New subscriber Joy wrote to ask:
i have the unpaid version of aol 9.1 on an hp xp.
aol provides mcafee as part of their service, however i have run into a lot of “bugs” “errors” and the like which don’t go away. i have purchased regcure and registry mechanic which really don’t address the runtime and debugging errors… would a good software program such as mcafee handle these problems??
i understand you can’t have two different versions of security software (such as nortons, mcafee) loaded on the same computer….BUT can i purchase a box mcafee security pack to enhance what aol already gives to us…or would that cause problems.
thanks in advance. (p.s. as indicated by my newbie name, i don’t understand a lot about this stuff)
joy
I really can’t comment on AOL’s programs. I haven’t used them and am not about to install them on my computers. They’re relatively friendly for novices (or, at least used to be, and may still be) but AOL has often been accused of messing up other networking or dialup settings for users who installed AOL software but who did not use their dialup system for Internet access.
If you’re having errors that are reported as runtime and/or debugging errors, those really are not the type of errors that are solved by security programs like McAfee or, usually, by the registry-repair programs.
If you know which program(s) are having problems, check the publisher’s web sites and make sure you have all the patches and updates available for them.
Those problems are in the actual coding of the program you’re running or script handling programs in your web browser ,e.g., programs like JavaScript and ActiveScript (Microsoft’s name for its implementation of JavaScript in Internet Explorer). Make sure you’re using the latest version of your web browser of choice.
If the program or web site uses Java, you might have an old version of Java installed (update at www.java.com, it’s free).
The program may use some coding libraries that are provided by Microsoft that are called Microsoft’s .NET Framework. Make sure you have the latest version of them installed.
Make sure you have done all your Windows Updates or Microsoft Updates, too. Those are bug fixes as well as security fixes. I strongly recommend that you manually run Windows Updates, check the Windows Updates home page and select Microsoft Updates instead. Microsoft Updates will address other Microsoft programs, too, while Windows Updates only updates the operating system.
Even if Windows Updates or Microsoft Updates are set to be done automatically, you should run them manually occasionally, as some updates are only offered when you run them manually.
Finally, on the subject of multiple security software, the key is that you do not have multiple types running Simultaneously. For example, you don’t want Windows Firewall + another firewall. You don’t want two antivirus programs running in "always running — monitoring the system" mode at the same time.
You CAN have one antivirus program in the always running/monitoring mode and run another brand in "scan on request" mode. Similar rules apply to antispyware software.
By the way, my recommendations for firewall, antivirus and antispyware are the ones I use for my computers and those of my family — and all are provided by VIPRE Antivirus Premium.
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