I have the exact same computer and I run several spyware scanners along with Avast anti-virus. No problems at all. One program I highly recommend that combines anti-spyware, temp file cleaner, registry cleaner, and a couple of other things is Advanced Windows Care. I keep it updated and run it about once every 10 days or so. It is not an anti-virus program. Give it a try and see how you like it. The link is for the free personal version. Here is a link that might be useful: Advanced Windows Care

When you purchased the original application it included a subscription of upgrades and updates. It was probably a year. If so, on the 366th day from initial installation the application would no longer be able to upgrade the application or update the definitions (.dat files). This is why a user needs to resubscribe when their current application's subscription is expiring or upgrade to the newer version. Based upon my prior readings and personal experience when I used Symantec if you upgraded the application you would loose credit for the days you have remaining on the prior version. If you just renewed the subscription you would retain the current balance and have an additional year added. My caution is that if you do upgrade with the trial v2010 it will ovewrwrite the current version. Then when the 90 days expire you will have no choice but to purchase the v2010. The option to resubscribe with your current version will be voided. Historically the cost for resubscribing a current version was much less than purchasing a new version. Remember when you purchase new you are buying the entire application and the subscription for it. I cannot speak to the cost differential today, but during the time I was using Symantec as I recall it was the difference of $15 versus upwards to $50. Some users upgrade their purchased AV every year. Some every other year. Some not at all as long as it is in the life cycle. All I ever advise to users now is if the cost differential is still somewhat similar to the above mentioned be sure the "improvements and offerings" of the new version merit the expenditure. If any other member comes up with more up-to-date information that is different than what I am sharing please listen to them. It has been a while and perhaps Symantec has changed its corporate thinking in response to the strong competition they have been receiving over the last years. DA

Hmm, FixMeStick - never heard of that one before. Of note : "Not a replacement for anti-virus software which protects PCs from infections, the FixMeStick is for removing infections that got past the anti-virus." About Norton . . . . there are various mentions on av-comparatives.org that Symantec had elected not to participate, although it's not stated as the general reason it's not included so it's a bit of a mystery. I think Aputernut's main point there was to remove any existing AV program before installing another. However, despite that it may work well for some users, it has a reputation in the IT fixit world as being (historically) heavy on resources, and very difficult to remove. It even requires a separate special tool to remove it completely. On the other hand, since a lot of people use it, it probably generates more complaints just by the raw numbers. Your mileage may vary. The problem is, once a program gets a reputation, many people may move away from it and continue to stick with their last impression of it. It's hard to keep up with every iteration of a program. Case in point . . . Internet Explorer, which really lagged for a very long time, but now has somewhat caught up with the competition. Nevertheless, it's left such a bad impression a lot of people won't touch it, myself included. This post was edited by kbarb on Sun, Oct 26, 14 at 11:55

My impressions are based on a limited number of contacts with tech support, but I sense that tech support overseas is harder to communicate with. Part of it is language, part is culture. Overseas tech support seems almost autometronic. They seem to have a script they work from, and if your problem doesn't fit one of their scripts, they can't help. When I asked for help in fixing the problem myself, the only reply he gave me was to ask me to let them take over my computer. And he had no response when I said no. He didn't seem to understand why I refused. And my comment, "There is no way on God's green earth I am giving you access to my computer," didn't resonate with him. This happened on the heels of another tech support call involving my cell phone company. I received an odd e-mail out of the blue from my phone provider that they were going to stop my phone service on a certain date, and when I called, I was told by someone in tech support that they were no longer going to accept payment by PayPal. So I went in to my account to change to another payment method and found myself locked out. I called for help, and they couldn't get into my account. The tech support guy from the phone provider wanted the password for my Paypal account. I refused. And he didn't seem to understand why I would not give it to him. I think someone living in the US would understand this sensitivity on the part of the customer.