XP Virus Protection software

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My primary desktop computer is Windows 7 SP1, and I have a Windows 10 laptop. However, I still run a Windows XP computer so I can use an old DOS financial program. I tried running in on the Windows 7 in emulation mode, but I didn’t like it. I know that some people use DOSBox, but it seem like it is not that reliable either.

The XP is connected to my network, which is connected to the internet. I use Avast Antivirus on my XP, and best I can tell, it still gets updated occasionally for virus protection. But it seems to overwhelm my XP. When I boot the XP, AvastUI.exe, (and sometimes also avBugReport.exe) takes 100% of my CPU. After 30 minutes or so, I have to do a hard close of the XP (by holding down the power button). After a couple of restarts, the XP will usually boot successfully.

I have tried to force close Avast via Windows Task Manager, but I get a message saying ‘Unable to Terminate Process. Access is denied’.

I did an internet search a month or so ago, and found an article dated mid 2021, which was a comparison of XP antivirus programs. But when I went to the websites of some of the top rated programs, one was last updated in 2014, and two of the others websites no longer functioned. So clearly this was an old article, which someone just put a new date on.

Does anyone have any suggestions of XP antivirus programs that are still available, updated periodically, and will not have the functional problems of Avast? I know that I can remove the XP from my network and then delete Avast, but there are times that I need to transfer information to my other computers, and the files won’t fit on a 1.44 Meg floppy.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Harry

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We have AVG Internet Security running AOK on an older PC still running Windows XP 32-bit.

The only major change we made to the default settings was to DISABLE their Enhanced Firewall.

https://www.avg.com/en-us/internet-security#pc

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SuoremeLaW:

Interesting. I did an internet search and found a PC Mag Review from 3/30/2021 that said Avast had bought AVG, and the two products were essentially the same now. I have no idea if my Avast has a Enhanced Firewall. I will check and see.

 

Harry

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I use eScan Internet Security on my main Vista machine. The UI has an XP flavor to it. Their system requirements on the linked page say that it runs on Windows versions all the way back to Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack 4 (!!).

Panda Dome also works on earlier versions of Windows all the way to XP SP3. I have the free version on a secondary Vista system, and the paid version on my Vista laptop. No complaints here.

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

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Cybertooth:

Panda Dome no longer has a free version, but they do have a trial version.

Both of your recommendations talk about protecting a network. My Windows 7 desktop (on my network) uses Microsoft Security Essentials, and my Windows 10 laptop (also on the network) uses Windows Security. Will there be any conflict if I add Panda Dome or eScan Internet Security?

 

Harry

 

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I see where the confusion lay. Panda does offer Panda Free Antivirus, but it turns out that this version doesn’t carry the “Dome” label.

Regarding your question about protecting the network, from reading the linked page I gather that this protection has to do with WiFi. If you scroll down the page, you’ll see in the version comparison chart a line that reads, “Protect your WiFi network from hackers and prying neighbours.”

For eScan Internet Security, their User Guide says that you can set the program to scan “network drives including mapped folders and drives that are connected to the computer.” (This would be in addition to the drives that are installed on the PC.)

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

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SupremeLaw & Cybertooth:

For now I disconnected my XP from my network, booted the XP in Safe Mode, and removed AVG Internet Security. It now boots up almost instantly!

Cybertooth:

Do eScan Internet Security and/or Panda Dome still get updated for new viruses, etc?

Harry

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Harry–yes, they both do still get updated definitions, on at least a daily basis.

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

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It would be a good idea to also run the AVG Removal Tool. Download it from their website.
AVG leaves behind all sorts of stuff with the standard uninstall. You don’t know it’s there till it causes a problem.

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PK Cano:

I tried to run the removal tool you suggested on my XP, which is: Windows XP Professional, Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_qfe.130704-0421: Service Pack 3).

I got an error message saying: ‘E:\avgclear.exe is not a valid Win32 application.’

Harry

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hmw3 wrote:

… Does anyone have any suggestions of XP antivirus programs that are still available, updated periodically, and will not have the functional problems of Avast?…

hmw3 wrote:

…For now I disconnected my XP from my network, booted the XP in Safe Mode, and removed AVG Internet Security. It now boots up almost instantly!

Hi hmw3:

Are you looking for a free or paid version of antivirus for your Win XP computer, and do you want a product that includes a firewall? Could you clarify if you are  currently using a paid version of Avast Internet Security or AVG Internet Security, and were you using the v18.8 release mentioned in the July 2018 Avast announcement End of Support for Windows XP/Vista?

