The last Microsoft update slowed down my dialer.

[Senior citizen]

Something had really slowed down my dial-up dialer and I didn't know what, so I ran ad-aware and that didn't help. Then I restored my computer to an earlier date, which fixed the problem. Then Microsoft wanted me to re-download their last patch, and I refused it, since I think that's what the problem was.

Most of my spam is automatically deleted and I never see it. I never open email if I don't know who it is from--if I know who it is from but was not expecting it, or if it looks strange in any way, I can always check with the sender before opening it. I never open overly friendly email, as I assume it is spam. I have Symantec and ad-aware.

I'm sure the lastest Microsoft patch must have a purpose, but I'm also sure that purpose wasn't to slow down my dialer so that it takes me so long to dial in to the server, or disconnect, that it isn't worth the wait. Sitting there waiting for it to disconnect one evening, I got the feeling that it was downloading everything on my computer before it disconnected. Paranoia, yes, but even that probably wouldn't take that long, so what could it be?

So I no longer have a patch for a problem I didn't have, and that solves the problem caused by the patch.

[Berserker]

1. Some other things you can do

to speed up your computer is to empty your Cache and cookies on a regular basis. Also Norton is well known as a resource hog and slows down your computer. I see you have Ad-Aware but you should also have Spybot and run both. One will pick up things the other don't. Another thing you can do is turn off your Norton Anti-Virus and go and get a free virus check on-line. Again Norton is known to miss things. If you want more info click at the bottom of my post.

[Senior citizen]

2. Thanks, Berserker.

I'm accustomed to Norton, so although it might slow down my computer, it always has and I don't notice it. I do empty my cache and cookies regularly. As a dial-up user, I'm not expecting great speed, and I'll read or get a cup of tea while things download. But since I have to use the dialer to get online, and disconnect before shutting down the computer, it was annoying to have to wait for five minutes every time. I put up with it for a few days and then did the restore. I'll definitely take your advice, though, and I thank you.

[Berserker]

3. Some Good Dial Up Info Here

http://www.afo.net/help/general.htm
You may find this interesting:

NORTON ANTI-VIRUS
* Norton anti-virus has been around for a while and is fairly reliable. However, this program has caused our customers much grief in the past because it likes to take over dialup and email settings whenever it wants to do its updates. Therefore, we do not recommend it.