately my lack of expertise in
> PCs is made up for by my expertise in food Very Happy

>
> I know enough to know that when I have problems there are great places to
> come on the web to get answers to problems and recommendations as to future
> use.
>
> Ad-Aware SE is only an educated guess when I was trying to work back step by
> step to what I had done I came across a number of articles on the web about
> people that appear to have had similar problems to me, though there appears
> to be no CONSENSUS on whether this is a true confirmed fault or just wild
> suspicions like mine.
>
> This differs significantly from Norton where I've always been well aware of
> how it slows down your computer and I'm now only too aware of other issues it
> can cause.
>
> I've had advice from oops on suggested firewall/virus/spyware etc protection
> but I'd really be interested in your own thoughts and recommendations into
> protecting my ME environment. I'm already pretty tight on the Internet
> Options I permit through IE. but again your insight would be appreciated
>
> Tony
>
> "Mike M" wrote:
>
> > Tony,
> >
> > I'm glad to read that you are now fit to go. Incidentally both Mart and
> > myself are in the UK so that isn't a very good excuse <vbg> for having
> > Norton installed. Norton/Symantec's track record is pretty bad regardless
> > of which OS is in use but is particularly appalling when it comes to Win
> > Me and should NEVER be installed, if only in an attempt to save the sanity
> > of the user.
> >
> > I'm somewhat surprised to read that you think that using Adaware SE caused
> > you to lose the ability to execute files or use links, certainly this
> > isn't something I recall ever having come across before on either Win Me
> > or any other OS. Loss of EXE functionality can often be the result of
> > malware although in truth more confined to the likes of regedit.exe and
> > various AV and firewall executables all in an attempt to prevent ready
> > removal of the malware.
> >
> > Nevertheless I'm pleased to read that all appears to now be OK.
> > --
> > Mike Maltby
> > MS-MVP Windows
> >
> >
> >
> > Tony1966 wrote:
> >
> > > LOL - I'm hoping Mike will forgive me for any Norton indiscretions.
> > >
> > > The trouble is - particularly here in the UK for the ignorant average
> > > user like me Mcafee and Norton are typically the only two packaged
> > > "must have" applications and it is only through encountering serious
> > > problems that we see the light. Very Happy

.
> > >
> > > Although Norton prevented me from using any Windows restores it
> > > doesn't (too me) appear to be the cause of my woes. When deciding to
> > > clean up the old PC for networking purposes I opened Ad-Aware SE and
> > > requested web updates. It would appear (and other www threads seem to
> > > confirm) that this has caused EXE/LNK association failures.
> > >
> > > After all the problems at least I have a clean and beauifiully
> > > running ME desktop - for now.
> >
> >

Mike M1 · External Since: Jun 26, 2004 Posts: 4260

Sorry but I've better things to do with my time <g> than reading about
this apparent problem. As I have already mentioned no-one has previously
felt the need to post about this to any of the Microsoft Win Me newsgroups
since Ad-Aware was launched and it's not a problem I've ever seen on any
of my various PCs. Likewise it has never featured as being a problem with
Ad-Aware in any of the various security newsgroups to which I subscribe,
both private and public.
--
Mike Maltby

966 wrote:

> and if you're really bored, forums on lavasoftsupport.com is one
> place where this is discussed but not exactly resolved.

Mike M1 · External Since: Jun 26, 2004 Posts: 4260

> I didn't make myself clear enough - sorry.

You did. However you seem to have missed the gist of my post where I was
trying to say that living in the UK isn't an excuse for users having an
unwanted AV solution imposed on them when they purchase a new PC. This
is standard practice world-wide. As for Norton/Symantec their appalling
track record over the last decade is also pretty well documented in both
newsgroups and web forums.

> I've had advice from oops on suggested firewall/virus/spyware etc
> protection but I'd really be interested in your own thoughts and
> recommendations into protecting my ME environment.