Avast acquired AVG in 2017, and according to the Safety Detectives article Avast vs. AVG — Which Is Right For You in 2023? there is now little difference between the two products (i.e., they have the same anti-malware engine and features) except for the user interface. Note that NortonLifeLock purchased Avast / AVG in 2021 and has acquired several other antivirus makers like Avira and BullGuard in recent years, although these companies essentially still operate as separate entities. See the Oct 2022 MakeUseOf article How Norton’s Acquisitions Changed the Antivirus Industry for more information.

WinClient5270 recently updated their original post in Last Versions of Software for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 in the MSFN forum that has a section on antivirus software, and most of the those antivirus programs are also compatible with Win XP SP3. I used the paid version of the Norton Security v22.15.5.40 antivirus / firewall suite on my Vista SP2 computer (see the 24-Sep-2020 release notes <here>) until I purchased a Win 10 laptop in 2019, and I know of several Win XP and Vista users who still use this product and get regular virus definition updates. If you’re interested I can provide more information about my experience with this NortonLifeLock product.

All the antivirus programs listed in WinClient5270’s post assume that your CPU supports the SSE2 instruction set (e.g., Intel Pentium 4 and higher).  Post back if you aren’t sure if your CPU supports SSE2.

hmw3 wrote:

…My Windows 7 desktop (on my network) uses Microsoft Security Essentials, and my Windows 10 laptop (also on the network) uses Windows Security. Will there be any conflict if I add Panda Dome or eScan Internet Security?

Are you looking for a third-party antivirus that you are only going to use on your Win XP machine, or do you plan on purchasing an antivirus product that you can use on your Win 7 SP1 and/or Win 10 computers as well? According to the Microsoft support article What is Microsoft Security Essentials? Microsoft is ending virus definition updates for Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) some time in 2023, although I’m not sure of the exact end date, so you’ll to have to find a replacement for MSE as well if you plan to continue using this Win 7 computer. Also note that if you add a third-party security program like Panda Dome on your Win 10 machine that it will automatically disable your Microsoft Defender antivirus (previously known as Windows Defender), and if your new security product includes a firewall your Windows Firewall will be disabled as well.
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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.2604 * Firefox v110.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2301.6-1.1.200000.2 * Malwarebytes Premium v 4.5.24.248-1.0.1944 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7279

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Cybertooth

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Imacri:

So many questions, for which I have only a few answers.

First, I am running Windows XP Professional, Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_qfe.130704-0421: Service Pack 3)

The program said it was Avast Antivirus. Either I was running the free version, or I paid a purchase price without any ongoing payments, because I certainly have not made any payments for years, if any.

I don’t care if what I procure is free or I have to pay for it. If I pay, I would prefer a onetime fee, rather than an ongoing monthly fee.

I’m not sure if my CPU supports SSE2 or not. I found a program on the internet that will let me answer that question, but either I have to hook my XP back onto the internet to get it, or I have to download it onto my Windows 7 machine, put it on a CD, and then run the CD in my XP3 to transfer it to my XP3 computer. I’ll do it if the answer is vital to what you suggest.

I ONLY want the antivirus to work on my XP3. I have Microsoft Security Essentials on my Windows 7 and Windows Defender on my Windows 10 computers. (Incidentally, they are named Windows Defender as opposed to Microsoft Defender on both my Windows 10 computers)

Harry

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hmw3 wrote:

… The program said it was Avast Antivirus. Either I was running the free version, or I paid a purchase price without any ongoing payments, because I certainly have not made any payments for years, if any ….

Hi hmw3:

Most Vista SP2 users I know who are using a free antivirus program are still using Avast Free Antivirus v18.8 (you can find the full offline installer in the July 2018 Avast announcement End of Support for Windows XP/Vista that I mentioned in post # 2543386) and I haven’t heard of any recent problems with this antivirus on Win XP SP3 or Vista SP2, but I’ll look around in some other forums and will post back if I can find anything.

