Firewalls and virus software

[John]

My Dell came with McAfee pre-installed and I constantly
get pop-ups indicating new McAfee updates are necessary.
After downloading these updates, I am starting to have
performance issues.

My questions is, does XP Pro have a built in firewall and
virus protection. Would McAfee cause a compatability
issue with XP Pro.

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

John;
Windows XP does not come with an antivirus application.
Depending on the particular antivirus application, updates can come
out weekly, daily etc.
New viruses are discovered and new techniques to deal with them is an
ongoing process.
The updates are necessary to help keep your computer protected against
the latest threats.

However a firewall is included:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q283673

There should not be any incompatibilities with the provided version of
McAfee and Windows XP.
Are you sure that is the source?

Try these:
Does this apply:
Some computers have issues with 811493 causing a slowdown, others do
not.
The issue seems to be a conflict with Windows Update 811493 and
antivirus applications.
Similar issues reported with McAfee, Norton, EZ Trust and possibly
others.
Uninstall 811493 from Control Panel Add/Remove Programs.
If a warning comes up about other applications, ignore it.
Uninstalling through Add/Remove Programs is far better than System
Restore to remove an application or fix.
Microsoft has stated they are working on the cause, so hopefully we
will get some definitive solution real soon.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=819634

Otherwise:
Run an updated virus scan.
Run Disk Cleanup checking all boxes except "Compress old files"
Run Defrag.
If you have file sharing software such as Kazaa, disable it.
Check this link:
http://www.aumha.org/a/noads.php
Run Ad-Aware (free version) or Spybot to check for spyware:
http://www.lavasoft.de/ (Update if you already have it)
Or
http://spybot.eon.net.au/ (Update if you already have it)

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.


"John" > wrote in message
...
> My Dell came with McAfee pre-installed and I constantly
> get pop-ups indicating new McAfee updates are necessary.
> After downloading these updates, I am starting to have
> performance issues.
>
> My questions is, does XP Pro have a built in firewall and
> virus protection. Would McAfee cause a compatability
> issue with XP Pro.
>
>