Computers - New computer advice... What to buy??

Hi gang,
I see a lot of disscussion about which AV program to use... or not to use. My wife bought an expensive computer like last year and it is not junk. Seems Norton has taken over and won't let us do much. Its a whole twisted mess...

So we went to buy a new CPU and stay cheap for now. We found an Emachines computer for about $300. It has what we need. We just surf and check emails, load up pics from cards and she uses CDs also. And she will probably end up buying a new expensive one pretty soon anyway.

I need some advice on which AV software to use. They sold us Norton, which I don't want to use. Is there a free program that is good to use and has free updates? Please let me know how to get that downloaded (I am not the computer guy in the house!)

And also the guy sold us a $80 3 year warranty on this $300 machine. I don't think it is nessasary. If it breaks right away, I will return it. If it doesn't break right away, it should be OK for a few years, especially if we keep the AV software up to date. The extended warranty doesn't cover software/program problems anyway. And then you will have some kid poking around and loading unnessasary programs should I ever have to bring it in. Never had any luck w/ service from the store!

So I think I want to return the computer and rebuy it w/o the warranty or norton software. Hey, $80 is $80, and the thing is only worth $300 new...

What do you all think about all of this?

I used to use AVG but it seemed to turn into the resource hog it used to claim to be the alternative to when they came out with version 8.0. I bailed and went to Avast. I've been with them now for maybe two years - no complaints.

I second Avast, but why not clean up your current computer? Uninstall norton, install Avast, run a few, free malware programs and see how it runs.

For what you are using it for, a one year old computer is still quite adequate.

I agree with dumping Norton. It is a resource hog.

I'll second Avast too. I've tried it with no problems.

As for the warranty, I'd forget about it. Most electronic devices will fail within a short period if there is a manufacturing defect. Hard drives are a different story but they tend to last a good number of years now anyways.

Avast or AVG...when they released AVG 8.0 it was kinda slow..but the updates have made it much better. And yes..dump the service contract..you shouldn't have to return anything..most of them have a period where you can just cancel..no penalty.

We tried to clean up our current computer. Norton will not allow us to access the web for some reason. And she cannot find the proper software to uninstall norton. Now the computer just shuts down after a warning. I don't know. I hate this whole computer culture we live in. Gotta be connected, but its just not that simple is it? Every one and everything has got to get its dirty mits into your pockets... somewhere, somehow.... BLAH!!:madhell:

Follow this link to the Norton uninstaller, on Symantec's website:

http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

It will remove it from your system.

I agree, you buy a computer and every year you have to feed it something new.

I agree with dumping Norton. It is a resource hog.

I'll second Avast too. I've tried it with no problems.

As for the warranty, I'd forget about it. Most electronic devices will fail within a short period if there is a manufacturing defect. Hard drives are a different story but they tend to last a good number of years now anyways.

I'll second Avast as well. I use it on all my computers, and it works nicely.

For all warranties I ask "So you are selling me something that will break down that easily?", and they are frequently not worth the paper they are written on.

Windows have just done their own anti virus software but I don't know how good it is.

If your old pc is past it, copy off your data and format it, then reinstall the os. It'll run better in the long run.