I did a clean install of Windows XP some time ago..
It returned to the fast speed and all animations were sleek...

Only after I installed Norton AntiVirus and Norton Internet Security, my computer became slower then before...
Startup now takes longer time and the computer seems to process something even the computer just boot into the desktop...
Task Manager shows a jump of additional processes in the background...

I understand that it's all normal to have Norton AntiVirus to run applications in the background to track virus every micro-second.. so does Norton Internet Security...

I am trying to ask if there are other AntiVirus & Firewall softwares which loads like it will never have to load, and the amount of memory and processes running is far lesser, say maybe just 1 additional process...?

I had the same problem when I was using Mcafee Antivirus. The computer would take a long time to load. They charge you so must much and give you a lot of trouble.

I've thrown away my Mcafee and I tried looking for other anti-virus software.

Fortunately I came across Antivir and I am still using it up to now. Unlike when I had Mcafee, my computer loads in less than 5 minutes.

I don't know about you but that's pretty fast for me because I have a lot of other programs that load on startup such as Limewire!!!!(this is why it takes 5 minutes for my computer to load. this is probably the one that takes a lot of time.), my Hp Scanner Driver, my Hp Printer Driver, my Lexmark Printer Driver, Java & Adobe Updater etc etc. My memory is about 230 something mb ram because my video card is shared. Try comparing that with your computer to see if my recommendation works out.

By the way, you can get Antivir @ http://www.free-av.de
It comes with a built in updater so it saved me all the trouble of downloading Dat Files in the Mcafee website.

Best of all, it's free! No more licensing fees and all those things that are hard on the pocket.

I am using Kerio firewall and I think it's okay. I get no annoying pop-up ads plus no more viruses on my system32 folder for months. When I had mcafee I would get 18 viruses for one whole friendster session. I scan my computer on a regular basis and I haven't seen a worm in months. My computer is running fine.

I don't know where to get kerio. I just downloaded it from somewhere so just look it up in google or yahoo.

Good Luck.

I'm using AVG free anti-virus. It's free...and proven reliable to date. Hasn't failed me yet. It does not take much memory...or start-up time...it's almost as if it's non-exsistent. The only problem(or sohuld I say...downside?) is that it is very obvious and prominent when it is updating.

I'm always in a nice round of Navy Field when the ABG updater pops up and says...updating.....pifffff.......


Anyway, here's the link:

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

Enjoy!

-Shackman

I personally use Norton Antivirus and Internet Security, but if you do not like that I would take a look at an antivirus program called Panda Suite. It is usually used for businesses, and yes it is a little more expensive, but people have told me that it is far better than Norton.

I dunno about the rest of you but for me Norton is the slowest. Free Antivir the fastest. I prefer McAfee, it's pretty fast and isn't free so I trust it.

I have been using Norton AntiVirus and Internet Security for quite a while now. I currently have the 2005 edition, and the speed isn't bad; it doesn't affect my computer's performance. I heard that the 2004 edition of Norton AntiVirus made a lot of the users' computers much slower. Maybe that is the problem in your case, if not, then try tweaking some system settings to make Windows load faster to help offset the slowdown that Norton causes. If that doesn't work, then I would recommend downloading some trail software and test it out to see if that loads faster (no point of buying it if it doesn't fix your problem). I agree with Xboxgamer1200, Panda Suite is a very good set of tools that are praised by many for their performance. I wish you the best of luck in finding a solution to your problem!

AmeriBass

Dude, get these: McAfee VirusScan 8.0i Enterprise and Windows Firewall. There, now shouldn't slow down startup time (I can't tell so I might be wrong) but try those.

Actually AVG had the smallest foot print then any other anitvirus software available in the matket. Its takes very small amount of memory and cpu time slice.

And for the firewall try the free version of Zone Alarm (its better than the paid version)

SO You have the fastest suite of antivirus + firewall for complete protection and that too free of cost

Just found out about avast anti virus from http://www.avast.com seems its very good with built in firewall and realtime internet traffic scanner. Also has email, messenger scaners etc ...

A close friend highly recoments it

Check it out ... and its FREE


Cheers