Jean I only use MS Essentials on my Win 7 machine. I have been clean since July with the beta version and October with the real stuff. When you get your new computer fired up you will see small icons near the clock. Clicking the up arrow will bring a small pop up where you will see the green bungalow shaped icon for MS Essentials, as long as it is green and has a check mark you are good to go.

There are so many things that can cause a computer to run slowly. When I first work on a slow computer, here are some of the steps I take to resolve the issue. NOTE: If the computer is new and you don't download music or screensavers, it is probably related to running software. - Clean out cookies, temp files, and temp internet files and reboot the computer. - Using Add/Remove programs to remove ONLY programs you have installed OR programs you are SURE will not hinder efficient operation of your computer - Go thru MSCONFIG to turn off unnecessary programs at startup. Use Google to learn about each item. - Use Task Manager (ctrl-alt-del) and check all running processes to ensure each is necessary to run. Use Google to learn about each one. Turning programs off here will only turn them off for this computer session. - Make note of the hard drive size and free space. Try to have at least 25% of the drive free for efficient Windows operations - Check how much RAM you have. Consider purchasing more if under 512mb for WinXP or if under 1 gb for Vista. Crucial is a well-respected site for purchasing additional RAM. - Check your anti-virus settings to see how it is configured, you might be able to change a setting or two to gain a lot more speed. Also, some anti-malware programs do more than protect against viruses - and that causes issues with a lot of computers. - LAST - Run Error-checking and then Defrag. Make sure you check both boxes to *Automatically fix file system error AND *Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors. NOTE: Never run Defrag without running Error-checking first! HTH, Candy G.

Ok...I just copied what it said I needed from the instructions. The installation from my old Dell was all on one disk. I'd be afraid I'd mess up the installation if it ended up on multiple CDs. Maybe I should say that there would be more chance for error on my part. The instructions also said that the USB key should have a minimum capacity of 8 GB. Well, when I go to Control Panel, I see there are 45 programs now with total space of 1.12 GB. So what gives with them saying I need a minimum of 8GB? I'm guessing that it would all go on one of the disks at the link below. About them...it says, "This recordable DVD features AccuCORE technology which is 100x more scratch resistant than standard discs. Fights static, repels stains and fingerprints" Here is a link that might be useful: 25 DVD+RW Re-Recordable DVD 4.7GB

Two steps backwards, one step forward. While dealing with the impending death of my own pc's hard drive, I had plenty of time to work on her computer. I opened the case. Cleaned out the dust bunnies much more thoroughly than I had in October. I found the fan - and actually took it out and cleaned it thoroughly (mostly compressed air, and a little damp cloth). I did remove the label and add a drop of WD 40. (While I was at it, I searched for replacement fans in case this didn't work - and bookmarked some - it would be so simple to replace if needed.) Put the pieces back together and started it up. Still noisy. I started organizing her files, deleting duplicates and ridiculous things she didn't even know she had on there. I put everything in logical folders - then copied her 16GB of video (Ipod videos and flip share) onto a 32mb flash drive. Deleted 8gb of that video bc. it's also on her ipod. Then I ran auslogics defrag. Defrag was 100% successful - and she now has about 15GB free on a 40GB drive. Now the noise is less. I hear the fan a little - but you have to stop to listen. Not sure if it just took running a little for the oil to do it's thing. From what folks said earlier, it's unlikely that freeing up space and defragging reduced the noise. So far, so good. (I even think I could have turned it on with the case open - but i didn't have to.) Thanks. Lynn.