New user needs help; numerous issues with Windows 7

richc46 said:

You wrote quite a bit I will answer as many points as I can one at at Time

Go to windows security essentials and download the great, but free A/V

http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

The installation video for this says to uninstall all the other security programs I already DLed: AVG, Avast (still not able to register this yet), and Malwarebyte (Scanner only function, can't afford to purchase the license to enable the other functions). Since I can't seem to use them, Avast and Malwarebyte can be dropped, but I am wondering if there is some kind of incompatibility between WSE and AVG, or if it is safe to have both installed? Do they each have a virus database that may be significantly different from each other? Like, can one protect against viruses that the other can't and vice versa? If they are incompatible, which one offers the most security and largest/most comprehensive virus database?

Thanks guys for the help attempts. I have been working on this for 43 hours straight since 10am Tuesday, but don't seem to have made any progess. The only way I have been able to keep up with responses here without having to be on this site only and constantly refreshing to see if there had been a new response; or having to have 2 open WIE windows, one for here, and one for gmail, and constantly refreshing each to check responses; is because my Blackberry notifies me whenever I receive an email telling me there is a new post. So far, the only real advantage of the PC over my Blackberry is being able to access Flash Media, but I am having a really hard time justifying letting my mom spend so much money for one feature. Anyone know if mini-netbooks can access Flash Media?
Anyone in the market for a new Thinkpad?
I think I need to to put my hair up so I don't end up pulling it out, and take a nap for a few hours.

Ann,
general word of advice [since its been 5 yrs since your last new PC] on obtaining "free" software. There are MANY sites that have programs like AVG, Avast and other such free [versions of] software available to install... for a FEE !!! That may be where some of your confusion is coming from.

Make sure that when you obtain these install packages, that you get them from the original vendors web site. They should be safe and virus free.. after all their reputation depends on it being so :)

This may have been your issue with Thunderbird ... only get it from Mozilla site.
for example.. the free version of AVG is here..
AVG Free - Upgrade Free Antivirus

but strangely enough NOT here !!
http://www.avg.com

Apologies if this is old news to you, but the internet world is now fraught with traps for the unwary.. like the popup window that says your machine is infected with everything under the sun [its really not] and and click here to clean.. That actually installs what we call malware... REALLY ANNOYING software that essentially forces you to their website to buy a key which will turn off those annoyances - like being unable to browse.. 'cus the site your are going to is "infected" and you are blocked for your own safety. Yeah, like microsoft.com has viruses.!!???? These programs re very difficult to remove, and the average person will NOT be successful in doing so.. requires a level of tech skill available to those who work in the industry ["geeks"]

gregrocker said:

The link provided to Avast is from the most reputable download/review site on the web, CNET:

gregrocker said:

http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Home-Edition-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html

I posted it so she could read the rave reviews of the program and have a safe download which is FREE and has always been FREE.

She only needs to click the "Register" button on the activation windows.

Apparently it is not DLing properly. I couldn't get the button to do anything, so I tried uninstalling it, which took a few tries, kept getting an "error in uninstallation" msg. I thought I finally got the uninstall to work, but after restarting, I went to your link and tryied DLing again, and the first problem I noticed, was a msg that said the Avast file already existed, and asked if I wanted to replace it, so the unistall all components apparently didn't work like I thought it had. I went ahead and clicked yes to replace and re-DLed, but now the opening box has a text window to enter registration key and two buttons: open and cancel. The registration button is now gone.
Like I mentioned earlier, when I ran Malwarebytes's lone Scanner option, I noticed that a ton of files started with C:\Windows\System32, but I am supposedly running W7 Home Premium *64*, but I did not see anything labeled 64 in the system files. Could this indicate a factory OS installation screw-up that is preventing me from DLing these programs properly?

First, you don't have to register avast right away but it is free, they just email you a reg key, next your 64 bit system still has 32 bit files that is part of a 64 bit system.
edit: the program files are 64 bit and the x86 are 32 bit.

Ann:

The answer to your last question is no.

On a 64 bit system:

32 bit application files are installed into C:\Program Files(x86)

32 bit system files are installed into C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64

64 bit application files are installed to C:\Program Files and C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32

ignatzatsonic said:

Ann:

The answer to your last question is no.

On a 64 bit system:

32 bit applications files are installed into C:\Program Files(x86)

32 bit system files are installed into C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64

64 bit application files are installed to C:\Program Files and C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32

Thank you ignatzasonic for explaining that better.:)

I think you should uninstall Avast in Programs and Features, then restart your computer and download/install again..

When it brings up the box to insert activation key, just click on Register there.

They will email you a key to cut and paste in the box. Then you can forget about it.