If you were using Avast Free Antivirus then I don’t think you would have the Enhanced Firewall feature that SupremeLaw mentioned in post # 2542969 – I believe you would need a paid product like Avast / AVG Internet Security to get that bundled firewall. There is an avastclear.exe removal tool <here> for Avast products but I have no idea if it would work for an old, unsupported versions of 32-bit Avast Free Antivirus like v18.8.

hmw3 wrote:

… I’m not sure if my CPU supports SSE2 or not …

There are free portable utilities like Piriform’s Speccy Portable (spsetup132.zip) and CPUID’s CPU-Z Portable (currently cpu-z_2.05-en.zip) that are still compatible with Win XP and will show you if your CPU supports SSE2 – see the attached images from my Vista SP2 computer. If you don’t have a working antivirus at the moment the safest way to use one of these portable utilities would be to use your Win 10 machine to download the .zip file onto a removable UBS thumb drive and unzip them, and then plug the USB thumb drive into your Win XP SP3 computer and double-click the appropriate 32-bit or 64-bit.exe executable to run the utility (i.e., there is no need to actually install these portable apps on your computer), but I suspect from some of your comments that your Win XP computer does not have a USB port. If not, is there some other safe way you can transfer the .zip file(s) to your Win XP machine and unzip it there? The .exe executables of portable apps can be run from any location on your hard drive, including your My Documents folder.

I only asked about SSE2 because I know that the Norton Security v22.15.5 antivirus / firewall and Malwarebytes Premium v3.5.1 anti-malware software that I used on my Vista SP2 machine (which are both legacy versions optimized for Win XP and Vista) both require a CPU that supports SSE2, as do many of the Win XP/Vista-compatible antivirus programs listed in WinClient5270 recently updated post Last Versions of Software for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 in the MSFN forum. If you’re going to purchase an annual subscription for a paid antivirus I’d suggest you check if your CPU supports SSE2 first or you might end up having to ask for a refund.

Again, if you’re interested in looking into Norton Security I can post further feedback for you, but some of the other suggestions in this thread like Panda Dome, etc. would be good choices as well.  It just depends if extra features like a bundled firewall are important to you, and how much you are willing to pay for those features.
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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.2604 * Firefox v110.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2301.6-1.1.200000.2 * Malwarebytes Premium v 4.5.24.248-1.0.1944 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7279 *Speccy Portable v1.32.740 * CPU-Z Portable v2.05

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Imacri:

Thanks for all the details and the pictures.

You said: “If you don’t have a working antivirus at the moment the safest way to use one of these portable utilities would be to use your Win 10 machine to download the .zip file onto a removable UBS thumb drive and unzip them, and then plug the USB thumb drive into your Win XP SP3 computer and double-click the appropriate 32-bit or 64-bit.exe executable to run the utility (i.e., there is no need to actually install these portable apps on your computer), but I suspect from some of your comments that your Win XP computer does not have a USB port. If not, is there some other safe way you can transfer the .zip file(s) to your Win XP machine and unzip it there?”

No, there is no USB port on my XP. But I have a CD drive on the XP,. So I should be able to put the utilities you mentioned on a CD (I have lots of blanks) and transfer the programs to my XP from there. Since several of you have said that SSE2 is vital, that will be my next step.

I will try to run spsetup132.zip.  PCano suggested I run avgclear.exe to get rid of any trash left over after I removed , but I got an error message saying: ‘E:\avgclear.exe is not a valid Win32 application.’

And I have no idea why the folks you know can run Avast on their XP and not have issues. As noted in my original post, AvastUI.exe, (and sometimes also avBugReport.exe) took 100% of my CPU. After 30 minutes or so, I would have to do a force close on my XP, and reboot.

Harry

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hmw3 wrote:

… PCano suggested I run avgclear.exe to get rid of any trash left over after I removed , but I got an error message saying: ‘E:\avgclear.exe is not a valid Win32 application’ …

I assume that Avast and AVG antiviruses are installed in different locations in C:\Programs Files (e.g., C:\Programs Files\Avast\…) so I wouldn’t expect avgclear.exe to work for you. Did you try the avastclear.exe uninstall tool I suggested in post # 2543594 and follow the instructions at Uninstall Avast Antivirus using our Avast removal tool: Avast Clear (i.e., download the tool to your hard drive, right-click and choose “Run as Administrator“)? If you still get an error with the latest Avast removal tool then that might be because it isn’t compatible with your Win XP OS.  If you still get an error try the older removal tool at https://install.avcdn.net/iavs9x-xp/avastclear.exe recommended in the Jan 2019 thread avastclear.exe does not work on 32bit in the Avast forum.

hmw3 wrote:

… And I have no idea why the folks you know can run Avast on their XP and not have issues. As noted in my original post, AvastUI.exe, (and sometimes also avBugReport.exe) took 100% of my CPU. After 30 minutes or so, I would have to do a force close on my XP, and reboot.

