Vista - a NEWBIE NEEDS HELP with software? PROBLEM...

Hello there everyone, I am a newbie on this site and the first time I tried to surf on this site, I really find it educational and very helpful. Actually, i do have a problem right now with my laptop. Actually, when the laptop was bought, it already came with an antivirus software but I think it's only on a trial day period, so, when my cousin borrowed the computer and then returned it, I was just so sad that my antivirus is not there anymore, my cousin said that since the antivirus is not working anymore, he deleted it on the program files, because of that, i tried installing the same brand of antivirus software but then it seems that it doesnt work anymore, whenever i try running the cd set-up, it opens but the window is empty please do help me for that.
Another thing is that when I tried playing music, i found out that my Windows Media Player is not starting also, whenever I click on the icon, nothing really happens. Aside from that, my windows side bar items are not showing properly also and it seems that the computer slowed down I am really hoping that you could advise me guys on these, I will appreciate it a lot..I really hope there are still solutions on these.. Thanks a lot in advance..God Bless everyone

Hi Kasheica,

It is essential to have a good antivirus program. The problems you are having may be because someone messed up some of the settings, or it may be you have an infection.

Click on the link below and download the free home version.

www.avast.com

The downloaded file is called setupeng.exe,. Right click this and click run as administrator.

It will install and ask you to restart your computer - do so.

On the bottom left of your screen will be 2 blue balls - right click the one with an A .

On the menu that pops up, select Updating and click iAVS Update .
Click Allow when the uac window pops up.

When it has updated, right click the A again - select start Avast! antivirus. Click Allow at the window that pops up.

Tick the box that says Local disks , and the box that says Test archives. Left click the slider under the word Quick and drag it across to under the word Thorough.

Click Start Scan at the bottom.

If at any time a window pops up asking you for your product key , just click continue. You can go back to the website later and register - they will email you a free key to insert.

Hope this helps

SIW2

If your previous antivirus program was a trial, you would have to pay for it soon to continue using it.

Most people I know prefer to use one of the free antivirus programs (such as Avira Antivir or Avast) instead of the big AV suites you have to pay for.

Even if I could get a free license for Norton AV, I wouldn't use it. I prefer to run the free Avira anyway. Norton's program slows down the computer too much and it isn't even so good at catching viruses as the free Avira program, according to the sites which do independent tests and comparisons.

So it isn't a bad thing that your cousin removed the trial antivirus program. You can get a better program for free instead.