Thanks, Raven. I'm sure he's behind on lots of stuff. Early in 2009, I had him change his update settings to notify him of updates, but not automatically download. That was to hold off on sp1 (at a time when I think I read here that folks were having trouble with it - but I didn't follow that topic, so didn't realize sp1 had become a good idea and that sp2 followed). We also set it that way bc. his computer was automatically updating and then rebooting when he was in the middle of doing other things. So this was to allow him to time his own downloads and installations. But he just never thought of it - and I didn't think I needed to keep track for him. I do keep track of his Avast, superantispyware, malwarebyte and spywareblaster. Every now and then when he's done surfing I have him leave out the laptop and go ahead and update and scan. I'll have to keep track of more than that, obviously. I got foxit reader on my ancient laptop in my office and love it. It takes so little room and does what I need quickly. Do you like pdf-xchange viewer more than foxit reader? Or does he need to use firefox to use foxit reader? I installed firefox for him - and set up tabs with the places he likes to go (did that in the summer) - but he hasn't used it. He's a bit resistant to tech changes. He balked when I got Tivo's - although he loves it now. He's a musician - and I got him Protools so he could record the music he wrote. That was over 1 1/2 years ago - and he hasn't learned it yet - he's barely scratched the surface. Last spring he bought an Imac bc. it was better for recording music. And now he's finally setting up his den and equipment. I'm hoping he'll actually learn the software this year. I'll take care of the rest for him so the only learning curve he has is Protools (certainly the most challenging of them all). But I digress. I'll check his other updates and run Secunia - I'm pretty sure I already put that on his computer last year. Thanks. Lynn.

don't think I make myself very clear to you computer whizes. I had a problem before Christmas, where as I was sent to the Landown (sp) forums. I was getting the help I needed until I could not log onto the internet anymore and there were various other problems. I have HAD an external hard drive connected for about 6 months, where everything was backed up. I took my computer in, and they told me I had a bad hard drive, so I had it replaced and also I TOOK my external hard drive in also. Now I don't understand why MS Office was not on the new hard drive, I called them and they said that is common. also I did not understand where my music went unless I FORGOT to back it up, but I did back up Windows Media Player, where I thought all my music was safe. Now we are at the problem with the Red Shield for Windows Security,the date and time on the computer was wrong and I fixed that. I will just leave this here, and thanks for the help. PK

Actually, you're probably better off that they didn't install the new drive. I think that when they do, they just pull the old drive and replace it with a blank one. This way, at least you've got the opportunity to transfer stuff. If I were you, I'd get an external drive enclosure so that you can transfer things from the old drive to the new one. If you have to return the old one to Dell, get something that will completely erase the old drive. Just deleting the files or reformatting leaves it in a state where data can be restored. I've bought refurbished drives before that had sensitive data on them. If you don't have to return it, either buy spinrite to recover the drive as much as possible or drill some holes through it and throw it out.

if you want help from us then and then won't do what tasks are asked then there is no way we can help you. WE could send you to one of the support forums specific for clean up but you must run the scans and tasks that are asked for us to see what is on the machine if we don't know then there is no way to help clean it. If zep is asking you to run something you can rest assured it is NOT something to hurt you it is to see what you have lurking on the pc. There is a difference between antivirus programs and all the other things you mentioned. You can only have one Antivirus program running at a time you have MSE that is fine. You can have several other anti malware programs on the pc because they do not run till you start them up and run a scan you only do one at a time. Malwarebytes is great be sure you update it prior to running the full scan weekly, another is superantispyware also update prior to running full scan. The other thing you should have is spywareblaster you just open it weekly and hit the update button then hit enable all protection so the shield turns green that is it it sits there and does it's thing. I would also suggest putting WOT on your browsers so you are warned if a site has a bad reputation or is dangerous. Use this tool regularly to check for updates to other things on your pc , the majority of infections today are happening because of not updating your flash, java, adobe etc programs they must be updated and so must windows so do all those updates. Secunia Online Software Inspector (OSI) run online virus scans occasionally to see if they find something your MSE missed ESET�s Free Online Scanner You want to quarantine because if it happens to be something that was needed then you can go back and get it, when they are in quarantine you need not worry about them just leave them alone. If you would feel better going to a support forum for help in examining what you are dealing with here is the link, you will need to register there and post your question in this forum area. I am there also if you need help let me know. Analysis and Malware Removal If you read through some of the posts there you will see how many people are helped and are thankful for that kind of free assistance.