Recently I received a message from AVG Grisoft informing me the free edition of their software will cease. I really like AVG Antivirus and do not want to lose the software. Can you recommend any other antivirus programs? (more…)

My computer had a major spyware infection so I reinstalled Windows. Since doing so, whenever I attempt to burn a CD the process can take up to 40 minutes, whereas it only took about 10 minutes before the reinstallation. The DVD drive has been replaced under warranty but the problem persists. Is it possible the computer is missing some software required for the drive to function? The computer is running Windows XP with a 16x DVD-RW drive. (more…)

I regularly correspond using email with many people overseas, including several Japanese friends. Recently I have been receiving up to four unwanted Japanese language emails each day - some of these are adverts for Viagra and others look like inappropriate websites. Despite running the full gamut of Norton security software, most of these emails are not identified as spam. Prior to deleting each message I always block the address of the sender, but this has hardly affected the flow of new spam. Can anything else be done to stop the receipt of this spam, and is there any point in collectively advising my Japanese correspondents that one of them presumably has a worm in his system? Alternatively, could I prohibit all mail containing Japanese characters, as my correspondents address me in English? (more…)

A computer setup with multiple monitors provides an excellent method to gain more desktop real-estate. However, there are a few little things which are missing in the default setup, such as the taskbar not extending across multiple screens, and difficulties in easily moving program windows between screens. However, there is a great program called UltraMon (realtimesoft.com/ultramon) which can solve many of these little issues. While UltraMon is not free (US$39.95 for a single licence) it is definitely worth the money if you have multiple monitors. You can download a 30-day trial from their website and try it for yourself. (more…)

When I logon to the internet the computer is very slow to download emails and the home page of my ISP. I suspect the source of this slowness is Norton and Microsoft going online and interrogating my computer for the status of these two programs. How can I prevent these from automatically having access to my computer, as I want to be in control and authorise access when I am ready? (more…)