fn buttons as default - antivirus - uninstall IE

[martin131086]

I have these 3 problems i dont know what to do about...

can I set the fn buttons to do the actions as they are intended (sound, light, sleep and so on) as default so I dont have to push the fn all the time?

what free antivir are you guys using? i need something that just works, since i'm not going to spend lots of time configuring it.

how do I uninstall IE? i'm only using chrome and IE sometimes pops up with spam and its a little annoying

[Digerati]

Well, sadly, you failed to tell us anything about your system. All I can assume is you have a notebook, since most PC keyboard do not have Fn. I doubt you can change your Fn actions so you don't need to press the Fn keys. You might be able to change some, but not all as many programs, and Windows itself uses the F keys for various features.

As for an AV, I use and recommend Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). Microsoft got this one right.

You should not uninstall IE. You can make Chrome your default, however. And if using Vista or Windows 7, make sure you are using the latest IE, IE9. If XP, use IE8. And note spam has nothing to do with IE. Spam is unwanted email.

[Belatucadrus]

1) Microsoft Keyboard layout creator Never tried it but looks as if it could work.

2) avast! Remember to download the installation file, disconnect from Internet, Remove existing AV software, Run Installation executable and then reconnect to internet for signature updates. Then run a full scan.

3) Difficult as it's tied in fairly well with windows, but you shouldn't need to. The fact that it's popping up with spam, presumably spontaneously indicates probable malware infection. Try Malwarebytes.

[Digerati]

The fact that it's popping up with spam

Again, spam is email. That is not an IE issue.

If looking for a good spam blocker, I highly recommend MailWasher Pro.

[Belatucadrus]

The fact that it's popping up with spam

Again, spam is email. That is not an IE issue.

I think you're getting bogged down with semantics, from his post martin131086 has an issue with pop ups in IE, now while this is clearly not e-mail spam it's a problem. It could be messenger spam or something else such as a malware infection, Malwarebytes is a good starting point.

It would be interesting to know what if any Security software is already installed.

[Digerati]

I think you're getting bogged down with semantics

:( Semantics? Ummm, no. Not at all.

Spam and pop-ups are two totally different security threats delivered by two totally different delivery methods and therefore are addressed by two totally different categories of security applications! No semantics here. I don't want to assume or guess I know what Martin "really" meant. Not when he was very clear everywhere else. And not when he can come back and clarify. If there's confusion or a misunderstanding in the technical terminology, then IMO, it does no one any good if not clarified at the start. When allowed to continue, it is perceived to be correct and the misunderstanding is reinforced. That reinforced misunderstanding, in turn, can and often does lead to further confusion - on both sides of the conversation. Never good in technical discussions, especially those about security.

Malwarebytes is a good starting point

For supplemental scanning, I agree 100%. But sadly, you have to pay for the real-time version, though $25 is not bad, and it is a one-time fee. I like Avast too, but when when I migrated my systems to Windows 7, I went with Windows Firewall and MSE and have had no regrets. Version 1.x proved to be excellent, and the latest MSE 2.0 is better yet. There are several excellent anti-malware programs to choose from, some free, some not. I normally recommend getting one that performs consistently well in tests by the following respected labs:

• ICSA Labs
  
• WestCoast Labs
  
• AV-Test
  

As with all installs, be sure to use the "custom" install option when installing, and uncheck any options for extra programs, toolbars, or add-ons not wanted. We need to keep in mind regardless the anti-malware solution, the user is always the weakest link.

@Martin - please clarify your problem with IE. If you do mean pop-ups, then ensure you have IE's Pop-up Blocker enabled under Tools. I have found it to be very effective and use no other. To block other ads, I use SimpleAdBlock for IE and it works very well. As I said earlier, even if you prefer and have set Chrome as your default, IE should be working fine. And it is a good idea to keep a second browser handy anyway. If you have troubles accessing a site, you can test it with a second browser. And though getting rarer, some sites still require IE, so it might as well be your second.

[bludgard]

what free antivir are you guys using? i need something that just works, since i'm not going to spend lots of time configuring it.

I use Microsoft Security Essentials on my Windows 7 machine and avast! on all others.

I run Malwarebytes free once in a while, but I tend to be fairly safe while browsing so there isn't a whole lot of bells and whistles going off.

Once in a while I'll go looking for malware and/or viruses to play with (on a disposable virtual machine). The little buggers can be quite entertaining at times.:lol:

[martin131086]

avast seems to be working for me and my popups (not spam) has dissapeared after updating to IE9... the only problem left is the keymapping... that software you've suggested belatucadrus cant keymap f1-12, so that's not working, but thx for trying anyways

if anyone got an idea how to do it I would love to hear

[Boris]

Have you tried this ?
/>http://www.autohotkey.com/

[MANEMAN]

Or this which has been developed using Autohotkey mentioned above by Boris:

** Control Pad ** -

Free !

This has got to be one of the most seriously undersold and understated pieces of freeware ever, as far as "Launch Capability" is concerned.

Mainly I think because on the website they state: - "ControlPad was designed to be operated entirely from the numeric keypad."

It may have been designed that way, but they fail to point out very clearly that you can use any combination of letters/words/keys, on the computer keyboard, to launch just about anything that you can think of.

They have, I agree stated: "You may also use words instead of numeric codes." - But somehow they have also managed to understate it.

I can move around a computer very fast with this thing. :)

Numeric Asterix + "PF" + Enter - Opens Program files immediately.

Numeric Asterix + "Acronis" + Enter - Launches Acronis.

Etc; etc; etc. - You get the picture here. - Very easy to self program for your needs.

(Keying adapted for laptop/netbook without numerical keyboard)

Copying a file path to clipboard with Windows 7 has never been easier.

However, **Everything Search** will give you access to the more obscure or "hidden" file paths, and also has " Copy to clipboard capability"

**REMOUSE** - Free ! is going to give you "Macro" facilities on Windows 7 (32&64bit) and is a whole lot of fun to play around with.

(It is worth the 800kb download, just to play with this thing, - really.)

You're not finished yet !!!! :D

Cos' then you've got, - "Mouse Gesture" software to investigate. ;)

If you cant find a way around not pressing "Fn" after all those suggestions ?

Just carry on using it the way it is. :P

John.

[MANEMAN]

Thank you...........

Feedback is always a good thing. :) - Sorta shows people are "real" interested in stuff.

Obviously not !

Makes you kinda real proud that you are part of a "Go Ahead" forum.

John.