RootsChat.Com
General => Technical Help => Topic started by: LizzieW on Tuesday 28 May 13 22:13 BST (UK)
-
According to Which, Windows 8 has its own security which is as good as, or better than, the other available security packages such as ZoneAlarm, Macafee, AVG, Norton etc. Do most of you agree with this? I'm thinking if this is so, then perhaps the reason my laptop is slow to open new tabs etc. could be that ZoneAlarm which I have is working against the Windows security.
Any thoughts?
I should have said that I use Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird for e-mails. According to Which, "It has anti-phishing so when you're browsing the web using Internet Explorer it will spot fraudulent sites and prevent you from visiting them" so will it do the same with Mozilla?
-
I just use Microsoft's free one on Win8 (don't ask me about details as my pal deals with that side of things) But it was free, and works brilliantly.
Best wishes,
Copperbeech5
-
Thanks, I've just turned off my ZoneAlarm (which covers 3 PCs and has another 241 days to run ::) ) I uninstalled it from my old PC and then installed it on my new laptop and entered my licence key number. If I don't need it, I'll uninstall it and re-install it on my old PC, just in case I decide to access the internet again. So far I've just been using it off line to look at old documents etc.
Lizzie
ps. As Windows 8 security is so good, why do they give you Macafee free for a month? Just a thought.
-
Hi
My windows 8 came with Norton included, would they have done that if windows 8 security was good enough on it's own
Mo
-
My windows 8 came with Norton included, would they have done that if windows 8 security was good enough on it's own
That's what I wondered, but then I thought that it was perhaps some historical thing that Microsoft give you either Norton, or Macafee for a month's trial with some payback to them if you then pay for the full package.
By the way, do any of you find Windows 8 slow? When I get an e-mail advising me there is a reply on here, on my old Vista laptop I just used to click on the link and it opened instantly, now it takes a good 20+ seconds by which time I've got fed up of waiting and start clicking on the link again and again - result I get half a dozen windows all opening onto the same topic ::) The same with Mozilla - if I close the web page, when I come to open it (I have the icon pinned to the taskbar) it doesn't open instantly. What is the problem? Modified: I should say that I have fibre broadband so everything is supposed to be super fast.
-
Hi
My windows 8 came with Norton included, would they have done that if windows 8 security was good enough on it's own
Mo
Very often computer manufactures bundle trial versions of software.
Trystan
-
Hi LizzieW
My old computer was windowsXP and broadband was down the landline, having a laptop with Windows8 (which I hate) and also fibre optic connection now it's a dream ;D
Mo
-
If I want to download something then it's really quick now, but it's driving me mad that when I click on a link or want to open Mozilla or Thunderbird it takes ages to open them. I've tried deleting all unwanted files, run several scans etc. but it's just as bad. Also Firefox keeps "not responding" which seems to be a common problem if you check it out on Google, and my OH has the same problem on Windows 7. It does eventually come back to life without having to do anything, but still. So I thought, I know I'll open up IE. Guess what "not responding".
Whatever is the problem with my new Windows 8 laptop?
-
If your OH is having the same problem, then it's likely to be your Internet Service Provider, or the equipment that you are using to connect to them, or somebody is using your internet connection, or something else ::).
The other thing to consider is whether you are using wireless internet, and that it is secure. If for example you are using 'WEP' security, then that can very very easily be broken into these days and perhaps somebody else is 'stealing' some of your wonderfully quick fibre broadband. Also, if you were using 'WEP' in the past, you will need to make sure that you are using a completely new wireless password now, because you have to imagine that they know your wireless password.
Trystan
-
Hi Trystan
We have a new ISP PlusNet now, Virginmedia before. We're using a totally new password, so I think everything should be OK. Most of our neighbours have quick fibre broadband, as BT have said it has had the best % uptake ever in our Parish (apparently we are not a village but a parish in its own right - whatever that might mean ::) ). I think I might have solved the problem with slow connections now I've turned off ZoneAlarm and am just using Windows defender. It's so efficient it even told me about Intel this morning - and as that is what is running my laptop, I thought that was a bit odd.
I'll see how I go. I know lots of people have problems with Firefox not responding, there's loads on Google and lots of supposed ways to correct this.
