Date: 08/17/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus, spyware

I just bought a Compaq desktop this past Sunday and already have problems with it.

My last computer ran Win95 when I first got it, and it ran faster than the computer I've got now. I've had a few issues with the new computer freezing up for a few minutes at a time, and it usually starts working if I sit long enough and wait, but sometimes it doesn't. I'd heard from many people that if you've got Norton, it's constantly running doing something, and it slows the computer down. I don't really have a problem with it since it just popped up to let me know that it found a threat, where the other programs don't pull it up.

Overall, the computer runs really really slow compared to my old one, and I was wondering what actions I could take to keep it from stalling or freezing or just to keep it running faster.

So my questions are:
- Are there programs that help protect me from viruses and spyware, that are better than Norton? If so, what are they?
- How can I get into my settings to change the programs that start as soon as I log on? A friend of mine showed me how a few years ago, but I hadn't needed to use it, so I don't remember the command.
- What can make my computer run faster and stop freezing up?

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/467597.html