Apologies in advance if some of this is off-topic.

The first thing I would suggest is that you run a second-opinion scan with Malwarebytes Free v3.5.1 (the legacy version for Win XP and Vista, available at https://downloads.malwarebytes.com/file/mb3_legacy) just in case your Avast antivirus missed a potential threat. If you aren’t familiar with this malware scanner see my Nov 2020 instructions in MarcoHaidar’s Startup Pop Up in the Microsoft Answers forum where I post as user GreatWhiteNorth.

If your Malwarebytes Threat Scan doesn’t detect any problems then it’s possible your Avast installation was damaged somehow, and if that’s what happened then a clean reinstall of your Avast Free Antivirus v18.8 might solve the problem. That means a complete wipe of your old installation with the avastclear.exe removal tool and then a re-boot and reinstall with a fresh copy of the full offline installer available in the July 2018 Avast announcement End of Support for Windows XP/Vista.
__________________

I’m also wondering what web browser you use on this Win XP SP3 machine? Even with a working antivirus on this machine it’s not safe to be connecting to the internet, and using an unsupported browser adds even more risk. I used Firefox ESR v52.9.0 on my Vista SP2 machine (the legacy extended support release for Win XP and Vista – see my installation instructions in internet explorer problem on windows vista pc in the Microsoft Answers forum) but this Firefox ESR browser hasn’t been updated since Jul 2018. Other users following this thread who are still using Win XP and/or Vista machines on a regular basis might be able to recommend a Chrome or Firefox fork (for example, MyPal 68 currently seems to be a popular choice for Win XP users <here> in the MSFN forum) that is a safer choice these days.

hmw3 wrote:

… I still run a Windows XP computer so I can use an old DOS financial program. I tried running in on the Windows 7 in emulation mode, but I didn’t like it…

Just an aside, but perhaps it’s  time to find new financial software that runs on your Win 10 machine and just retire your Win XP machine. I don’t know if your DOS financial program can export your data to a .QIF file or some other format that can be imported into other financial software, but I used Microsoft Money (now discontinued) on my Win XP and Vista SP2 machines and currently use the free “sunset” version of this software called Money Plus Sunset Deluxe that is available <here> on the Internet Archive / Wayback Machine on my Win 10 machine. This “sunset” version is intended for Win XP to Win 7 but runs well in Win 7 compatibility mode on my Win 10 machine and has every feature I need. I don’t want to take this thread too far off-topic so you might want to start a new thread and ask if anyone knows of other financial software that might suit your needs.
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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.2604 * Firefox v110.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2301.6-1.1.200000.2 * Malwarebytes Premium v 4.5.24.248-1.0.1944 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7279

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Sorry I have been away for a while. But I am trying to focus on getting my taxes done right now. I will get back to this anti-virus issue once those are done. I want to solve that anti-virus problem.

Imacri said:

“Just an aside, but perhaps it’s time to find new financial software that runs on your Win 10 machine and just retire your Win XP machine. I don’t know if your DOS financial program can export your data to a .QIF file or some other format that can be imported into other financial software”

MYM will export data as a .txf file, which most financial software will read. There is lots of financial software that will run on my Windows 7 and/or Windows 10 machines. It is not the software that is the issue. It is my ability/inability to learn the nuances of new financial software. Over the years I have compiled lots of typed notes regarding how to most effectively use MYM. I tried a couple of other programs, but never got comfortable with using them. Twenty years ago I probably could have handled it, but at 84 I can’t. So if I can get the XP to safely run for a few more years, that is all I need. Then my heirs can deal with the taxes.

Harry

 

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Cybertooth

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hmw3 wrote:

I have no idea why the folks you know can run Avast on their XP and not have issues. As noted in my original post, AvastUI.exe, (and sometimes also avBugReport.exe) took 100% of my CPU. After 30 minutes or so, I would have to do a force close on my XP, and reboot.

Hi hmw3:

Just some additional information for when your tax return is finished:

Please see AstroSkipper’s 22-Mar-2023 post today on page 35 of the MSFN thread Which Antiviruses are Known for a Fact to be Working on XP SP3 as of 2019? that confirms that Avast v18.8 products (i.e., the legacy products for Win XP and Vista) still run on Win XP SP3 and should be receiving regular malware definition updates. That suggests your current Avast Free Antivirus installation is either corrupted and needs a clean reinstall, or that something else (possibly a malware infection that cannot be quarantined or a corrupted Win XP SP3 system file) is causing Avast to consume high amounts of CPU at boot-up.

