Time to upgrade PC ?????

Muppet81

closed wrote: »

Are you using a router now?

Did you move or copy your data to usb drive?

Still using old Speedtouch broadband router on old PC.

Tried to load router software for it to laptop as a stop gap but it could not load 32/64 bit discrepancy so will have to be patient

Yes, I have now got all my data I want to save/transfer on the external hard drive and will start to put it onto laptop as and when.

Muppet81

catherinew wrote: »

to be honest the only computers i have that haven't caused me problems have been Macs, my acer has massive battery issues and sony lasted a really long time but often crashed.

Oh eck! Fingers crossed that i have a good'en. Seem to be plenty of good reviews for these so fingers crossed.

closed

router or modem, routers don't need any software installed.

moved or copied data?

Muppet81

TakeThis wrote: »

Avast 6 Free here
Page only works with FireFox.

Thanks.

Had a look at Avast's web page. Suggests that the free version is only suitable for anti virus and that if you shop/bank online, you should go for the paid for version. Would you agree?

having looked at the sticky on anti virus software, some of you have an amazing selection of programmes to deal with all the differant aspects of security. With my limited knowledge, I would struggle to know what combination to go for and what to do with them when I have them.

Wish i was more computer savvy. I try hard and read a fair bit but the more I look into things the more confused I tend to get, so many choices, so many opinions

closed

avast free is fine.

add in malwarebytes free for a second opinion

Muppet81

closed wrote: »

router or modem, routers don't need any software installed.

moved or copied data?

Sorry - Speedtouch is a modem.
Orange are sending me a wirelss router but it will be a few days before i get it.

data has been copied to external drive. Most has been deleted from old PC now but not important stuff. just want to make SURE I get it onto laptop OK. is this what you need to know or am I missing the point somewhere ... if so, sorry

Muppet81

closed wrote: »

avast free is fine.

add in malwarebytes free for a second opinion

Avast is anti virus

Is malawarbytes something a bit different such as spyware or something?

closed

Malwarebytes is a second opinion (scan manually every month), in theory they should all catch everything, but none do, the terminology used malware/virus/trojans/spyware etc isn't that important, but marketing departments like to use them to bring more money in.

The point was, move is not a backup, copy is. Ie if you delete the originals, and the usb drive fails, the data is lost

£92 for 1TB is pretty steep, even taking account of the recent hike in HD prices.

Muppet81

In that case may put everything onto laptop. had thought I would leave most of photo library on external drive to avoid clogging laptop but with pretty massive memory on it, propably don't need to worry.

If I use Avast and Malawarebytes, in conjuction with Windows own Firewall, should that be sufficient?

Thick question coming up - once i have them loaded, do I physiclly have to do anything for example each week? Or will they just work away ion the background?

closed

I would

1. create recovery media using acer erecovery (to blank dvd's), and familiarise yourself with how to do a factory restore in case you need to in future.

2. use windows7 backup to create a full disk image to the usb drive

3. create the windows recovery disc (dvd) when prompted at the end of step 2

4. copy all your data to the laptop - if it has a d partition, that is a useful way of keeping data separate from the operating system.

5. burn a copy of your most important data to dvd.

6. uninstall mcafee, install avast free, switch windows firewall on, install malwarebytes (decline the 14 day trial during installation).

7. periodically scan with malwarebytes, manually, monthly or whenever you suspect a problem - avast will sit there protecting you automatically most of the time, malwarebytes is just a second opinion.

8. periodically use windows backup to create a full disk image to the usb hard disk, making sure it includes all partitions.

9. if you are keeping the old pc, leave the data on there too, if you are disposing it, just take the hard disk out and store it safely

10. periodically burn the most important data to dvd again, and store safely

In summary, use the usb drive for backups only, unless you run out of space on the laptop, and occasionally refresh the dvd backups to a new disc.

if you are keeping the old machine, following the speedup sticky might give it a new lease of life.