Been hit by Trojan Agent/Gen-Fakealert(local)

[Corrine]

Hi, Casi.

Adding additional memory won't solve the virtual memory problem without sufficient RAM -- although you do have more than the minimum 256 MB for Windows XP.  You may need to adjust the size of the paging file.  From "Your system is low on virtual memory" error message when you try to start an Office program for Windows XP:

   1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
   2. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
   3. In the Performance pane, click Settings.
   4. In the Performance Options dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
   5. In the Virtual memory pane, click Change.
   6. Change the Initial size value and the Maximum size value to a higher value, click Set, and then click OK.
   7. Click OK to close the Performance Options dialog box, and then click OK to close the System Properties dialog box.

From How can I fix "too little virtual memory" in Windows?:

The default and recommended size of this file is 1.5 times the amount of physical memory. Virtual memory is the sum of physical memory and the page file. So if your computer has 512 MB RAM, it will have a 768 MB page file by default.

If you need advice on your laptop, create a new topic in Computer Problems, Questions and Solutions! and we will do our best to advise you. 

[Casi]

Thanks...I changed to 700 and 1200.  It was on the recommended settings.  Is that okay?  I have one more slot than I can add more ram, would that help?

[winchester73]

If you believe Walter Mossberg, and I do, then stuff your computer with as much RAM as it can hold. It's cheap, and nothing improves performance more. If memory serves, Windows XP supports 4GB, not that you'll want that much.

This may help:  http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup/addmemory.aspx

[Casi]

I just ordered some additional RAM.  Hope it will speed things up a bit!

Thanks

Casi

[Casi]

Corrine!
I just got my "new" HP Pavillion back from repair.  It has Windows 7 OS.  I have Spyware Blaster, AVG free, and Malwarebytes on it.  You really recommend adding the software firewall?  I added the Online Armor to the IBM Netvista that we have been working on.  I am wondering if that is what is adding to its slowness.  Maybe it is because I don't know how to get all the settings right.  Yesterday I kept having to restart and reboot because it just seemed to get stuck.  I respect your opinion and if you say I need it, I'll get it.  I have another question too.  The laptop, which I'm going to have you help me with has Windows Defender on it, which I've had folks say isn't good protection.  Should I uninstall it and get something else?

TIA
Casi

[Corrine]

Hi, Casi.

The Windows 7 firewall is substantially improved over the Windows XP firewall so should be fine, particularly if you are behind a router. 

Since you have the free version of Malwarebytes on the laptop, Windows Defender is providing you with real-time protection.  As a result, I suggest you leave it.  Note:  In the event you decide to switch to Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) instead of AVG, during the installation of MSE, Windows Defender is inactivated since MSE includes both antivirus and anti-spyware protection.

You may want to wait until you install the additional RAM, however, if you are not happy with the performance of the other machine after installing Online Armor, you could download Outpost firewall and see if that performs better on your computer. 

[Casi]

Okay, great!  Thanks!