Further to my suggestion in post # 2543721 that you should run a second-opinion scan with Malwarebytes Free v3.5.1 (the legacy version <here> for Win XP and Vista) to ensure your system isn’t infected with malware that was missed by Avast, I just learned that Malwarebytes is planning to move this legacy anti-malware scanner to end-of-life soon and may have already stopped delivering malware definition updates. According to Malwarebytes employee AdvancedSetup’s 15-Mar-2023 post in Legacy 3.5.1.2522 – Sudden “Red Triangle” “Your updates are not current” that decision is currently being reviewed but he is expecting the support page at Malwarebytes for Windows v3 Product Lifecycle will be updated soon to show that Malwarebytes v3.5.1 is reaching end-of-life.

If Malwarebytes v3.5.1 has already stopped delivering malware definition updates just note that the current Zemana Antimalware v3.2.28 scanner is compatible with Win XP SP3 and higher and is available for a free 15-day trial. However, I’ve never used this cloud-based scanner so I can’t tell you how well it works. The Jan 2023 Lifwire article Zemana AntiMalware 3.0 Premium Review indicates the Free and Premium (paid) versions both provide basic protection and only scan a small number of files so it probably wouldn’t be a good replacement for your Avast Free Antivirus, but you might be able to run a second-opinion scan with the free trial version to see if it finds any threats.
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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.2728 * Firefox v111.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2301.6-1.1.20100.6 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.24.248-1.0.1944 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7279

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Cybertooth

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Imacri:

Well my taxes are done, and I just mailed the last check today.

So I am finally getting back to my XP issue. My answers are not in any particular order relative to your last comments and questions.

I cannot prove that Avast was the only program that affected my loading speed. I only know that since I removed it, the speed to load has been drastically shortened, and in no instance has the XP locked up, and had to be rebooted. Please note that currently the XP is NOT connected to the internet, so it is possible, I guess, that being connected could have caused part of the problem.

These two programs now consume the most CPU time during startup: E_TATIHEA.EXE (1:57) (an Epson status monitor for the Epson WF-7010 color inkjet printer I have) and EPCP.exe (7:09) (an Epson customer participation program). The posts I saw said I can safely uninstall EPCP.exe, but one thing at a time. I must also have these files on my Windows 7 and Windows 10 computers also.

To make it easier to test new programs, since my XP is in a custom built tower, I am going to take it down this week to my local shop and have them install (either internally or as a unit that will sit on top of the tower) a couple of USB female connectors, so I can use USB sticks. I read that the formatting of said USB sticks for the XP is somewhat different than for Window 7 and 10.

I have old versions of C. Cleaner (5.64.7570) and Malwarebytes (1.75.0.1300, dated 4/2013) on the XP. I ran them both today, and no issues/problems were detected.

I just sent emails to both Panda (for Panda Dome Essential) and eScan asking if their programs can be installed on my XP from a USB stick, without being connected to the internet. Do you happen to know that answer?

I notice that eScan recommends 1 GB of memory space, along with 1 GB of disk space. I could not find that information for Panda. Do you have any idea what the Panda requirements are? A post on the msfn.org board that was noted is a 3/23/2023 post from ‘AstroSkipper’ saying he has Panda Dome and that the RAM & CPU usage are ‘very low’.

Harry

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Imacri:

I just heard back from eScan. In case you are interested, here is how they answered my questions:

<span style=”font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica; font-size: small;”>Thank you for contacting us at eScan.

No Sir, no need to have the internet on the system to install Escan.

Internet is only required to update the virus signatures.

Yes, we will provide you the eScan Setup link to download.

You can download the same on Windows 7 OS system and put it on a USB Stick and install the same on a Windows XP computer.

Hope we have been of assistance to you. For further technical assistance do write to us at support@escanav.com. </span>

 

Harry

 

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Cybertooth

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hmw3 wrote:

… I have old versions of C. Cleaner (5.64.7570) and Malwarebytes (1.75.0.1300, dated 4/2013) on the XP. I ran them both today, and no issues/problems were detected…

Hi hmw3:

Could you please clarify how often, or even if, you connect to the internet with your Win XP computer and update your Avast and Malwarebytes malware definitions?

