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Buying a new 17" some help / advice

Hi, our laptop is slowly dying and we are looking to replace it with a desktop replacement system with a 17" screen, budget is £600-£700.

The laptop will be mainly used for email, browsing, some MS Office letters etc, photo's, watching DVD's & streaming and downloading Tv shows from time to time and maybe once in a while having a game of COD but not generally used for high end gaming.

The machine does not have to be portable or rely on battery as it will be mains use in the house, we dont have the space for a desktop in our flat.

I have read lots of reviews and faced with the fact technology updates itself so quickly its hard to find a system that will be a bit future proof. I would like the system to last about 4 years before replacing, I am not a huge techie so would like som help or suggestions on any systems that you think would help.

I have found 2 I think may be suitable and if someone could give me some advice it is appreciated.

The first machine is http://www.dell.com%2Fuk%2Fp%2Finspiron-17r-n7110%2Ffs&sref=http%3A%2F%2F

The second machine is http://floremus.com/products/Computers/Laptops/HP/HP-Pavilion-dv7-4150ea-Entertainment-Core-i5-460?prodid=226892&info=2

Really appreciate your help, I would like to stop looking and just get the best value for my budget.

Thanks:)
«1

Comments

  • acc
    acc Posts: 463 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Your choices have similar specs and are almost identically priced, but the HP is better than the Dell in the following respects:

    Better processor: i5 460M / 2.53 GHz instead of i3-2310M processor 2.10 GHz

    Faster hard drive: 7200 rpm instead of 5400RPM

    Possibly larger RAM capacity: Both are supplied with 1 x 4 GB, which is probably adequate for your planned uses. However should you wish to add more RAM, the HP has a spare slot for 1 x 4 GB. The Dell spec does not say.

    To get better value for your budget, you may consider getting a refurb, at Dell Outlet and similar outlets for the HP.
  • closed
    closed Posts: 10,886 Forumite
    edited 23 April 2011 at 4:40PM
    !!
    > . !!!! ----> .
  • free4440273
    free4440273 Posts: 38,438 Forumite
    The machine does not have to be portable or rely on battery as it will be mains use in the house, we dont have the space for a desktop in our flat.

    I have read lots of reviews and faced with the fact technology updates itself so quickly its hard to find a system that will be a bit future proof. I would like the system to last about 4 years before replacing

    ^^^ make sure you do , nonetheless, run the battery down every so often and then recharge // adding to future proof-ability//
    BLOODBATH IN THE EVENING THEN? :shocked: OR PERHAPS THE AFTERNOON? OR THE MORNING? OH, FORGET THIS MALARKEY!

    THE KILLERS :cool:

    THE PUNISHER :dance: MATURE CHEDDAR ADDICT:cool:
  • tobeloy
    tobeloy Posts: 109 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    acc wrote: »
    Your choices have similar specs and are almost identically priced, but the HP is better than the Dell in the following respects:

    Better processor: i5 460M / 2.53 GHz instead of i3-2310M processor 2.10 GHz
    Faster hard drive: 7200 rpm instead of 5400RPM

    To get better value for your budget, you may consider getting a refurb, at Dell Outlet and similar outlets for the HP.

    Thanks acc I should have mentioned the Dell I would buy would be an core i5, I was told it has new 2nd generation processor if that makes any difference?? I did consider a refurbished machine but Dell wont give any support after 1 year as with a new Dell it can be bought for up to 4 years.
    closed wrote: »
    Slowly dying or slow?
    9 years old my current Toshiba is, fans rattling away, can get hot, has a habit of freezing, unresponsive scripts, takes ages to startup and shut down. i will try your methods as we will keep the Toshiba as a back-up.
    The machine does not have to be portable or rely on battery as it will be mains use in the house, we dont have the space for a desktop in our flat.

