Computer/Norton Anti-Virus Question

[hexagram23]

For the last week I've had trouble starting my computer. It's only happened a couple times, but it freezes and I have to unplug it to turn it off.

When I turn it back on it Gateway starts something called "Start-Up Repair" or something like that, and it looks for a problem. Eventually it asks do I want to un-do recent changes and restart my computer, I say yes and then it starts up fine.

What's weird is, when I re-start my computer Norton Anti-Virus is off and the last update for it that I DLed is gone. Obviously this means the newest update is fucking my computer up, but how do I keep Norton active but not create problems for my computer whenever I start it?

Thanks for any info you give me.

[Kohan]

If you can start your computer up normally, I would download an anti-virus program that wasn't such a memory hog nor a general headache, and use that. If you're looking to pay money for one, Kapersky is fantastic, but when it comes to freebies, there's:

Avast! Free Home Edition: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

Avira Anti-Virus: http://www.free-av.com/en/download/1...antivirus.html

Of the two, I'd recommend Avast!, as it's the best free scanner I've ever used. Avira occasionally pops up messages advertising its own software--and when I say "occasionally," I mean only once or twice a day--but if you just don't like Avast!, I'd suggest that second. AVG is a popular one, but the latest version is unwieldy and practically as bad as McAfee, Norton, and so on.

Once you've got one of those (but haven't installed it yet), uninstall Norton and install one of them. Then try using your computer normally.

[Pun]

I'd recommend ESET NOD32 antivirus. It's not free, but it doesn't come with a headache, either.

[Resin]

Another vote for NOD32. I actually paid (who does that these days!?) for a year's worth of updates ($40) and have not regretted it once.

[Omniyoji]

Eset NOD32 & Comodo Firewall ftw!