You're welcome...I'll do the best I can.
1) Not all updates are pushed through auto update. If you are relying on
that feature, as I recall all critical updates are pushed through but
optional updates are at the Windows Update website. I can't say for sure
what updates have come in recently as I'm running XP SP2 beta at the moment
but other than that I know there have been a few security issues in the last
few weeks and it would seem there would have been updates to cover them.
That said, if you received an update today, it shows the feature is working.
Assuming you are at the very least running a firewall and antivirus software
which you also keep up to date, that should keep you pretty safe.
I don't know what's going on with Windows 98 updates, you might try asking
on a 98 group.
Whoever told you a firewall is not necessary on dialup didn't know what they
were talking about. If you connect to the internet, regardless of
connection type and wish to be safe, you absolutely, positively should
connect through a firewall.
The price of Norton Internet Security is high but if you figure the cost of
separate antivirus and firewall applications, $70 is about right for such a
suite. As to compatibility with AOL, I can't say but if you have any issues
in that regard as a result, contact AOL tech support. Their tech support is
usually first rate, at least that has been my experience with them when
working on other people's systems and they usually have experience with such
issues.
That said, if you note some issues access websites after installing Norton,
understand it has numerous settings for blocking various items so you may
have to disable, usually temporarily, some items to gain such access. The
most common such items that might block access are its cookie blocking
feature, ad blocking and.or popup blocking. This is not unusual, even stand
alone software specific to those features can cause such issues. At most
sites it won't be a problem but at some sites you can expect such issues so
keep this in mind and grow accustomed to dealing with Norton's preferences
and options.
If you bank online or trade stock online, you may very well run into this
type of issue and as I said, it would be the case with any software of this
type, I'm just alerting you to things for which to be alert.
Also note, Norton runs a little heavy on the system. By that I mean, the
system may not seem quite as fast as your used to. That said, Norton is a
complex application and extends itself throughout your setup. Most people
don't have any issues with it but if they do it can be a real bear. Before
installing Norton be sure you data is backed up. Also, it would be a good
idea to create a manual restore point in System Restore and you might want
to check to be sure System Restore is running properly before you install
Norton. To access System Restore go to Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore. To test it, go to that
location and follow the screens to make a manual restore point, then restore
the system to it to make sure this is functioning properly. That way, if
there are any issues with Norton, you have a first line of defense for
recovery. Before attempting anything more drastic if things go wrong.
Good luck.
--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org:
http://www.dts-l.org/
Once again, thanks for your help. If, at any time, you
cannot answer or rather not answer, just let me know.
Re: ====
2) Not true. Updates are coming out as needed. If
there's a security patch, they're not going to wait and
there have been several updates in the
last few weeks.====
As I mentioned, I haven't received a Critical Update on
WinXP since the april 18 updates with the KB835732 and
several others on that day. No more until today when there
was one - KB840374. None on Win98SE since 2/4/04. That is
why I thought they stopped sending Critical Updates on
Win98.
======
We have decided to buy Norton Internet Security 2004
(fairly high price [$70], but think we do need it - the
free ones are too complicated we are told), which is
supposed to include FireWall and AntiVirus and supposedly
works with WinXP; AOL(9); and IE6. We (my wife and I-
senior citizens both) are frightened of the Sasser worm.
Someone said a firewall is not necessary if we use dial-up
(we use home telephone wire to connect to AOL). But we
again were told a firewall is necessary. So many different
answers from different people.
-----Original Message-----
You're welcome.
1) It's worth a try plugging the mouse into its own port instead of the port
on the keyboard. Plug it directly into the laptop. Some devices don't like
hubs and the port on the back of most devices as opposed to those on the PC
are essentially hubs.
2) Not true. Updates are coming out as needed. If there's a security
patch, they're not going to wait and there have been several updates in the
last few weeks.
3) Those are simply referencing the onboard ports. The enhanced controller
is indicative of USB 2.0 as opposed to 1.1. You seem to have both on this
system. Some of what you are seeing are the controllers and the others are
the actual ports the controllers control. Are they necessary? The are
simply a reference to what is built into the system. The problem is the
mouse, not the controllers or ports. If there was an issue with the
controllers or ports, you'd see a yellow or red warning next to those items
in Device Manager. Further, you appear to not have the problem when the
mouse is not plugged into the system.
--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org:
http://www.dts-l.org/
.
