Do I need Microsoft Anti-Spyware?

Got a mesage saying my Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta expired today. Do I need it? It came with XP Pro SP2. Thanks.
Heck. I thought my signature would be here. I'm using Ad-Aware, SpywareBlaster, Avast free, Zone Alarm free.

 

Need? no... but it's mostly up to you if you really want it.

 

Thanks, Kodo. I guess I'll just see what happens. When I had Win 98 without MS anti-spyware, I got along just fine.

 

You could always just use it for extra protection if you want.

controlmind

 

Hows come it came with your SP2?!?! Are you using some..you know *cough cough* version??http://forums.majorgeeks.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif Seems a little iffy to me...i mean...its still in beta...http://forums.majorgeeks.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

 

I also see that you only have 128mb ram. Since you have windows xp you should have aleast 512mb ram or more if you want.

controlmind

 

Since when? I've used & seen plenty of machines with XP Home/Pro that had 256 or even 128 mb; they have no problems. The minimum Microsoft recommends is, believe it or not, 64mb..althought they say it will lag.

 

This forum is terrific. I always learn something reading it. And even tho I'm listed as as cpl, I really don't know a lot about computers.
I got my computer, a Compaq of some vintage, from a son whose company upgraded and sold off the leftovers. I don't even know how I got the Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta. I somehow thought it was SP2 that had it. I just know I didn't have it with Win98 and then I did have it with XP Pro.
I've wondered for some time if I needed more memory. I believe my model will accept up to 512. (Is it the operating system or the computer that puts the limit on the amount of memory you can have?). My computer is quite slow as it switches from one program or web site to another, and I don't do games except for little things such as solitaire and free cell.
I appreciate the discussion my post generated. Thanks.

 

The computer (or even more specifically, the motherboard) limits your memory. With ram/memory you can use the saying the more the merrier although there are cases when this isn't the case. But as controlmind said 512mb of memory would see you with an improvement and I'd certainly recommend it.

No, but with more applications being released by the day, it is advised to have this amount of memory installed, these specs are only there for guidelines.

 

As for MicrosoftAntispyware, I've had it for about 3 months now; just automatically re-updated it. So far it says it has found nothing/zilch since it was installed [does a scan every day] but I still intend to keep it as long as it remains free. Why not????
M$ say XP needs 64mb minimum but that's just about enough for it to run, if you want anything else to run reasonably well you need more.[as stated already]

 

Check Crucial.com for memory upgrades that would be compatible with your computer.

 

Well, I'm in a little bit of a fix here. I can't find my Compaq model info anywhere. Everest says the motherboard's name is Compaq Deskpro, but doesn't show a model. Crucial says it can't find the type of memory I need--I suppose because all I can provide is what Everest says is the motherboard's name. When I told Crucial the name of my motherboard, it showed a panel of info on the left of the screen saying, in part, that I have two memory slots with a max of 512. It said Slot 1 has 128 MB "non-parity SDRAM PC 133." I downloaded a program some time ago called Belarc Advisor and it says my computer has three memory slots with a max of 512 MB. I guess I can find out by looking inside--even though that scares me to death!

 

Ity says: Intel Solano i815E

 

Ah, that's the rub! The best I can do is that it apparently is Deskpro EN or possibly Deskpro ENL. Any help?

 

Please follow the directions in this POST. Once you have posted the report, as an attachment, myself or any one of the other members can assist you better.

 

I've never tried to send an attachment with a post until today. I followed the instructions in the Manage Attachments section. I think the attachment of the Report is in the Forum somewhere, but darned if I can find it. Can you? Thanks for your patience.

 

Did it work? (Edit:I'll be darned there it is.)

 

Is it a Desktop, Minitower, Slim Desktop, or Small Form factor.

Compaq Deskpower EN (MODEL) Pentium III 733Mhz. You should have 3 memory banks for a total capacity of 768Mb. This Memory Stick will ost likely work.

 

We have old Deskpro PCs at work here. Look on the top of the PC case. There should be a sticker that says something like "DPENS-C400/6.4/W5". In this case, the model is DeskPRO EN Small Form Factor, the CPU is a Celeron 400, the HDD is 6.4 GB, and it shipped with Windows 5 (Windows 2000). You also might be able to get a precise model name by entering the BIOS and looking at the System Information. Try searching hp.com against the BIOS version (usually something like 686Y2, 782B2, or similar).

HP doesn't make it easy, and Compaq's model names are really ambiguous.

 

I am going with Slim Form Factor. Max memory would be 512Mb.

 

That's good enough for me. Thanks again.