Would very much appreciate if someone could tell me if using Avast home free on Windows ME have any known compatibility issues?
Also, would using Outpost firewall along with Avast be compatible?
Hopefully these two are newbie friendly (meaning in ease of use).
Thanks for any help.
I’m not aware of any compatibility issues with winME other than the limitations of winME.
I have Outpost Pro version 4.0 with no problems, you don’t mention what version you are using ?
The latest Outpost Firewall Pro 2008 has a problems (on the OP side), but there is a work around for that, but I doubt that you have that version as I don’t believe it works with winME.
Thanks DavidR for your reply.
I haven’t installed either program yet, just needed some advice first. I was considering installing Outpost firewall free 1.0.1.1817 - (2.5 mb) from Major Geeks site, because as you said, ME does have it’s limitations, and then also installing Avast home.
Hopefully, this would be a good compatible pair?
Comments or suggestions please. Thanks.
Right now, am using F-secure free through my ISP, but it doesn’t seem to be doing what it should (very slow and freeze-ups and generally slowed the PC).
Windows ME
320 mb memory
600 mhz
The free version of outpost I would say is a waste of time as it hasn’t had any development in years. Yes it would be compatible but how effective it might be is debatable, but you may be limited to much older versions to not hamper your browsing and system.
You are going to be hampered with many later firewall versions simply not supporting older OSes. Sorry I can’t make any suggestions for firewalls that support winME as I have never used it so am not familiar with firewalls that might work with it.
See A Forum discussion on free firewalls http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=30808.0
See http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/results.php, most of these may not support winME though. You could start with a google search for winME free firewall and see what that brings.
Some firewall tests for comparison, some are freeware but many are paid for versions http://www.firewallleaktester.com/tests.php. Also see http://www.thefreecountry.com/security/firewalls.shtml
Thanks so much for your input DavidR.
I will follow-up on your suggestions and see what I can come up with.
As an aside: I was told by a tech that if one is using Windows 98 or ME that you don’t need a firewall or an antivirus.
Granted they are obsolete, so to speak, but don’t think I would feel comfortable with that. :
You’re welcome.
Whoever told you that, doesn’t have the right to call themselves a tech, all OSes require a firewall and an AV. You only have to browse the viruses and worms forum to see that.
I’ve not used it on ME but I know a few people still using Outpost 1.0 Free, avast! and 98SE with no apparent compatibility problems.
Other free firewalls for 9X are available at http://www.oldversion.com/ including “classics” like Sygate and Tiny.
I have been using Outpost 1.0 Free and avast! free with Win98SE, and Outpost 3.51 and avast! free with WinME, both for about 2 years, having no apparent compatibility problems on either computer. On the rare occasions when I have found it necessary to reinstall avast! on the Win98SE computer (some program updates in the past worked better that way), it has been necessary to uninstall both OP and avast! and reinstall OP before reinstalling avast!