Avast! Antivirus U3 Edition vs McAfee VirusScan USB

Previously, I got a SanDisk micro cruzer 512MB with Avast! Antivirus U3 Edition. Yesterday, I bought a SanDisk micro cruzer 2GB with McAfee VirusScan USB.

Since these are the only two companies offering antivirus software for U3, it is a good opportunity for me to do a comparison.
Both come with 1 month trial license and offer real-time protection for U3 devices only and not the host computer where they are connected. So, you still need to install antivirus software for real-time protection of the host computer.
Avast allows you to scan U3 device, host computer or a folder on-demand whereas McAfee has the option to scan U3 device only and can detect antivirus software on the host computer. But when you insert the U3 device, both can scan active processes running on the host computer. Avast shows an icon running on the system tray whereas McAfee does not. You need to register with McAfee before the license can be activated. On the other hand, there is no registration requirement for Avast. Overall, Avast is recommended.

Interface Speed

Interface	Speed (Mbps)
PATA 133	133
1394 (Firewire)	400
USB 1.1	12
USB 2.0	480
SATA 1.5Gbps	1500
SATA 3.0Gbps (SATA2)	3000
eSATA	3000

PC Answers Christmas 2008

Features

1. Switch on to Web TV
2. 101 Essential Shortcuts
3. Speed Up Vista Searches
   

Ashampoo Burning Studio 2008 Error

I tested Ashampoo Burning Studio 2008 from the CD of Personal Computer World December 2007. It burned a data CD successfully. But, when I tried to add more files to the same data CD with more than enough free space as shown, it failed with an error. On the other hand, Nero Express 7 works fine on the same DVD writer and laptop running Windows XP SP2.

APC December 2007

Features

1. Affordable Notebooks
2. Monster CPU Battle

Cover DVD (Free Full Version)

1. 1-abc.net Settings Organizer 2.00
2. CyberLink Power2Go 4
   

AVS DVD Player 2.4

Since I couldn't install Nero Showtime, I went online and searched for other DVD players. Found AVS DVD Player which is free and have no problem installing it on Windows Vista. It works great and even has the option to customise the aspect ratio. Most DVD players will show black bars at the top and bottom of the screen when viewing full screen due to the wrong aspect ratio. My LCD screen resolution is 1440 x 900 so I can customise it to 16:10 to maximise the whole screen.

Disappearing Nero Showtime Option During Setup

I tried to install Nero Express 7 and Nero Showtime 3 from the Nero 7 Essentials 7.9.6.4 CD of my new optical drive but during setup there is no option to select Nero Showtime in custom setup as shown. But, the same CD can be used to install Nero Showtime in the retail shop. This really baffles me as my computer has Intel Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz processor wth 1GB RAM and 20GB free disk space. The requirement to install Nero Express Essentials is only Intel Pentium III 1 GHz processor with minimum 256MB RAM and 1GB free disk space.

PC Plus December 2007

Feature

• Technology's new frontiers
  

Nero SecurDisc

I bought a LG 20x internal super multi DVD rewriter (Model GH20NS10). This optical drive is special because it comes with SecurDisc technology. With SecurDisc, you can

• protect your confidential data with password protection on all media & file format
  
• ensure data integrity with checksum verification on all media & file format
  
• Increase data reliability with redundantly stored data all media & file format
• Verify the origin of data with digital signature verification all media & file format
• Limit the ability to view copied PDFs with copy protection on DVD+/-R(W), DVD+/-R DL, DVD-RAM
  

To run SecurDisc, you need LG optical writer and Nero software. Once the media is created by SecurDisc, you can access it on any optical drive with Nero InCD Reader 5. SecurDisc Viewer is used to view copy protected PDF.

I read in the Straits Times today that a massive security blunder in Britain has left almost half the country's population at risk of identity theft and bank fraud. The risk arose after two computer disks containing the names, addresses, dates of birth, national insurance numbers and, in some cases, banking details for 25 million adults and children went missing in post. If Britain's tax and customs service has enforced similar technology, the security risk will be mitigated.

R-Driver III USB 2.0 to SATA IDE Cable

I find this cable very useful to transfer data from one computer to another, backup data to CD/DVD or install operating system or software if your computer does not have any optical drive. It comes complete with power adaptor, SATA data/power cable and can be used as follows:

1. Connect laptop 2.5" harddisk (IDE/SATA) to any computer via USB without power adaptor
   
2. Connect desktop harddisk (IDE/SATA) to any computer via USB with power adaptor
3. Connect CD-ROM/CD-RW/DVD-ROM/DVD-RW (IDE/SATA) to any computer with power adaptor

This is more cost effective than buying USB casings to house the external devices. But, if you require an external harddisk permanently for storage, it is better to house it in a USB case to minimise dust or damage.

