www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

The subscription expired and I didn't renew it.

After about 4 weeks my computer started playing up with virtual memory problems etc.

Uninstalled spyware doc and the problems gone away just like that.

Not suggesting they put a bug in the program to get you to renew, but it looks like it.

Scruff,

do you think it actually makes the computer any better by running any of this software, at all???

I literally just use Security Essentials - nothing else. Never have any issues, problems, spyware, etc (assuming I stuck some software on to scan).

Perhaps I'm just lucky...

Yes BG I do, I've had my share of problems, even had a load of Trojans opening a link on UHM, although that was my own silly fault for not concentrating on what I was doing.

Also got whacked by stopforumspam

If they were devious or malicious enough to actully plant this on your PC, I would have thought they would have had it hide somewhere other then in their own program

Don't know Dave, there's something in there that is activated when you first load it, and it tell you when it's time for renewal.

Just seemed odd that practically the day it ran out the computer started slowing right down and chucking up error messages.

This is not my main computer by the way BG, but an older one I use for general use and searching the net..

What version of Windows you got Scruff?

BG

the reason I ask, is that if you have Win 7 Pro or Ultimate, then you can (easily) use XP Mode. It's virtual machine technology.....and you can download an XP image directly, hassle free.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/wind ... ws-xp-mode

It means you have a VM (virtual machine) that has it's own VHD (virtual hard disk). You can lock it or copy it if you think you are going to browse somewhere dodgy. It's basically Windows inside Windows - but it can access all of your resources (if you want), including internet, etc.

I do this a LOT for my work - I run virtualised enviroments for testing, Server 2008, XP, Win7 and WindowsPE for demos, troubleshooting and training on site - all from my laptop (it's a Core i7, dual HDDS, 8GB DDR3, etc....).

The nice thing with VMs is that you can set it up EXACTLY how you like it and copy it -(close the VM, copy, paste - done!!). Sooooooo, if you think it's broke or you are going somewhere dodgy or want to open attachements, you can do it - then just close the VM and delete it (then copy your 'master' again....for another spare). Repeat and rinse.

Your machine is WAYYYYYYYY more than capable for this kind of stuff. Wouldn't even notice it was running.

BG

XP on the computer in question.

I have a lot of software that wont work after xp and can't be adapted, my Sony HD AVCHD video camera and an AGFA photo scanner for example.

I like having 2-3 computers running at the same time when I'm working.

I actually have a virtual windows xp on my Mac notebook pro

BillyGoat wrote:the reason I ask, is that if you have Win 7 Pro or Ultimate, then you can (easily) use XP Mode. It's virtual machine technology.....and you can download an XP image directly, hassle free.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/wind ... ws-xp-mode

It means you have a VM (virtual machine) that has it's own VHD (virtual hard disk). You can lock it or copy it if you think you are going to browse somewhere dodgy. It's basically Windows inside Windows - but it can access all of your resources (if you want), including internet, etc.

I do this a LOT for my work - I run virtualised enviroments for testing, Server 2008, XP, Win7 and WindowsPE for demos, troubleshooting and training on site - all from my laptop (it's a Core i7, dual HDDS, 8GB DDR3, etc....).

The nice thing with VMs is that you can set it up EXACTLY how you like it and copy it -(close the VM, copy, paste - done!!). Sooooooo, if you think it's broke or you are going somewhere dodgy or want to open attachements, you can do it - then just close the VM and delete it (then copy your 'master' again....for another spare). Repeat and rinse.

Your machine is WAYYYYYYYY more than capable for this kind of stuff. Wouldn't even notice it was running.

BG

You can run XP Mode on the other versions of 7. One of the many workarounds here