topic Re: Virus software problem in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

Virus software problem

Nige62 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:07:04 GMT

Removed Mcafee as it has packed up working properly. It could no longer connect to the Mcafee server for some reason. Also the removal tool cant be used for the same reason. Have now discovered that this problem also exists if with AVG, avast and avira, none of them can connect to server. Does any body have any idea what could be causing this? Windows 8.1 operating system if any help.

Thanks Nigel

Re: Virus software problem

jab1 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:11:12 GMT

@Nige62 That sounds strange -especially as, as I understand it, the removal tool should not have to connect to the server to work. What AV are you currently using?

Re: Virus software problem

Nige62 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:23:16 GMT

None at the moment.

Re: Virus software problem

jab1 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:27:33 GMT

So, you are relying on the inbuilt Microsoft AV - that should be sufficient for a home-user. Are the other programs you mention still showing as installed?

Re: Virus software problem

Nige62 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:32:50 GMT

No I have removed them. No point leaving them if not working properly I thought. I tried them separately, removing one before trying another.

Re: Virus software problem

jab1 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:34:54 GMT

But you said above the removal tool can't work - 'as it can't contact the server'?

Re: Virus software problem

Nige62 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:38:26 GMT

Removed using windows uninstall. Tried to use removal tool for Mcafee as there were still files left after the initial uninstall.

Re: Virus software problem

jab1 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:42:52 GMT

OK. It is many years since I tried to remove AV programs on Windows, so can't make any further suggestions. You really need to remove any remnants, but I am not able to offer any further suggestions, sorry.

@MisterW ?

Re: Virus software problem

Nige62 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:46:18 GMT

No problem, thanks for your help.

Re: Virus software problem

MisterW — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:49:10 GMT

OK. It is many years since I tried to remove AV programs on Windows

Likewise! and Windows 8.1

Re: Virus software problem

jab1 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:53:09 GMT

I see what you mean there, @MisterW 😉 Just thought I'd ask, though.

Re: Virus software problem

shutter — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 21:35:09 GMT

@Nige62 A couple of good tools in the box...

1. CCleaner... it has a uninstall window similar to WIndows If you download it, you may get nagged to purchase it...but it reverts to the FREE version after 30 days anyway... so ignore it https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner-free

2. it has a Reg Cleaner which is quite fast and quick

Another, much quicker reg cleaner is Wise Registr

Should clear out any left over scraps from previous installs/uninstalls

Re: Virus software problem

DS — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 23:22:14 GMT

@Nige62 wrote: snipped

Removed Mcafee as it has packed up working properly. It could no longer connect to the Mcafee server for some reason.

......

Does any body have any idea what could be causing this? Windows 8.1 operating system if any help.

Thanks Nigel

System Requirements | McAfee in the list Windows 8.1 is mentioned when fully updated.

However I'm fairly sure that Windows 8.1 is no longer supported anymore by MS and therefore it's not being updated anymore, thus McAfee is not going to work correctly.

Maybe the other AV offerings are doing the same - IDK

Re: Virus software problem

shutter — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 08:21:56 GMT

copy and correction of earlier post.. (dunno what happened to it ! )

@Nige62 A couple of good tools in the box...

it has a Reg Cleaner which is quite fast and quick

2. Another, much quicker reg cleaner is Wise Registry Cleaner

https://www.wisecleaner.com/wise-registry-cleaner.html

Should clear out any left over scraps from previous installs/uninstalls