Ashampoo WinOptimizer 2008

I installed this software from the CD of Personal Computer World December 2007. This is a magazine edition and you can upgrade to WinOptimizer 4. It has 4 main tools.
The Cleaning Tools consist of Drive Cleaner, Registry Cleaner and Internet Cleaner. Internet Cleaner will clean browser cache, cookies and history for Internet Explorer, Firefox and Opera.
The Tuning Tools consist of StartUp Tuner, Internet Tuner, IP Spam Blocker and Windows Standard Tools.
The File Tools consist of DiskSpace Explorer, File Wiper, File Splitter & Joiner and File Encrypter & Decrypter.
The Tweaking Tools consist of Defrag 2, System-Information and System-Benchmark. You can find your Windows product key using System-Information. System-Benchmark will measure and compare system performance. Unfortunately, you cannot create schedule to run any of the tools.

PC Advisor December 2007

Features

1. Laptops, Broadband & Software for Free!
2. Supercharge Your System

Cover CD (Free Full Version)

1. Mindjet MindManager 6.0 Basic
2. Paragon Disk Wiper 8.5 Personal Edition
   

Computer Shopper December 2007

Features

1. Internet Video
2. Complete Guide To Second Life
3. Create Your Own Recording Studio

Cover DVD (Free Full Version)

1. Ashampoo Winoptimizer 2008
2. Paragon Partition Manager 8.5
3. Stuffit Standard 9.5
   

Iolo AntiVirus Problem

After installing iolo AntiVirus 1.1.10 on my Windows XP notebook and updating to latest version 1.1.15, I encountered the error as shown each time my notebook boots up. But, it still run when I click on iolo AntiVirus to start manually and the icon on the system tray indicates real-time protection is enabled.

However, when I want to shutdown my notebook, it will not do so until I shutdown iolo AntiVirus manually.

PC Pro December 2007

Features

1. XP vs Vista
2. Road to war 2.0
3. Expert guide to Windows Home Server

Cover DVD (Free Full Version)

1. Encyclopædia Britannica 2007

Australian PC World December 2007

Features

1. Speed up Vista & XP
2. Green Christmas Gift Guide

Cover DVD (Free Full Version)

1. Cyberlink PowerDirector 5VE
   

Australian PC Authority December 2007

Features

1. 10th Anniversary Special
2. Next Gen Wi-Fi

Cover DVD (Free Full Version)

1. PC Tools Antivirus
   
2. Paragon Partition Manager 8.5 Personal
3. Cyberlink PowerDirector 5 VE

Australian PC Authority October 2007

Feature

1. The Essential Guide to Digital Photography
   

Iolo AntiVirus

I installed this software from the CD of Personal Computer World December 2007. If you register online, you can get a 1 year license otherwise you can evaluate it for 30 days.

It offers on access (real-time protection), on demand as well as e-mail protection. You can specify proxy and mapped ports for POP3 & SMTP. E-mail clients include Eudora, Outlook, Netscape, Poco, The Bat, Thunderbird etc.

You can enable automatic update but update for new version requires user interaction. There is no option to scan a file or folder in Windows Explorer but you can do so within its own user interface.

Australian PC User December 2007

Features

1. Portable entertainment superguide
2. How to tweak the registry
3. Your guide to the BIOS

Cover DVD (Free Full Version)

1. Reallusion iClone 2.1 SE
2. Ashampoo Burning Studio 2008
3. Xequte Amaze 4.04
   

PC Answers December 2007

Features

1. Get a better network today!
2. 2007 Awards
   
   

Webroot Desktop Firewall Version 5.5

Pro

1. Supports Windows Vista

Con

1. Fails LeakTest
   

Symbian S60 vs Windows Mobile 6

I tested Nokia E65 running Symbian OS S60 3rd edition and HP iPAQ 512 running Windows Mobile 6 Standard. The selling point is that both support VoIP but Nokia E65 is clearly the winner after many months of usage.