I have no knowledge of how you connect to the internet but if using ADSL
or cable the very first thing I would do would be to use a router even if
only using a single PC. Enable NAT (Network Address Translation) on the
router and this will provide a very effective firewall, so good in fact
that this no longer becomes a major issue with the OS however if you want
both belt and braces suitable firewalls commonly used that work reasonably
well with Win Me are early versions of Kerio, formerly Tiny, (v2.1.5 works
well with Win Me)
and Zone Alarm (versions up to and including 6.1.744.001).

AV - AVG (from Grisoft), Panda, Trend, Computer Associates, NOD32 and
Kaspersky and Computer Associates AV (stick with just the AV component of
their internet suite). I wouldn't recommend McAfee although this has
improved and strongly recommend that you avoid any product with the
Symantec of Norton label as most cause major problems with Win Me.
Personally I'm currently using Atwill's Avast! on Vista, XP64 and XP x86
systems, NOD32 on XP, CA on XP and Win Me and have an old Win Me that uses
AVG although have to admit I rarely use that box nowadays. Note I
multi-boot and have numerous operating systems installed on the same PC,
likewise I use Virtual Machines (where an operating system such as Win Me
can run in a window on say XP) which is why I have so many systems

AntiSpyware - Lots of possibilities here but here again personally I tend
not to have anything actually running but do use AdAware SE and Spybot
Search & Destroy with Win Me.
--
Mike Maltby

Tony1966 wrote:

> Mike,
>
> I didn't make myself clear enough - sorry.
>
> It is when you go to the well know national PC/electrical stores that
> you don't see, or get offered a wide range of firewall/virus options
> presumably because there is some sort of incentive offered between
> the companies to promote their software. Similarly switching ISPs, as
> I have recently done tends to come with "free" 12 month subscription
> to one of the big two. It's the typical marketing economy to the
> illiterate PC majority. In the same way the best burgers are anything
> but McDonalds but you rarely see those either advertised or promoted
> by other means. Fortunately my lack of expertise in PCs is made up
> for by my expertise in food Very Happy

>
> I know enough to know that when I have problems there are great
> places to come on the web to get answers to problems and
> recommendations as to future use.
>
> Ad-Aware SE is only an educated guess when I was trying to work back
> step by step to what I had done I came across a number of articles on
> the web about people that appear to have had similar problems to me,
> though there appears to be no CONSENSUS on whether this is a true
> confirmed fault or just wild suspicions like mine.
>
> This differs significantly from Norton where I've always been well
> aware of how it slows down your computer and I'm now only too aware
> of other issues it can cause.
>
> I've had advice from oops on suggested firewall/virus/spyware etc
> protection but I'd really be interested in your own thoughts and
> recommendations into protecting my ME environment. I'm already pretty
> tight on the Internet Options I permit through IE. but again your
> insight would be appreciated
>

Tony1966 · External Since: Jul 01, 2007 Posts: 9

Thanks for the comments and feedback on set up - I used Kerio in the dim and
distant past as well as a few free virus + ad/spyware apps so I guess I have
a busy day tomorrow Very Happy

I've a Netgear DG834GT Router - with desktop ME via Ethernet and new
wireless Vista laptop. I've already changed router password and WPA-PSK
network code - anyone could've guessed the original. The router has a built
in firewall configured to factory settings so that's another thing for me to
read re optimal configuration but there's another forum I'm part of that will
sort out that and the NAT question.

"Mike M" wrote:

> > I didn't make myself clear enough - sorry.
>
> You did. However you seem to have missed the gist of my post where I was
> trying to say that living in the UK isn't an excuse for users having an
> unwanted AV solution imposed on them when they purchase a new PC. This
> is standard practice world-wide. As for Norton/Symantec their appalling
> track record over the last decade is also pretty well documented in both
> newsgroups and web forums.
>
> > I've had advice from oops on suggested firewall/virus/spyware etc
> > protection but I'd really be interested in your own thoughts and
> > recommendations into protecting my ME environment.
>
> I have no knowledge of how you connect to the internet but if using ADSL
> or cable the very first thing I would do would be to use a router even if
> only using a single PC. Enable NAT (Network Address Translation) on the
> router and this will provide a very effective firewall, so good in fact
> that this no longer becomes a major issue with the OS however if you want
> both belt and braces suitable firewalls commonly used that work reasonably
> well with Win Me are early versions of Kerio, formerly Tiny, (v2.1.5 works
> well with Win Me)
> and Zone Alarm (versions up to and including 6.1.744.001).
>
> AV - AVG (from Grisoft), Panda, Trend, Computer Associates, NOD32 and
> Kaspersky and Computer Associates AV (stick with just the AV component of
> their internet suite). I wouldn't recommend McAfee although this has
> improved and strongly recommend that you avoid any product with the
> Symantec of Norton label as most cause major problems with Win Me.
> Personally I'm currently using Atwill's Avast! on Vista, XP64 and XP x86
> systems, NOD32 on XP, CA on XP and Win Me and have an old Win Me that uses
> AVG although have to admit I rarely use that box nowadays. Note I
> multi-boot and have numerous operating systems installed on the same PC,
> likewise I use Virtual Machines (where an operating system such as Win Me
> can run in a window on say XP) which is why I have so many systems
>
> AntiSpyware - Lots of possibilities here but here again personally I tend
> not to have anything actually running but do use AdAware SE and Spybot
> Search & Destroy with Win Me.
> --
> Mike Maltby
>
>
>
>
> Tony1966 wrote:
>
> > Mike,
> >
> > I didn't make myself clear enough - sorry.
> >
> > It is when you go to the well know national PC/electrical stores that
> > you don't see, or get offered a wide range of firewall/virus options
> > presumably because there is some sort of incentive offered between
> > the companies to promote their software. Similarly switching ISPs, as
> > I have recently done tends to come with "free" 12 month subscription
> > to one of the big two. It's the typical marketing economy to the
> > illiterate PC majority. In the same way the best burgers are anything
> > but McDonalds but you rarely see those either advertised or promoted
> > by other means. Fortunately my lack of expertise in PCs is made up
> > for by my expertise in food Very Happy

> >
> > I know enough to know that when I have problems there are great
> > places to come on the web to get answers to problems and
> > recommendations as to future use.
> >
> > Ad-Aware SE is only an educated guess when I was trying to work back
> > step by step to what I had done I came across a number of articles on
> > the web about people that appear to have had similar problems to me,
> > though there appears to be no CONSENSUS on whether this is a true
> > confirmed fault or just wild suspicions like mine.
> >
> > This differs significantly from Norton where I've always been well
> > aware of how it slows down your computer and I'm now only too aware
> > of other issues it can cause.
> >
> > I've had advice from oops on suggested firewall/virus/spyware etc
> > protection but I'd really be interested in your own thoughts and
> > recommendations into protecting my ME environment. I'm already pretty
> > tight on the Internet Options I permit through IE. but again your
> > insight would be appreciated
> >
>
>

Tony1966 · External Since: Jul 01, 2007 Posts: 9

Just discovered NAT is standard enabled on the router

Mike M1 · External Since: Jun 26, 2004 Posts: 4260

With a DG834GT and WPA-PSK you are reasonably ready to go. I was using an
DG834G until a year or so ago when I moved to ADSL2+ (the Netgear range
aren't particularly compatible with my ISP's ADSL2+ line cards) The router
password shouldn't be that important as it should only be usable from LAN
side (that is not from the internet) although if you had no wireless
security then LAN side would be as open as WAN side )that is the internet
side).

Incidentally I found that for some unknown reason by default my DG834G had
four open ports, found using a scanner, but this was easily remedied by
adding a rule to block those ports.
--
Mike Maltby

Tony1966 wrote:

> Thanks for the comments and feedback on set up - I used Kerio in the
> dim and distant past as well as a few free virus + ad/spyware apps so
> I guess I have a busy day tomorrow Very Happy

>
> I've a Netgear DG834GT Router - with desktop ME via Ethernet and new
> wireless Vista laptop. I've already changed router password and
> WPA-PSK network code - anyone could've guessed the original. The
> router has a built in firewall configured to factory settings so
> that's another thing for me to read re optimal configuration but
> there's another forum I'm part of that will sort out that and the NAT
> question.