FastClass

Got curious so I did a little digging on the term "searchqu". Had personally never heard it before. It is generally considered "adaware". Many times comes included with programs that are free to download and use. A lesson to learn when downloading and installing any program. Do not blindly click through the install process. Read and understand just what else may be included with the desired program that is not needed, wanted, or even desirable to have on your PC.

What`s a "searchqu"? Glad you got it figured out.

A google search for square port big block headers produces a bunch of info and shops. Totally understand your reluctance to order sight unseen online. Maybe the search will lead to a shop near you. Edit; Not sure where I got BB from.

Some may fiind these tips and tweaks useful.

If you use both Google Chrome and Microsoft Security Essentials you may have experienced some problems recently' Google Pushes Update For Chrome to Fix Faulty Microsoft Malware Detection Google has pushed out an update for its Chrome browser that fixes a problem caused by the incident last week in which Microsoft Security Essentials mistakenly detected the browser as the Zeus bot and removed it from some machines. The update should automatically fix any damaged Chrome installations. https://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/googl...etection-100311 Thank you to my good Fried Snoopy for bringing this to my attention.

When you surf, with any browser, some form history of where you`v been is kept on your PC. The incognito mode deletes that history from your PC. It does nothing to eliminate any tracking of you by "who ever" while you were inline. Your right. Someone, somewhere does track you. To an extent it is necessary. But what information they collect varies. Since 9/11 all ISP`s are required to keep records for I believe 6 months. Normally they consist of only sites visited. But, unless the records are needed for legal matters, they are never seen and discarded after that time period. Have also been told by the Admin of another site that they are now mandated by law to keep records of PM`s, chat`s, etc. in case of instances of sexual harassment, threats of violence, and other things outside the norm. In this age of the Internet information harvesting = big $$$$. That is the commercial aspect. Targeted advertising and SPAM in your inbox are only part of it. Did`t you ever wonder why certain ad`s are on your screen. Chances are they are different then the one`s seen by someone in the same area but with different interests and surfing habits.

Since a previous thread brought the usage of the Google Chrome browser up, thought I would pass this info along. I`m sure most are`t aware. Perhaps some won`t care. But worth a read IMHO. Taken in part from the article. Tweaking Your Personal Freedom & Privacy in Google Chrome Quote: One should realize that maybe Google Chrome’s policy is not good at all when you realize: *If you use Google Chrome, Google will know every URL you type into the location bar. *Google will know (almost) every partial URL you type into the location bar. *Moreover, they will know every word or phrase you type into the location bar, even if you type it and then delete it before pressing enter. *They will also know every word or phrase you type into the location bar, even if you type it and then delete it before pressing enter. *All this information can be linked with your main Google account, because Google sends your cookie along with every automatic search it performs from the location bar. Entire article here.

That would be nice to have. Thank you Bruce and Ian.

Not sure what you expect from going to a MAC. Other then spending pretty big bucks. You will have a whole new learning curve to go through. Many of the programs you are now used to will not work. You will need to find replacements. Then learn how to use them. They get viruses too. Just like anything, the more popular they become the more the bad guy`s go after them. A new MAC exploit was just found in the wild a few days ago. http://www.macworld.com/article/159595/2011/05/macdefender_trojan_horse.html Other MAC related news. http://www.securemac.com/ All systems can be cracked. As usage by the public grows the rewards for finding and exploiting them increases for the badguys. Please do not be lulled into a false sense of security\immunity that many, falsely, are.

Not sure what hoops your having to jump through? Do you have a .pdf reading program even installed since you newly installed XP? If it is`t a personal private sort of form can you post a link here and I can see just what we are dealing with?

In the beginning Chrome was more secure. But it has since been exploited. And, as it becomes more popular it develops as even a bigger bulls-eye for the bad guys. Truth be told. Most Crackers use Opera. Really unsure why and do`t ask me how I know. AVG may have corrected some issues it was having. Do`t know. Have not used it in years. The problem had gotten so bad with an early version 10 release of AVG that several of the Tech sites I frequent(ed) quit suggesting\endorsing it. Of course as all things computer related go, your mileage may vary. Use a reputable program and be a safe surfer.

I agree with dumping Norton. After doing so and going with a new AV you may even notice your PC being a bit faster. MSE and Avast are both highly thought of and rated well. MSE is free and Avast has a free version. I prefer Avast but I`m a tinkerer. If you want an install and forget program then go with MSE. My suggestion is to download your choice. Then go to Add\remove and uninstall Norton followed by following the directions and running the utility on this page. Restart your PC and install the new AV. Am curious of the trouble(s) you are having with Norton and FF. Have not read of any anywhere.

Use Firefox here as well. Heavily tweaked. My situation with IE is that I turn off automatic Windows updates as well. I check manually for them the second Tuesday of every month. < Their scheduled monthly release if any are developed. I need IE to do this. The only catch to this is that once in a while a critical flaw is found and a patch\update is released out of cycle.

First, no, you can not remove, uninstall\delete IE in any way. At best you can roll it back a version or two to either 6 or 5 using Add\remove programs in control panel. Microsoft has built it into Windows in such away it can`t not be totally removed and attempting to do so can break the operating system. You should have been given the option when installing Chrome to make it your default Browser. Did you do that? Chrome is a very bare bones browser, pretty fast too. One of the reasons many like it. But that come`s with a price = some features normally found in other browsers are left out. I only played with it for a very short time on a spare PC. Yes, it was fast, but as mentioned, lacking in some features I need and use. I did not like their EULA = End User Lic. agreement. I`m probably one of the few that ever read EULA`s. Chrome, Google are a bit to nosy for my taste. I dumped Chrome after a very brief try out. Still need Google for much of my Tech info. The people HERE can provide far more help then I can regarding the workings and getting it set up to your liking.

By all means compensate him. But keep in mind what you consider a major melt down may have been an easy, though time consuming, fix to him. In many cases the PC can fix itself. Someone just has to know what buttons to push in the proper program(s). Then we can walk away or set and watch the screen while it shows you what is happening inside the PC.