The lifecycle chart <here> shows that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.75 (released 09-Apr-2014) reached end-of-life (EOL) on 08-Jun-2017, which means that your product probably stopped receiving malware definition updates some time ago. That also means that scanning your system with MBAM v1.75 is virtually useless. (NOTE: MBAM v1.x’s immediate successor, MBAM v2.x, also stopped receiving malware definition updates at the end of May 2022 per employee AdvancedSetup’s 26-May-2022 post in MBAM 2.2.1: No Definitions Updates After May 19).

If you were updating Malwarebytes regularly you should have been automatically upgraded to Malwarebytes v3.5.1 (released 08-May-2018; full offline installer available at https://downloads.malwarebytes.com/file/mb3_legacy), which is the current legacy Malwarebytes product for Win XP and Vista. This legacy version of Malwarebytes still receives malware definition updates (see the lifecycle chart for MB v3.5.1 <here>) but according to employee AdvancedSetup’s 29-Mar-2023 post in Legacy 3.5.1.2522 – Sudden “Red Triangle” “Your updates are not current” this legacy version of Malwarebytes will officially reach EOL soon.

Do you know why your MBAM v1.75 has never been automatically upgraded to a newer product version? For example, is it because you never connect your Win XP computer to the internet, because you deliberately disabled product updates in the settings, or because you can’t run Malwarebytes v3.5.1 because your CPU does not support the SSE2 instruction set (see my comments about SSE2 and attached images from my Vista SP2 computer in post # 2543594)?

Could you also go to your list of installed programs (on Win XP I think it’s at Control Panel | Programs | Add & Remove Programs) and tell us the exact name and version number of your Avast antivirus? Perhaps whatever is causing problems with your Malwarebytes updating is also causing problems now with Avast.

EDIT:

Some antivirus programs allow users to manually update their malware definitions while disconnected from the internet (for example, the legacy Norton Security v22.15.5 antivirus I used on my Vista SP2 machine offers an offline virus definition updater called the Intelligent Updater) but I have no idea if Avast offers something like this for your legacy Avast antivirus.

hmw3 wrote:

Over the years I have compiled lots of typed notes regarding how to most effectively use MYM. I tried a couple of other programs, but never got comfortable with using them….So if I can get the XP to safely run for a few more years, that is all I need. Then my heirs can deal with the taxes.

Also keep in mind that your hard drive isn’t going to last forever.  According to the EaseUS article SSD vs HDD Lifespan, Which Lasts Longer SSD or HDD? What’s the Difference old-style HDD spinning platters can only be expected to last about 5 years with normal wear and tear (although I’ve had HDDs last much longer than that) so you should have an emergency plan in place if the hard drive on your Win XP machine fails one day and you can’t boot up to access your Managing Your Money (MYM) DOS financial software.
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Dell Inspiron 5584 *64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.2846 * Firefox v112.0.0 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2303.8-1.1.20200.4 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.26.259-1.0.1976 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7279 * Speccy Portable v1.32.740 * CPU-Z Portable v2.05.1

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I have used DOSbox for all sorts of things and found it to be reliable. There is also vDOS.

See this newsletter article for more info.
https://www.askwoody.com/2023/would-you-ever-run-an-ms-dos-program-in-64-bit-windows/

cheers, Paul

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Paul:

Several years ago when my financial program had a forum on the internet, there was a member who used DOSbox. But he kept fiddling with it, to get the financial program to run correctly/consistently. So I never tried it. Perhaps it is more reliable and easier to use now.

 

Harry

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Imacri:

“Could you please clarify how often, or even if, you connect to the internet with your Win XP computer and update your Avast and Malwarebytes malware definitions?”

My XP was on my network until I uninstalled Avast. I haven’t manually updated Malwarebytes in years. Malwarebytes said it was a 2013 verson. As I may have mentioned earlier, I only use this machine for running some old financial programs. I have no idea why my Malwarebytes, etc. never automatically upgraded. Perhaps I have it set not to? I guess I will have to go check.

I was just getting ready to download escan, but I notice that both it and Panda talk about supporting a network. My other two Windows computers are on my network. I have Microsoft Security Essentials installed on my Windows 7 computer and my Windows 10 laptop says it has Windows Security/Microsoft Defender antivirus. If I install escan or Panda on my XP, aren’t I going to have some conflict with it and Security Essentials and Microsoft Defender trying to protect my network, or am I missing something really basic here?