Smartphone	Nokia E65	HP iPAQ 512
VoIP (pfingoTALK)	Excellent	Works intermittently
E-mail Retrieval Interval (POP3) - works like pushmail	Min every 30 mins	Min every 5 mins
Default Browser	S60 - supports Javascript & look similar to desktop browser. No flash & JRE support.	Pocket IE - supports Javascript but look different from desktop browser. No flash & JRE support.
Battery Life	2 days	1 day
WiFi	Supports WPA2 with static or dynamic IP address. Can auto reconnect after out of range.	Supports WPA2 with dynamic IP address. Cannot auto reconnect after out of range.
Phone Contacts	Need to copy from SIM to phone	Works directly from SIM. No need to backup when switching phone.
Camera	2.0MP	1.3MP
Incoming SMS	Cannot be saved in SIM	Can be saved in SIM
Multitasking	Excellent	Poor. Need to terminate program resident in memory manually even after quiting program.
Currency Convertor	Built-in	No
eWallet Support	No	Yes

BinarySense HDDlife

I install HDDlife for notebook 2.9.110 in Windows Vista from the cover DVD of APC Magazine November 2007. After reboot, it shows it is blocked by Vista.

I have to run it manually. It indicates the current temperature of the harddisk as well as health and performance status. In addition, it shows how long the harddisk is used as work time. The enable noise/performance level and power saving features are not working in Vista. Testing the latest trial version 3.0.146 available online confirms that the problems with Vista are fixed if you don't mind to pay for upgrade.

Another alternative for Vista is the freeware gadget for Vista sidebar. But, it indicates only the temperature of the harddisk as well as read & write status. This runs without any user intervention upon startup.

Computer Shopper November 2007

Features

1. Who Do You Think You Are?
2. Taking The Lead
3. High And Mighty

Cover DVD (Free Full Version)

1. FloorPlan 3D Design Suite 9
2. Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition
3. WebSite X5 Smart Edition
4. Carrara 5 Standard

Personal Computer World Christmas 2007

Features

1. Troubleshooting Vista
2. Sat nav secrets

Cover CD (Free Paid Version)

1. Paragon Total Defrag 2008 SE
   
2. Ashampoo Office 2006
3. McAfee Antispyware 2006
4. McAfee Spamkiller 2006
   

Australian PC World November 2007

Features

1. Widescreen LCD Monitors
2. 11 Great DIY PC Projects

Cover DVD (Free Paid Version)

1. East-Tec Eraser Lite 8.5.1.102
   

PC Plus November 2007

Features

1. Radical Hardware Upgrades

Cover DVD (Free Full Version)

1. BitDefender 9
2. Toon Boom Studio Express 3
   

PC Pro November 2007

Features

1. The science of UI design
2. Can you survive on online apps?
3. The web's best 50 free downloads

Cover DVD (Free Full Version)

1. Incomedia WebSite X5 Smart Edition
2. Serif DrawPlus 6
   

What's the fuss about HDTV in Singapore?

Service Provider	MediaCorp	SingTel	StarHub
Platform	Over The Air (OTA)	IPTV (Internet Protocol TV)	Cable
Subscription Required	No	-Mio TV -Broadband -Telephone line	-Basic Tier -HD Plus group
Receiver Required	HD DVB-T MPEG4.H264 AVC set-top box for TV - Draco 3900 -SnaZio SZ1323 DVB-T MPEG4.H264 Thumbdrive for computer -Pinnacle PCTV Dual DVB-T Diversity Stick 2000E -Hauppage WinTV-HVR-900-MCE	Mio TV set-top box (free with service)	HD set-top box
Other Hardware Required	-TV antenna to pick up HDTV signals OTA -HD-Ready TV	-ADSL2+ modem -Telephone line -HD-ready TV	-Cable point -HD-ready TV

Disappearing System Tray Icon for Avira Premium Security Suite

The saga continues as reported on October 29, 2007 but I found a workaround as follows:

1. In Windows XP, go to Windows Task Manager by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del
2. Under Processes, look for avgnt.exe and click End Process
3. Close Windows Task Manager
4. Go to C:\Program Files\Avira Premium Security Suite and double click on avgnt.exe

Vista Windows Security Center Reports No Firewall/Malware Protection

If you have antivirus/firewall/antispyware software installed in Windows Vista and previously Windows Security Center detected it correctly and now it doesn't, then do the following :

1. Click Start and type cmd in Start Search
2. Press Ctrl-Shift-Enter
3. Click Continue when prompted by User Account Control
4. cd wbem
5. net stop winmgmt /y
6. ren repository repold
7. net start winmgmt
8. exit
9. Restart computer