AV Program for old PC

[Powerman2442]

Hello all, I am looking for an AV Program for an older PC. I am looking for a decent one that won't bog down the system to much. I've never owned a PC this slow so I don't know what AV programs, if any, are good. Here are the specifications.

- Intel Pentium 2 350 Mhz
- 2 x 64 (128) MB PC-100 RAM (Got 2 x 256 MB coming in the mail and I am going to use one of the current 64 MB sticks Might eventually buy another 256 stick and max out the ram at 768 MB)
- ATI Rage 2 AGP 8 MB GPU
- 8 GB 5400 RPM ATA-33 HDD
- Windows XP Pro

Not sure if I am going to keep the XP Pro. I got the system from my girlfriend's grandma since it was having a lot of issuse that they knew nothing about, and I got tired of going over to fix them. So we bought them a new Pc and I got their old one. Just trying to make it a decent browseing/e-mail PC.

Thanks,
Powerman2442

[slgrieb]

Well, I'm currently a very partisan NOD32 user, and it does combine a light footprint with excellent protection. But... while your system certainly meets the minimum requirements to run XP, it just won't be a pleasant experience. Personally, I would look at some of the Linux distros. I think you might be happier with the performance even if you just want to do email and browse the Web. That would also ease your AV concerns some. NOD32 is available for Linux. You might also consider AVG, Avira Antivir, and BitDefender if you go the with Linux.

[Powerman2442]

Yeah I am definately switching to Linux, after I figure out what distro. I've used Ubuntu (Kubuntu, and Xubuntu), openSUSE, DSL, PCLinuxOS, Solaris, Debian, Fedora, Mint, Slackware, and some others based off Slackware as well as some no-name distros. I know this computer can run DSL without a problem and most versions based on slackware. Not sure what it can do in terms of Ubuntu, openSUSE, etc.

Got any ideas? My main problem is I need a distro that supports a large variety of wireless NICs. Most computers I have are connected tot he internet via 802.11b/g. I know when I was messing with Ubuntu on my laptop I had insane problems with my wireless card.

[slgrieb]

I missed your other thread completely until just a few minutes ago, or I might have been more restrained about suggesting Linux if I had seen your post about getting a wireless NIC. If it makes you feel better, this wasn't my worst goof of the day. I have an unbathed 10 year old that is about to earn me a serious reaming from my wife.

I think the issue is less about which distribution you use than finding a card that has decent Linux drivers. Ideally, of course, it would be nice if the manufacturer provided them, but you might have to spend some time shopping around to find support for your specific hardware.

[Powerman2442]

Heh, not a problem. I used to have a nice laptop that I finally got working with Ubuntu. Had a Broadcom wireless card in it, never again. I learned a lot on the way though. Anyway, got pretty deep into my job so I ended up selling my laptop. Only to get laid off a month later (still laid off). Got this a figured I would go ahead and play with it. I would install 98SE but I don't have a copy, can't buy one (noone I know sells them), and the only way to get one now is... under the table. ;) I got it with XP Pro on it.

[Niclo Iste]

NOD32 is available for Linux. You might also consider AVG, Avira Antivir, and BitDefender if you go the with Linux.


Just a side note for ya SL but last time I talked to the sales team and tech support at ESET the linux version of NOD32 was only a server based scanner meant to remotely scan windows machines.

[Powerman2442]

Just a side note for ya SL but last time I talked to the sales team and tech support at ESET the linux version of NOD32 was only a server based scanner meant to remotely scan windows machines.

As with most Linux AV scanners they usually scan for malacious code that infects Windows based computers because even though the code can't harm a Linux OS they can be transmitted to thoughs who have yet to convert. ;)

[NooNoo]

Go with Avira on windows... and get that RAM going!!

[slgrieb]

Just a side note for ya SL but last time I talked to the sales team and tech support at ESET the linux version of NOD32 was only a server based scanner meant to remotely scan windows machines.

Mostly correct, and I was either having Senior Moment or obsessing over bath and cat barf cleaning issues. No, you don't want the details. The have, I think 3 Linux products, but the are intended for servers, and offer for like 3 flavors. Good indication of how much Linux expertise I have, huh?

Anyway, I think Noo makes a good call with Avira. Avast got a fail a while back on the VB100 test, and I'm not so high on either BitDefender or AVG on any platform.