 

Harry

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hmw3 wrote:

… I was just getting ready to download escan, but I notice that both it and Panda talk about supporting a network. My other two Windows computers are on my network….

Hi hmw3:

What eScan home consumer product are you downloading – Anti-Virus, Internet Security Suite, or Total Security Suite?

I’ve never used an eScan product so I’m not the best person to ask, but I looked at the some of the the features <here> of eScan Anti-Virus (be sure to click the “Load More Features button)  and it includes a two-way firewall to monitor incoming and outgoing traffic on your internet connection. All that means is that the one-way Windows Firewall built in to Win XP (which only monitors incoming traffic to prevent attackers who might try to access your system) would be replaced with a better two-way firewall that also prevent malicious applications that you might have on your PC from connecting to the Internet and sending out information from your computer. If that’s what you mean by “supporting a network” then this two-way eScan firewall would have no impact on your other computers.

ASIDE: Anytime you switch antivirus products (e.g., from Avast to eScan) it’s always best if you remove the last remnants of the old antivirus first with the manufacturer’s removal tool so that any orphaned registry entries and/or files left over from the Control Panel uninstall don’t interfere with your new antivirus. Before you install eScan to test if it runs correctly on your Win XP machine (we still don’t know if your CPU supports SSE2) I’d still suggest that you run the Avast Uninstall Tool (avastclear.exe) for 32-bit Win XP / Avast v18.x that is available at https://install.avcdn.net/iavs9x-xp/avastclear.exe (see my post # 2543721 for more information).

The same applies if you decide to test Panda Dome later – you should wipe eScan off your computer before you install Panda. Post back if you need help with this – I’d have look for the correct eScan uninstaller tool if this is something that eScan customer support can’t provide.

hmw3 wrote:

… I have Microsoft Security Essentials installed on my Windows 7 computer and my Windows 10 laptop says it has Windows Security/Microsoft Defender antivirus…

Support for the Win 7 SP1 OS on your primary computer ended on 14-Jan-2020 and according to the MS support article What is Microsoft Security Essentials? “Microsoft Security Essentials reached end of service on January 14, 2020 and is no longer available as a download. Microsoft will continue to release signature updates (including engine) to service systems currently running Microsoft Security Essentials until 2023.” I don’t know if your MSE antivirus has already stopped receiving virus definition updates, but if you don’t have plans to retire this computer soon and move all your software and personal data to your Win 10 machine (which I would strongly advise) then you might want to consider purchasing a second license for eScan (or whatever new antivirus program you decide to use on your Win XP SP3 computer) for your Win 7 SP1 computer. A two-device / 1-year license for eScan Anti-Virus looks like it only costs ~ $10 more per year than a one-device license.

ASIDE: Internet Explorer 11 is no longer supported on Win 7 (see the MS support article Internet Explorer Downloads). Chromium-based browsers like Google Chrome have also ended support for Win 7, and Mozilla Firefox may be ending support for this OS in late 2024 (see the 28-Mar-2023 ghacks.net article Firefox to Support Windows 7 and 8 Systems Well Into 2024 At Least). Yet another reason to start migrating everything over to your Win 10 machine.

hmw3 wrote:

… My XP was on my network until I uninstalled Avast…

lmacri wrote:

… I’m also wondering what web browser you use on this Win XP SP3 machine? Even with a working antivirus on this machine it’s not safe to be connecting to the internet, and using an unsupported browser adds even more risk…

Perhaps a topic for another day, but I don’t think you ever mentioned what browser you currently use on your Win XP SP3 machine. If you plan on connecting to the internet on this machine to download software or do anything else that requires a browser then it’s essential that you use a secure browser (e.g., one that supports TLS 1.2 or higher for connecting to secure https:\\ sites) along with a reputable content blocker to block adware, pop-ups, trackers, etc..  See my comments about Firefox ESR v52,  MyPal v68, etc. in post # 2543721.

hmw3 wrote:

… Several years ago when my financial program had a forum on the internet, there was a member who used DOSbox. But he kept fiddling with it, to get the financial program to run correctly/consistently. So I never tried it…

