Is the AV program in the OnTrack SystemSuite 4.0 a good program (called VirusScanner Pro)? I know that each program has its advantages and disadvantages, but how does anyone out there think this program "stacks up" compared to Norton, Panda, or other "pay" AV programs?

OnTrack's antivirus program is not free, it is part of their desktop utility, so it is not free. Its virus defitions are updated regularly. The only person that I know that uses it is very satisfied with it, and has been using it for years. He updates and renews his subscription every year. It protects his accounting practice, which tells me he must really like it. I am not a user or supporter of those utilities. It is rated as one of the best integrated desktop utilities by the various PC Magazines.

Thanks for the info. I know it isn't free. But, a computer I am thinking of buying from a custom shop will have either Norton Utilities or SystemSuite 4.0 on it, depending on which I choose. Seriously considering the suite, as Norton just plain deposits too much crap all over the registry for my tastes.

I got a new computer a couple of years ago with Windows ME. I soon went out and got OnTrack’s System Suite 4.0. Norton’s Suite may do I better job of fixing a system, but it seams to also do a better job of messing things up when there are no problems, I had Norton before on a Window 98 system. I think you may be right, it tries to do too much, (with the registry!). I’ve also had a couple of friends tell me that it causes too many problems, a one person that has it but, only uses it form the CD (not installed). For me it seamed like half of the problems it fixed and the other half it caused. One last thing about Norton, after a year I had to pay for AV updates, with OnTrack for almost 3 years I have had to pay nothing. A couple of notes: It looks like OnTrack uses software from Trend Micro System, (www.trendmicro.com), for their AV software. I have gone there a number of times to get info on a virus. It looks like they use fire-wall software from SyGate, (www.sygate.com). The fire-wall that came with OnTrack, at that time, was a somewhat buggy so I went to SyGate and got their Personal Fire-Wall program for FREE. The new program worked much better.