My roommate has an eMac that'* freezing way, WAY too often. She'* done basically no maintenance to the thing (to the point where her virus scanner hasn't been updated since 2005), and I have no idea where to start, as I'm used to my oh-so-familiar PC. Does anyone have any recommendations for basic maintenance that can be done or anti-virus/spyware programs for Mac (os X)? Or for that matter, any other suggestions that might help? I'm good with PCs, but am Mac challenged.

Time consuming is not an issue...I'm home with the stomach flu today. I literally unhooked my PC and dragged it across the apartment because I couldn't fathom an entire long day without internet. :P

Thanks in advance!

Tell her to get a PC

(GXP_Vince is gonna kill me)

Mac'* dont really get viruses. I work on a G5 Powermac 8 hours a day, everyday, and our company runs ZERO virus software.

I suggest finding the OSX install CD, backing up her files and reinstall the OS.

what are the specs of the machine? maybe just time for a new one?

Okay, I know she'* got a good start on backing stuff up. I'll see if she can find her OS install disk (here'* hoping!). She'* talking about a new computer, but I'll be fixing hers anyway because I'll probably be picking it up. When the little bugger works right, I love it.

I'm not entirely sure what the specs are, other than it has a manufacture date of mid-2005.

No viruses here either. The commercials are true!

Hence why I want one. I lent my PC to my sister for about a year, and am just now running virus scans and windows updates on it. She had it connected to high speed internet with no extra protection.

Ad-Aware is halfway done scanning my computer, and has so far found 573 infections.

Sounds like you need a tissue.

Another commercial reference.

It is true. I run no antivirus on either of our macs, and no viruses over here, ever.

Funny though, they don't usually crash. Something must be off over there.

I've got an emac too. Not as slick as an imac, but still a nice machine.

The High school here has a Macintosh IIvx that has been running the original install of 7.1 and has been running the internet since 1993 with NO crashes. Reliability, anyone?

I should have stayed with Apple when I got my first one in 1997. Oh well, Mr. PC here is going bye bye in April and a new iMac is replacing it.

As for the computer crashing, best thing to do is back everything up, and reinstall OSX, it'* pretty straightforward, and takes only a few minutes. That'* how I do my iMac 333.