D*mn, my computer scan.............TAKES SO LONG!!!

[a kennedy]

Almost 45 minutes......sheesh. Norton found something, but when the scan of ALL the files was finished, there were NONE!!!! Why does that take so long......I've got high speed...?????? :mad:

[RoyGBiv]

1. Because Norton sucks?

:shrug:

More seriously, how long it takes depends more on your processor speed, memory, and disc size, number of files, and speed/throughput of the drive. Was this an online scan? If so, your connection speed is a factor, but a minor one relative to the other things.

Abbreviated version of a story for you I posted in the Computer group.

I've spent the weekend cleaning a computer for a co-worker who had used Norton's virus scan locally, had an updated definitions file and was active. It had been installed, updated regularly, and was active for about a year.

Using a different virus scanner (AVG) I found 269 infected files, 12 of them critical system files. The scan itself took an hour and a half. I was able to clean it, but I didn't trust it because of the massive level of infection, so I went through the lovely process of reinstalling Windoze.

Norton is not your friend.

[a kennedy]

2. Norton is not good???? So what do you suggest....

I'm pretty illiterate on all the virus protection stuff. Thanks. :shrug:

[RoyGBiv]

3. Don't get me started ...

Because I'll never shutup. :-)

For some of my thoughts on Norton, look here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=242x8959

Warning! This is long and somewhat rambling.

I suggest either Avast or AVG. Both have free versions that are far superior to Norton and don't extort you for money constantly.

[a kennedy]

5. Thanks I'll look into them both.

[catmandu57]

6. Definitely AVG

it's the best I've ever used and it's free, while you're there get the ewido, same song second verse.

[Jamastiene]

9. I use AVG now too.

It is much quicker and easier to deal with than McAfee was. Back when I used McAfee, it took 2 hours to scan my computer. I hated it. Forget how long it takes to defrag it. :eyes:

[trof]

14. Me too. It still takes too damn long.

And slows down everything while it's scanning.

[a kennedy]

20. Wondering, does it matter if I'm using Firefox???

:shrug:

[catzies]

4. How about clearing your temporary files? There'll be less to scan.

In whatever your browser is, find the option where you zap all the files dowloaded with each viewed page.

[Breeze54]

10. Yup

Also, when is the last time you defragged your hard drive?
:shrug:

[a kennedy]

11. have never defragged it.....

how do I do that??? Oh man, I'm really showing my non-computerness huh? :blush: :blush: :blush:

[catmandu57]

13. Assuming your running a version of windows

click start, go to programs, tools then you should see system defrag, click on it, it's like straightening up a room putting all the clutter where it belongs, it will really speed things up.

[a kennedy]

19. It sure does speed things up when having done that.

Thanks, my neighbor walked me through the defragging process last night. :)

[Breeze54]

15. Not trying to sarcastic but

I'm going to assume you are running a windows operating system. OS

Click on Start, HELP!!! Click in Search at the top and type the word ...defrag

It will tell you what to do! It's pretty easy! ;)

PS: Having high speed internet access has nothing
to do with scanning your files or how long it takes.

[a kennedy]

18. Thanks......had a friend walk me through it last night......

and I know sounds pretty stupid of me thinking high speed would make a difference. LOL, but I did, sorry to say. :blush:

[Breeze54]

21. Not at all!

Most people don't know this stuff. I only know because I went
to school for it and worked in tech support.
People, with your types of questions, kept me employed!
So, thank YOU!!!! :rofl:


:hi: Glad you got some things taken care of too!

[Jamastiene]

7. My computer takes forever too.

Was your scan an online scan of your computer? Or do you have the software on your computer?

I can say this; the larger your hard drive is, the longer it will take to scan it. It takes my computer almost an hour half to scan. My HD is 40GB. I'd hate to see what it would take if I had gotten the larger HD.

[a kennedy]

12. Yeah, I have software, but I think I'm going to change to what's

been suggested here, that AVG.

[Jamastiene]

17. It will probably still take a while, but not as long.

With mine it cut the time down quite a bit, but I still hate waiting for it. You can do other things while AVG is scanning without slowing down as much too. I think it's better.

[graywarrior]

8. AVG.

[Benfea]

16. Do you mean high speed internet?

If so, that wouldn't make a lick of difference. The scan time mostly has to do with the total number of files on your 'puter.

[ScreamingMeemie]

22. I have learned (thank you MrG) that defragging my computer

once a week saves me almost a whole day of computer related activities. :D :hi: :hug: