[psuKinger]

Hi guys.


I'd been getting an annoying amount of Blue Screen Of Death (BSOD) failures/shutdowns for many months now. It was often enough that it annoyed me, but not so often that I had a strong enough a motivation to begin considering stripping everything down and starting fresh (because it would be a big pain-in-the-butt to do so).


I get the "IRQL-not-less-or-equal" error message, which to my understanding is generally an indication of either a bad driver or sometimes a problem with your antivirus.


2-3 days ago, while tinkering for a fix, (I've previously tried updating other drivers, such as my AMD graphics drivers, and that hadn't helped), I updated my Ceton InfiniTV drivers, and I installed something like 8 new Windows Updates that came through. And now, my BSOD frequency has increased to the point where this is no longer "annoying", and has become "unacceptable". I can't live with/ignore this at this point. I have to take action, drastic-or-otherwise.


I'm going to uninstall a couple of programs that are on that I'm no longer using... to see if that helps. If that doesn't, my thought was to possibly change my AntiVirus program, before going with the "nuclear" option (stripping down and starting from scratch). I'm currently using the free version of AVG. Prior to becoming a HTPC user, I was a Norton guy, but I found Norton to be very difficult with some of the "HTPC Things" I wanted to do (particularly port-forwading to set up Remote Potato).


Any HTPC users have an antivirus recommendation for me?

 

[techmattr]

I use BitDefender on most of my machines and MS Security Essentials on machines where I was 0 interference from AV. My daily "machine" is a VM that has no AV though.

 

[Osirus23]

MSE (Windows 7)

Windows Defender (Windows 8.1)


And common sense, running IE11 in enhanced protected mode and don't still shady stuff.

 

[captain_video]

+1 for MSE on Windows 7. It's unobtrusive and won't impact Media Center applications. I've tried Kaspersky and ESET NOD32 in the past and both had problems on a WMC platform. Kaspersky wreaks havoc with WMC and interrupts even the most basic tasks.

 

[ElJimador]

I use Kaspersky on my laptop but no AV software on my HTPC or server, since aside from downloading updates or fiddling with YouTube or Vimeo add-ons once in a blue moon there's nothing I do with them that extends outside my home network.


Can't say I did much comparison shopping before I landed on Kaspersky but what I like is that's a lot less obtrusive than Norton and some of the others that usually come pre-installed on new laptops (ie. no annoying pop-ups and super slow performance while a scan is running in background).

 

[ElJimador]



Quote:
Originally Posted by captain_video  /t/1522507/what-antivirus-software-do-you-guys-use#post_24481317


+1 for MSE on Windows 7. It's unobtrusive and won't impact Media Center applications. I've tried Kaspersky and ESET NOD32 in the past and both had problems on a WMC platform. Kaspersky wreaks havoc with WMC and interrupts even the most basic tasks.

Interesting. I didn't know Kaspersky doesn't play nice with WMC since I use VLC on my laptop. I'll take your word for it though.

 

[captain_video]

It's been years since I used it, but I seem to recall the UAC window popped up every time you tried to do something, regardless of how you had it configured. Kaspersky would think bad things were happening even when they weren't. It's like it was paranoid delusional or something.

 

[Mfusick]

I only use free anti virus. I never do anything special. MSE is enough for me. I am a founding member of the "never had a virus in my life club"


The real deterrent to getting a virus or crap on your PC is clean installing your OS often as part of normal maintenance, and being intelligent about what you click, what you download, and what you do on your PC. No anti virus or paid software can compete with these two simple free things in terms of effectiveness IMO.


If I even think I might have gotten a virus or spam or anything funky I either clean install or I restore to a known backup point before that. If you are suspect or do suspect things you can also surf or live inside a virtual machine. Anti virus software is really a noob approach IMO.

 

[ajhieb]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick  /t/1522507/what-antivirus-software-do-you-guys-use#post_24481459


I only use free anti virus. I never do anything special. MSE is enough for me. I am a founding member of the "never had a virus in my life club"


The real deterrent to getting a virus or crap on your PC is clean installing your OS often as part of normal maintenance, and being intelligent about what you click, what you download, and what you do on your PC. No anti virus or paid software can compete with these two simple free things in terms of effectiveness IMO.


If I even think I might have gotten a virus or spam or anything funky I either clean install or I restore to a known backup point before that. If you are suspect or do suspect things you can also surf or live inside a virtual machine. Anti virus software is really a noob approach IMO.

Your confusing cure and prevention.


Safe surfing and Antivirus fall under prevention.


Clean installing your OS is a cure.


Claiming that frequent installs of your OS has deterred viruses is similar to claiming that taking antibiotics prevented you from catching a disease. Neither prevented anything, they simply cured the infection before it became a problem.


Just out of curiosity, how many times has the founding member of the "never had a virus in my life" club formatted his hard drive because he thought he "might have gotten a virus or spam or anything funky"?


Personally, I use MSE.

 

[psuKinger]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick  /t/1522507/what-antivirus-software-do-you-guys-use#post_24481459


I only use free anti virus. I never do anything special. MSE is enough for me. I am a founding member of the "never had a virus in my life club"


The real deterrent to getting a virus or crap on your PC is clean installing your OS often as part of normal maintenance, and being intelligent about what you click, what you download, and what you do on your PC. No anti virus or paid software can compete with these two simple free things in terms of effectiveness IMO.


If I even think I might have gotten a virus or spam or anything funky I either clean install or I restore to a known backup point before that. If you are suspect or do suspect things you can also surf or live inside a virtual machine. Anti virus software is really a noob approach IMO.

In general, I use the internet browser on my HTPC to:

Stream Netflix, HBOGo, and SiriusXM

Log workouts that I do in my basement on GoogleDocs / Fitocracy

Google around for solutions to problems and/or things I want to do with my HTPC. Things like solutions to the IRQL-Not-Less-Or-Equal, new software, etc.




In the past two years, I'm not sure AVG has flagged even one suspicious/malicious file/virus. Further proof that maybe I don't need it... I'll google around about "MSE", and consider trying to install that this weekend. Thanks so much, guys.


If anyone out there has any experience with AVG+HTPC, though, please feel free to post. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has good (or bad) experiences with this combo... I'm not terribly optimistic that this is my problem, but it sure would be an easier fix than starting-from-scratch again!

 

[Mfusick]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ajhieb  /t/1522507/what-antivirus-software-do-you-guys-use/0_100#post_24481507


Your confusing cure and prevention.


Safe surfing and Antivirus fall under prevention.


Clean installing your OS is a cure.


Claiming that frequent installs of your OS has deterred viruses is similar to claiming that taking antibiotics prevented you from catching a disease. Neither prevented anything, they simply cured the infection before it became a problem.


Just out of curiosity, how many times has the founding member of the "never had a virus in my life" club formatted his hard drive because he thought he "might have gotten a virus or spam or anything funky"?


Personally, I use MSE.

Perhaps once. Twice. In a decade.


Like I said being smart about how you use your PC is a lot more effective than relying on an antivirus program to protect you.


My installing or re-installing and the decision was simply encouraged by some gunk on my system, but never a virus BTW. The last time I got a virus I was downloading MP3's on Kazaa over a phone line I think.

 

[Mfusick]



Quote:
Originally Posted by psuKinger  /t/1522507/what-antivirus-software-do-you-guys-use/0_100#post_24481513


In general, I use the internet browser on my HTPC to:

Stream Netflix, HBOGo, and SiriusXM

Log workouts that I do in my basement on GoogleDocs / Fitocracy

Google around for solutions to problems and/or things I want to do with my HTPC. Things like solutions to the IRQL-Not-Less-Or-Equal, new software, etc.




In the past two years, I'm not sure AVG has flagged even one suspicious/malicious file/virus. Further proof that maybe I don't need it... I'll google around about "MSE", and consider trying to install that this weekend. Thanks so much, guys.


If anyone out there has any experience with AVG+HTPC, though, please feel free to post. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has good (or bad) experiences with this combo... I'm not terribly optimistic that this is my problem, but it sure would be an easier fix than starting-from-scratch again!

Yes. With normal intelligent use of a PC on trusted sites (HBO, Netflix, and Google are on my trusted list) you are fine. MSE is Microsoft security Essentials. It's free from Microsoft. It offers a basic and appropriate level of protection for someone that uses the PC like you do.

 

[ajhieb]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick  /t/1522507/what-antivirus-software-do-you-guys-use#post_24481534


Perhaps once. Twice. In a decade.


Like I said being smart about how you use your PC is a lot more effective than relying on an antivirus program to protect you.


My installing or re-installing and the decision was simply encouraged by some gunk on my system, but never a virus BTW. The last time I got a virus I was downloading MP3's on Kazaa over a phone line I think.

You might want to look up the definition of "never"


That said, I agree, there is no better preventative measure than not putting yourself at risk in the first place. Much like the only real "safe" sex is not doing it at all. Antivirus, would be the closest equivalent to a condom and formatting your hard drive would be like going to the free clinic a few days afterward. It may be an effective cure, but it shouldn't even be mentioned when talking about preventative measures.

 

[Osirus23]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick  /t/1522507/what-antivirus-software-do-you-guys-use#post_24481459


I am a founding member of the "never had a virus in my life club"

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick  /t/1522507/what-antivirus-software-do-you-guys-use#post_24481534


The last time I got a virus I was downloading MP3's on Kazaa over a phone line I think.

 

[ElJimador]

As far as prevention goes, doesn't 98% of it really come down to Don't Download Torrents and Don't Surf Porn? I mean let's be honest. If you're not doing either of those things how concerned do you really need to be about your antivirus software, especially on a HTPC?

 

[Osirus23]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ElJimador  /t/1522507/what-antivirus-software-do-you-guys-use#post_24481603


As far as prevention goes, doesn't 98% of it really come down to Don't Download Torrents and Don't Surf Porn? I mean let's be honest. If you're not doing either of those things how concerned do you really need to be about your antivirus software, especially on a HTPC?

That's a complete myth.

 

[Mfusick]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ajhieb  /t/1522507/what-antivirus-software-do-you-guys-use/0_100#post_24481570


You might want to look up the definition of "never"


That said, I agree, there is no better preventative measure than not putting yourself at risk in the first place. Much like the only real "safe" sex is not doing it at all. Antivirus, would be the closest equivalent to a condom and formatting your hard drive would be like going to the free clinic a few days afterward. It may be an effective cure, but it shouldn't even be mentioned when talking about preventative measures.

I might want to clarify the format your hard drive or clean install comment a bit I think you get the wrong idea.


It's not like I get viruses and need to re install my OS. That does not happen. Rather I choose to perodically install my OS becuase it keeps my system running fast and fresh- and running optimally. This includes more along the lines of "gunk" and registry crap - and not along the lines of a serious virus. It was a comment aimed more at the side of the spam protectors and PC cleaner programs out there that clean cookies and trackers, and various acquired crap you get on your PC from web surfing. I don't consider that viruses, but I put it all in the same category since it's also undesirable and hurts system performance.


For the average person, a year's worth of typical PC use with the average PC intelligence of the population would result in a gummed up crappy running system that's slower and more annoying than it was when machine was brand new. My opinion is your OS should be cleansed at least once a year. For me I do it at least that, and every new install I do if it has been some time I noticed and appreciate how good it works. This is me, coming from an area of some degree of intelligence about all this and PC's in general- and considering that fact that I am probably more careful than your average person too- I can't imagine how bad this is for ordinary folks.


I maintain our offices PC's, and also my parents. My parents are in their 60's and always have an incredible amount of crap (and viruses) compared to me- even though I use my PC way more and do way more advanced things than them. It's amazing to me actually. It just blows my mind that after I tell my dad 50 times not to click a link in an email in his AOL email his brain just turns off and he does it. I have his laptop restore and install on a USB stick labeled. I just stick it in and rewrite the entire drive a few times a year as required. All I do is copy his "my docs" and "my pics" and "desktop" user folders to an external first then scan them before I put anything back on. I'd say clean installing his PC takes me 20 minutes, including re-loading his pics, and docs and programs.


If you have any intelligence about PC at all the effort is well worth it. The reward for a clean running system is there, and even if it takes someone an hour it is certainly an hour well spent once a year. Otherwise idiots end up buying new machines every year or so. I know folks that do this. They buy a new laptop every year or two because that is the only solution they know. A PC is like a car- you need to maintain it if you want it to last and run optimally for a long time.

 

[Mfusick]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Osirus23  /t/1522507/what-antivirus-software-do-you-guys-use/0_100#post_24481619


That's a complete myth.

I agree. Torrents have almost nothing to do with viruses. If you get viruses from torrents you really have no clue about PC or what you are doing. Torrents are safer than websites and email in most cases.

 

[ElJimador]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Osirus23  /t/1522507/what-antivirus-software-do-you-guys-use#post_24481619


That's a complete myth.

Care to expand on that? Not arguing with you here, just trying to learn something.

 

[Mfusick]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ajhieb  /t/1522507/what-antivirus-software-do-you-guys-use/0_100#post_24481570


You might want to look up the definition of "never"

I was 15. I am 36 now. That's basically "never" to me

If I got a virus on Windows 95 over a phone line I am not counting that