I found an old Managing Your Money (MYM12) tips page at https://www.starkeysoftware.com/MYM/ that includes a link to instructions for running MYM 12 on a 64-bit Windows computer using vDOS or DOSBox – see https://www.starkeysoftware.com/MYM/windows64bit.html. Those instructions are a bit complicated and include modifications to a few .bat and .txt configuration files to automate the launch of MYM in the vDOS x86 DOS emulator, but I’m sure some of the vDOS or DOSBox users in this forum would be happy to help if you want to follow up on this. As I noted before, the hard drive in your Win XP machine isn’t going to last forever and you could suddenly find yourself without access to your MYM software and files when (not if) your Win XP machine eventually dies.
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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.2846 * Firefox v112.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2303.8-1.1.20200.4 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.26.259-1.0.1976 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7279 * Speccy Portable v1.32.740 * CPU-Z Portable v2.05.1

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hmw3 wrote:

I was just getting ready to download escan, but I notice that both it and Panda talk about supporting a network.

Harry, can you provide links to the pages where eScan and Panda state that they support a “network”? Sseeing the statements in context might help us to figure out what they mean when they say that.

 

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

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Cybertooth:

See attached ad from eScan. Look at the text underlined in red.

I would appreciate your wisdom on this, because I am confused.

 

Harry

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An “ordinary” AV product can’t protect a network, it can only protect individual PCs. If you protect all PCs you could maybe describe the network as protected.

cheers, Paul

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Paul:

Thanks for the clarification.

Maybe eScan doesn’t understand the terminology any better than I do!

 

Harry

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Harry, thanks for the screenshot. It helped to lead me to eScan’s User Guide, where there is a discussion of the software’s firewall feature starting on page 62. The program is (or, at least, seems) quite sophisticated, with plenty of settings for advanced users.

I am no expert on firewalls, but I gather that eScan permits you, if you so choose, to block or trust specific hosts (other computers) on your local network–see page 64 in the Guide. in theory, this could help to protect the PC running eScan from another PC on the network that might have been infected with malware.

Also, I concur with what @lmacri wrote above:

…the one-way Windows Firewall built in to Win XP (which only monitors incoming traffic to prevent attackers who might try to access your system) would be replaced with a better two-way firewall that also prevent malicious applications that you might have on your PC from connecting to the Internet and sending out information from your computer.

Others who are more knowledgeable about the workings of firewall technology may correct what I said or otherwise be in a better position to explain things.

 

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

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Imacri:

You said: “I found an old Managing Your Money (MYM12) tips page at https://www.starkeysoftware.com/MYM/ that includes a link to instructions for running MYM 12 on a 64-bit Windows computer using vDOS or DOSBox – see https://www.starkeysoftware.com/MYM/windows64bit.html.”

I knew Starkey from years ago (in fact I run his MYMLOCK & MYMBack programs), but didn’t know he was still around. I also noted that he runs VDOS, AND, if I ask he will send me everything on a CD so all I would have to do is cut/paste to my computer. I think I will take him up on that!

But in the meantime, I think I will get the basic version of PandaDome or eScan so I can get my XP back on line.

I’ll keep you up to date with how it goes.

 

Harry

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Imacri et al:

I downloaded and installed eScan. And I purchased a 1 year subscription, which should do me until I have moved everything I need to my Windows 7.

Those two steps were easy. Then I tried to Register the product and get an Activation Code, which would allow me to use it for a year. (Until this is submitted, the program, although paid for,  is only good for 30 days.) That is when the problems began. It appears that this company is located in India. People who work at the other Indian companies I have dealt with speak good English, probably because they were under British rule for so long. But not these folks. I have spent days, and sent at least a dozen emails, over a week’s time, trying to fill out their registration form, which has entries that make no sense, such as the Machine Code number, which is not noted anywhere on the product. Then I get error messages such as ‘key entered is not a valid key’, but no indication of which key(s) I entered are not valid.

Then they ask for the Dealer/Reseller number. And on it goes.

Maybe others have had better luck than I have, but knowing what I know now, I would select another product other than eScan.

Harry

 

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Just an FYI for anyone following this topic that Malwarebytes has announced that they will no longer support Malwarebytes v3.5.1 (the legacy edition for Win XP and Vista) effective immediately.  That means there will be no further malware definition updates released for any legacy v3.x product, including v3.5.1.

See employee jtodd234’s 08-Aug-2024 post in anon743’s Malwarebytes 3.5.1 not updating definitions… again in the Malwarebytes forum for more information.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4651 * Firefox v129.0.0 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24070.5-1.1.24070.3 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.1.6.117-1.0.1280 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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Cybertooth

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