Lizzie
-
Lizzie,
It's great that you're with Plusnet, I'm a big fan of theirs. Give them a bell, you'll get to speak to a Yorkshireman Yorkshirelasse. They are really very helpful, and it's a freephone number too: 0800 432 0200.
It may well be that the bit that is slow is looking up the addresses of websites (a 'DNS' issue). Plusnet will be able check all that with you.
Trystan
-
Trystan
I don't know what a DNS issue is, but I think just switching off ZoneAlarm has solved the problem, now when I click on the links in e-mails re Rootschat, it goes straight to the topic. I hadn't actually realised that Windows 8 had its own firewall, etc. until my OH mentioned he read something about it in a Which magazine.
Hopefully, Firefox will stop its "not responding" act too.
Lizzie
By the way, one reason (apart from it being better value) my OH chose PlusNet was because he could speak to people in the UK - even if they were from Yorkshire ::) I always thought I was a Lancastrian until I started doing my family tree, then I realised that until my g.grandparents moved to Manchester, all my other ancestors were mainly from Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
-
Lizzie: When you say your connection is slow, are you refering to download speed or when you first visit a website?
Download speed can be checked here - http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest.html
(You should have a nice shaped graph for each of the tests)
Don't expect to have the same download speed using a wireless connection as when using a wired connection, depending on the spec of your machine wireless can be 10% lower.
Brian
-
No, not the download speed that is OK, the problem was when I clicked on the icon for Firefox, or Thunderbird instead of them just opening, nothing seemed to be happening for about 20 seconds and then suddenly they'd open. The same when I clicked on links in e-mails (when I eventually got Thunderbird to open) I didn't get taken straight to the Rootschat topic. However, since I turned off ZoneAlarm last night and am just using Windows own security, everything is back to normal.
I think the "not responding" problem with Firefox is not just my computer, there are lots of complaints on google about this.
Lizzie
ps. I couldn't use the link to check download speed that you gave me, I keep getting a message "The Adobe Flash Plug-in has failed". I uninstalled Adobe Flash yesterday and re-installed it but it hasn't made any difference. It's been suggested that I uninstall again and install an earlier version of Adobe Flash. Any ideas? Seems I'm solving one problem and then finding another one.
-
Other ones to try:
http://speedtest.btwholesale.com/
http://speedof.me/
Trystan
-
Currently using Firefox ver 21.0, Adobe Flash shows ver 11.7.700.202 using XP Pro 32bit.
http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html
(Should show what version installed)
No problems using Firefox and Adobe Flash.
Brian
-
Firstly, checked the speeds of laptop.
Download is 34.21Mb/s
Upload is 6.14Mb/s
Upload is usually more than that, around 9ish.
Thank you for the link to adobe help. I'm going to work through their suggestions and, hopefully, it will cure the Adobe problem too.
Many thanks for everyone's help. If I get any other problems, I'll start a new thread.
-
Brian - Of course, Windows 8 doesn't have a Start button ??? however, I managed to get to C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash by opening C drive and then working my way through it. Flash properly uninstalled now, so I'm going to re-install and hope everything works well after that.
Lizzie
ps. I assume I don't need Adobe AIR which I also uninstalled yesterday.
-
Well, according to I've just downloaded Adobe Flash Player 11 Plugin, but I still can't open the thinkbroadband link you gave me. It now states I must download the lastest Adobe Flashplayer. I tried looking at my house on google street view and I get a message "Get the Latest Flashplayer". If I click on that message it brings up the Adobe page I've just downloaded from quoting Adobe Flash Player 11.7.700.202. I'm stuck, I don't know what to do next.
Lizzie
-
Just double checked my version of Adobe Flash, still 11.7.700.202.
http://get2.adobe.com/flashplayer/
(Just untick Goog** if you don't want to download)
Brian
-
Brian - presumably you are not using Windows 8. I've just checked other sites on google and I'm not the only person having problems. I've now found a site called filehorse, which has downloads for Adobe Flash and it has non IE downloads, so perhaps I should try that. Do you know anything about filehorse?
-
I always use a munufacturer/supplier own website for software like Adobe.
I know nothing about the company you mentioned.
Brian
Just confirming that many complaints of Windows 8 and Adobe not working.