    ^^^ make sure you do , nonetheless, run the battery down every so often and then recharge // adding to future proof-ability//

    Thanks will bear that in mind....still have to decide which to opt for really

    :):):):):)
  • closed
    closed Posts: 10,886 Forumite
    edited 23 April 2011 at 7:28PM
    post a hijackthis log, installed ram, commit charge (from task manager, performance)
    !!
    > . !!!! ----> .
  • tobeloy
    tobeloy Posts: 109 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi here is the info; Ram 512mb, commit charge total 1048168
    Peak 1128784--Physical Mem Total 523244

    Log


    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
    R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk/
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
    O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
    O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgssie.dll
    O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
    O2 - BHO: SkypeIEPluginBHO - {AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
    O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
    O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
    O3 - Toolbar: EPSON Web-To-Page - {EE5D279F-081B-4404-994D-C6B60AAEBA6D} - C:\Program Files\EPSON\EPSON Web-To-Page\EPSON Web-To-Page.dll
    O3 - Toolbar: Gacela - {5F6E2508-41C4-4D4B-8AC3-D7ED6E4EB2AE} - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela2.dll (file missing)
    O3 - Toolbar: IMM Toolbar - {65DCB62D-0C89-467B-BCC3-B04FB0773D1E} - C:\Program Files\Gfk NOP\IMM toolbar\MarktMonitorShell.dll
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Apoint] C:\Program Files\Apoint2K\Apoint.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PadTouch] "C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\PadTouch\PadExe.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TPSMain] TPSMain.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TPNF] C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TouchPad\TPTray.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TCtryIOHook] c:\WINDOWS\System32\TCtrlIOHook.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TFncKy] TFncKy.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ZoomingHook] c:\WINDOWS\System32\ZoomingHook.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmoothView] C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TOSHIBA Zooming Utility\SmoothView.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CeEKEY] C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\E-KEY\CeEKey.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus Photo R220 Series] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATIAIE.EXE /P30 "EPSON Stylus Photo R220 Series" /O6 "USB001" /M "Stylus Photo R220"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG_TRAY] C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgtray.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NielsenOnline] C:\Program Files\NetRatingsNetSight\NetSight\NielsenOnline.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TOSCDSPD] C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TOSCDSPD\toscdspd.exe
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [C:\Program Files\NetMeter\NetMeter.exe] C:\Program Files\NetMeter\NetMeter.exe
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus Photo R220 Series] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATIAIE.EXE /P30 "EPSON Stylus Photo R220 Series" /M "Stylus Photo R220" /EF "HKCU"
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Skype] "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PanelApp] C:\Documents and Settings\Georgie\Local Settings\Application Data\Valued Opinions\PanelApp\PanelApp.exe
    O4 - Startup: OneNote 2007 Screen Clipper and Launcher.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\ONENOTEM.EXE
    O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
    O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {4BEEA052-726D-4A6E-B65D-A6BD07C263F3} - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela2.dll (file missing)
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Über Gacela - {4BEEA052-726D-4A6E-B65D-A6BD07C263F3} - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela2.dll (file missing)
    O9 - Extra button: Skype add-on for Internet Explorer - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Skype add-on for Internet Explorer - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
    O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
    O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
    O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
    O16 - DPF: {A7846ED2-9DE6-4E8A-B116-A8ACEBFA7DB1} (Invoke Solutions MILiveParticipantPadHelper Control) - http://rms2.invokesolutions.com/events/bin/6.2.0.1452/MILive.cab
    O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
    O16 - DPF: {D8AA889B-2C65-47C3-8C16-3DCD4EF76A47} (Invoke Solutions Participant Control(MR)) -
    O16 - DPF: {E77F23EB-E7AB-4502-8F37-247DBAF1A147} (Windows Live Hotmail Photo Upload Tool) - http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr01/photouploadcontrol/MSNPUpld.cab
    O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgpp.dll
    O18 - Protocol: skype-ie-addon-data - {91774881-D725-4E58-B298-07617B9B86A8} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
    O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
    O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
    O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
    O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
    O23 - Service: AVG Firewall (avgfws) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgfws.exe
    O23 - Service: AVGIDSAgent - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\Identity Protection\Agent\Bin\AVGIDSAgent.exe
    O23 - Service: AVG WatchDog (avgwd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgwdsvc.exe
    O23 - Service: ConfigFree Service (CFSvcs) - TOSHIBA CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\ConfigFree\CFSvcs.exe
    O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
    O23 - Service: Nielsen Update (NielsenUpdate) - The Nielsen Company - C:\Program Files\NetRatingsNetSight\NetSight\NielsenUpdate.exe
    O23 - Service: Nurago-Reporting-Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Nurago-Reporting.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: Nurago-Update-Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Nurago-Updater.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: PanelSvc - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Valued Opinions\PanelApp\PanelSvc.exe
    O23 - Service: Rapport Management Service (RapportMgmtService) - Trusteer Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Trusteer\Rapport\bin\RapportMgmtService.exe

