BleepingComputer.com: How Much Is Too Much?

I am not sure if this is the appropriate forum but if instead it should be in Windows XP, please transfer.
I have Windows XP, Home edition (service pack 3 ) as my operating system with only 256 mb of memory.
I always keep it up to date and have all the anti-virus/removal tools included in the updates.
In addition, I have the following applications , all of which are up-to-date and used:
McAfee Security Center, Virus scan and Personal Fire Wall
AVG Anti Spyware 7.5 (premium )
Spyware Blaster
Spybot Search and Destroy
Stinger
SmitFraud Fix and RRT

I also clean files etc regularly with Easy Cleaner, Clean Disk and system disk clean. I will also occasionally use Autoruns.

I have never had any conflict problems except when I had Ad-Aware installed which I no-longer use.

Everytime McAfee sends updates, almost everything else stops or slows down considerably until the update is installed. Also, my computer (Dell Inspiron 1100 laptop) runs rather slowly.

Am I "over-killing" my security? Are my problems insufficient memory? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Norman

Not at all. FYI.. Ad-aware AND Spybot is past it's prime, I recommend you install SUPERAntispyware 4.1 Free. Which is "the new kid on the block", It's database is huge, I really think you can get rid of Spybot, SmitFraud & RRT (Unless you had a malware problem in the past).

Try it, & install it. It's extremely good. Also have some common sense hehe

Josh

Edit: Deleted unnecessary quote, to be more dialup friendly. ~ Animal

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one might ask what antivirus protection is IN that update?

if you have

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do you also have the Windows XP firewall also activated?

can you 'unravell' this a bit for us?

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although this article
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library...57057.aspx#EHAA

gives some RAM values I suggest you may wish to review your RAM amount?
do you have the latest stinger on there?