-
Hi Brian
For now, I've given up on Firefox. It seems that Adobe Flash is not compatible with it, nor are various other programs I use. I've just started using IE10 (it's years since I used IE) but it's working fine. All searches are quick, I can use Google streetview, which I couldn't with FF and Windows 8, so I found my own house as a test, and have now got IE10 sorted out to the way I like my pages, with extra toolbars etc.
Thank you for all your help.
-
Lizzie: Glad you have at least found a work round to your problem.
If you want to have a play with Firefox, the program has a default help mode.
Click onto 'Help' at the top, then click onto 'Firefox Health Report'.
Firefox checks your browsing habits over last few days, giving you the option to check out what has been happening to Firefox.
Just mentioned this out of curiosity for yourself.
Brian
-
Hi Brian
Just done it. In the last month the time open was 104,428 minutes,(= 1740.5 hours, or 72 days which makes no sense at all, because in my month of May there are only 31 days and we have only reached 29 so far) and there were 143 crashes :o The last crash was today - probably when I gave up on it.
The start up times were interesting, it started off ok from 17 May to 20 May, then it gradually increased. 21 May and 26 it took almost 50 seconds, 25 May, when I was obviously having lots of problems and tried starting it on 3 occasions, the first was almost 50 seconds, 2nd time just on the 100 seconds and the third time 125 seconds. 28 May was almost as bad on 5 occasions, with 2 occasions nearly 75 seconds and nearly 100 seconds.
Is it any wonder I've given up on it. I've sent them a report as they requested, and told them that I have given up on Firefox until they can fix the compatibility problems with Windows 8.
Lizzie
-
Brian - Of course, Windows 8 doesn't have a Start button ??? however, I managed to get to C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash by opening C drive and then working my way through it. Flash properly uninstalled now, so I'm going to re-install and hope everything works well after that.
Lizzie
ps. I assume I don't need Adobe AIR which I also uninstalled yesterday.
Lizzie, according to tonights news Windows 8 is getting a start button.
-
Look at the BBC news page, next month Windows 8.1 to be available as a free update. 8)
Brian
-
Roger,
I've just about got used to not having a start button. For a start, I rarely turn my laptop off now, I just close the lid. Today though I wanted to search the computer for a document, which wasn't where I thought it was and, of course, I couldn't use the usual start button, then search. What you have to do with Windows 8 (as you probably know) is hover your mouse over the top RH corner and hope that Search, Share, Start, Devices and Settings appears. Sometimes it takes me ages to get it to appear, other times it pops up when I don't need it. ::) Then you have to decide whether what you want to search for is in Apps, Settings or Files.
If you click on Start, you just get taken to the opening page with all the apps showing, most of which I've unpinned from Start. I've almost tamed Windows 8, I use Desktop where I have a shortcut for Control Panel which is very useful, and other frequently used things like Word, Legacy etc. I have pinned to the task bar.
Hopefully the new start button for Windows 8 will just be an update and won't mean splashing out more cash.
Lizzie
-
Look at the BBC news page, next month Windows 8.1 to be available as a free update. 8)
Brian
I did see your post before I sent my post, and added a comment to the effect, that I was pleased it was going to be a free update, but for some reason when I pressed send, I got a message (from Windows) saying the page wasn't available! I pressed the back arrow and got back to my reply, copied it in case it disappeared again and pressed send - and it went without my extra comment. Computers are really weird things.
-
Lizzie: Just think Internet Explorer 11? :-X
Brian
-
Perhaps I'm amongst the minority as I like Windows 8 and it didn't take long to get used to. You can also get to the search, share etc bit by hovering over the bottom RH side of the screen, which I find is easier than hovering at the top.
-
Have a look at the BBC news page, windows 8.1, then click onto the statement xxblog.
Brian
-
Brian - I've read the BBC article and Windows 8 is not bringing back the old version of Start, just an updated version of what I already have, in that the Start screen with all the apps will be visible at the bottom LH corner plus an icon on the task bar. It also suggested if you left click on the start icon you'll bring up search etc. I put my mouse over the LH corner and brought up the Start icon, left clicked and brought up a list of options. I clicked on start - and guess what - I just got the same start as I've already got, as mentioned in my response to Roger.
Internet 11 sounds interesting - now I've tamed Windows 8, I'm sure I'll cope with Windows 8.1 and Internet 11. Makes a change for me to be ahead of others in my family. ::)
-
Good luck with your Windows 8.1, I might get there in another xyears?
Brian