    --
    End of file - 11018 bytes
  • closed
    closed Posts: 10,886 Forumite
    edited 23 April 2011 at 10:45PM
    commit charge is double ram which causes slowness - too much running at startup. uninstalling avg and rapport, and installing avast 6 free and cleanmem, and reviewing the need for all the O4 entries should produce fast results

    The best way of cleaning up a slow or badly infected machine is to backup all your data to an external drive, and do a factory restore using the factory restore partition (see manual or manufacturers website) or Windows disc. The alternative is to do it manually :-

    This is a general guide on cleaning up infections and speeding up pc's https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849

    If you haven't all ready done it, Install Malwarebytes and do a FULL (not quick) scan (after updating it), fix anything found before closing, otherwise you'll have to do it all over again. If anything was found reboot the machine before continuing. http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/

    If you know you have just been infected, with a fake antivirus for example, running system restore to a previous restore point is often the fastest way of getting your machine working again

    Making any changes to a PC setup always comes with a slight risk of something going wrong, the worse case scenario is an unbootable PC - ideally you should have got a backup of important data on dvd or external disk, and a disk image backup (http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp) or windows disc/factory restore partition available before you start. In the unlikely event that anything does go wrong, post on another pc for advice.
    __________________________________________________

    If you suspect an infection, here are some other virus scanners to try, let them fix anything found

    http://devbuilds.kaspersky-labs.com/devbuilds/AVPTool/
    http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro
    http://support.kaspersky.com/downloads/utils/tdsskiller.exe

    ************************************************


    Scanning with all the scanners above along with your resident scanner should remove most or all infections if there are any present on your machine, below is some specific (optional) advice based on your log which may help to improve speed and tidy things up.
    __________________________________________________


    Install and run ccleaner (untick the google toolbar during the install). Untick the "windows log files" box, under the system heading before cleaning. http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download/slim

    Install and run startuplite, accept suggested changes - http://www.malwarebytes.org/StartUpLite.exe

    Disable ctfmon - control panel, regional and language options,languages, details, advanced, tick the Turn off advanced text services, ok

    Click the java icon in control panel, advanced, misc - untick java quick starter, and untick place icon in task bar

    __________________________________________________

    Click the java icon in control panel, updates, untick check for updates

    __________________________________________________

    Using Hijackthis, tick and fix these entries

    O16 - DPF: {A7846ED2-9DE6-4E8A-B116-A8ACEBFA7DB1} (Invoke Solutions MILiveParticipantPadHelper Control) - http://rms2.invokesolutions.com/even...452/MILive.cab
    O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/pu...sh/swflash.cab
    O16 - DPF: {D8AA889B-2C65-47C3-8C16-3DCD4EF76A47} (Invoke Solutions Participant Control(MR)) -
    O16 - DPF: {E77F23EB-E7AB-4502-8F37-247DBAF1A147} (Windows Live Hotmail Photo Upload Tool) - http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr01...l/MSNPUpld.cab

    O3 - Toolbar: Gacela - {5F6E2508-41C4-4D4B-8AC3-D7ED6E4EB2AE} - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela2.dll (file missing)
    O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {4BEEA052-726D-4A6E-B65D-A6BD07C263F3} - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela2.dll (file missing)
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Über Gacela - {4BEEA052-726D-4A6E-B65D-A6BD07C263F3} - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela2.dll (file missing)
    O23 - Service: Nurago-Reporting-Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Nurago-Reporting.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: Nurago-Update-Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Nurago-Updater.exe (file missing)

    O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)

    __________________________________________________

    Uninstall any IE toolbars (browser helper objects or BHO's) in Control panel, or Firefox plugins that you don't need. This is a list of the IE BHO's evident in the log

    O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgssie.dll
    O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
    O2 - BHO: SkypeIEPluginBHO - {AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll

    __________________________________________________

    If you want a speedy machine, Use windows firewall and replace your antivirus and security software with avast 6 free - (a fast and lightweight virus scanner with good detection rates) http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download :

