Expert: Keith Davis - 7/1/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I was using Avast Anti-virus program with Windows XP.  The computer starting rebooting by itself over and over.  After much hardware troubleshooting and re-installing XP, it appears the problem was caused by Avast.  I uninstalled Avast.
Question: with XP SP3 and IE 8 protections, is anti-virus even necessary anymore?  If so, are there any free anti-virus programs you recommend for this XP SP3/ IE 8 system?

Thank you,
Jeff

ANSWER: Yes.
I would try AVG free. You can get the no-hassle free version here: http://www.filehippo.com/download_avg_antivirus/
More than likely the problem you had was caused by an incompatibility issue between Avast and XP SP3. I never went past SP2 with any of my XP computers. I have even fixed some computers that were totally bogged down by removing SP3. I believe MS knew they were going to have problems with SP3. That is why you can go to add/remove programs and uninstall it. I don't remember SP1 or 2 having this ability.
As long as your computer did not get slower with SP3, I would not worry about it. Just try AVG.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you.

I downloaded AVG and am using it.  
I am on SP2, but don't know how to stop SP3 from downloading, without getting those constant annoying "Your computer might be at risk.  Automatic Updates is turned off.  Click this balloon to fix the problem".  So I am gradually downloading it.  Besides, I THINK I need all of SP3 because I need Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Setup, which is necessary to re-download an updated Chipset driver for my PC.  However, after I downloaded Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Setup (still only have SP2), it keeps giving me a "Setup Error". I THINK I need to download the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Setup along with all of SP3, THEN I can download the driver I need.

The other problem I seem to be having so far is when I browse websites, I frequently get the message: "Work Offline.  No connection to the Internet is currently available.  To view Internet content that has been saved on your computer, click Work Offline.  Click Try Again to attempt to connect.
Work Offline   Try Again
When I click on Try Again it seems to always work.  Any ideas?  

Someone else said to use Microsoft Security Essentials.  What do you think?  

I am on dial-up.

Thanks,
Jeff

Answer
Usually you can download the .NET framework updates separately. If it as you say and the latest will not work with SP2 you may have to have SP3. What SP did your computer come with? The times I have seen SP3 bog down a computer is when the computer's original OS was SP0 or SP1.
I'm not familiar with MS security essentials or what it has to do with your problem. I believe you are having some kind of driver issue and/or a modem issue with your dial-up. It should hold a connection unless it is totally idle for a while.