    This is a list of security software evident in your log, you may wish to uninstall these in Control Panel (add/remove programs or programs/features) to keep your PC running smoothly, too much overlapping or bloated security software can have a drastic effect on performance - always leave one resident scanner running (eg avast/avira etc)

    ---- rapport

    O23 - Service: Rapport Management Service (RapportMgmtService) - Trusteer Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Trusteer\Rapport\bin\RapportMgmtService.exe

    ---- avg

    O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgssie.dll
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG_TRAY] C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgtray.exe
    O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgpp.dll
    O23 - Service: AVG Firewall (avgfws) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgfws.exe
    O23 - Service: AVGIDSAgent - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\Identity Protection\Agent\Bin\AVGIDSAgent.exe
    O23 - Service: AVG WatchDog (avgwd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgwdsvc.exe

    __________________________________________________


    __________________________________________________

    start, run, services.msc, disable these services unless you use them. (make a note of any services you disable,if you have any problems related to these services subsequently, simply re-enable them)

    SSDP Discovery Service
    Remote Registry
    WebClient
    Distributed Link Tracking Client

    Also disable these services by running services.msc

    O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
    __________________________________________________

    Unless you need them running all the time, use the startup tab in msconfig to disable these items from running at startup (they can always be run manually if needed)

    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
    O4 - Startup: OneNote 2007 Screen Clipper and Launcher.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\ONENOTEM.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NielsenOnline] C:\Program Files\NetRatingsNetSight\NetSight\NielsenOnline.exe
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [C:\Program Files\NetMeter\NetMeter.exe] C:\Program Files\NetMeter\NetMeter.exe
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Skype] "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PanelApp] C:\Documents and Settings\Georgie\Local Settings\Application Data\Valued Opinions\PanelApp\PanelApp.exe


    AVG10 Is out of date, you may wish to update or uninstall it

    O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgssie.dll
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG_TRAY] C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgtray.exe
    O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgpp.dll
    O23 - Service: AVG Firewall (avgfws) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgfws.exe
    O23 - Service: AVGIDSAgent - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\Identity Protection\Agent\Bin\AVGIDSAgent.exe
    O23 - Service: AVG WatchDog (avgwd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgwdsvc.exe

    __________________________________________________

    When you've done all that, post a fresh hijackthis log and any logs of infections
    !!
    > . !!!! ----> .
  • tobeloy
    tobeloy Posts: 109 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thankyou closed, a lot of helpful pointers which I will put into practice today, I will follow up with posting a new hijack log too.

    It may be a stupid question but a factory install is the same as zero filling the hdd and performing a clean install of windows isn't it?

    I had already considered buying a external hdd to backup my files too so that the new system is free of non essential files, so that is definitely on my shopping list now.

    In your opinion would you say that avast is one of the better security products on the market? reverting back to the original topic of buying a new system should I purchase an avast security product? is it more sensitive and should I install malwarebytes on any new system too?

    Do you have any opinion on the two machines I have been looking at possibly purchasing?

    Thankyou:)
  • closed
    closed Posts: 10,886 Forumite
    edited 24 April 2011 at 1:41PM
    A factory install puts it back to the way it was when bought, so yes (more or less - not quite the same as a zero fill, your data will still be recoverable with utilities). If you follow the list, and remove the startup bloat a factory restore can be avoided

    Having files on a disk doesn't affect your speed, it's better to use external hard disks for copies (ie a true backup), or big files you don't care about if lost.

    The free version of avast is fine, no need to purchase, ditto malwarebytes free version although no AV is 100% it's close, and fast. The paid for version of most AVs are bloated with unnecessary features, which slow machines down.

    Dell are more reliable than HP in my experience, the XPS range has big sound if it's of interest, and checkout the coupon offers listed here to get extra money off. (deals change every week). If you are spending lots of money on a machine, try to play with it in a shop first, keyboards, mouse buttons, screens vary a lot. The sale of goods act gives some protection after the 1st year without the need for extended warranty

    http://www.dmxdimension.com/
    !!
    > . !!!! ----> .
  • tobeloy
    tobeloy Posts: 109 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    closed wrote: »
    The sale of goods act gives some protection after the 1st year without the need for extended warranty

    I don't understand what protection i would have with the sale of goods act after the 1 yr warranty ends?
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