Windows Defender doesn't stay running

[Guest]

If I leave my computer on for a lengthy period of time, Windows Defender just
shuts down. When I reboot, or shut down, and later boot up, Windows Defender
does not turn itself on. Version 1.1.1505.0, Engine Version 1.1.3007.0,
Definition Version 1.23.4050.0. Vista Ultimate OS.

 

[Dave M]

DGK;

It sounds like you may have the Live OneCare security suite installed which
by default disables the standalone Defender. Another possibility is that
the Windows Security Center is reporting that Defender is shut down,
although it's really not down at all and there's actually a problem with
your WMI database. Let us know if either of these could be the problem.
In any event, I think you need to tell us why you believe Defender is down.

 

[Guest]

I do have the Live OneCare suite. I know it is down because it will either
not show in the tool bar, or after I have turned it on, it will change from a
green circle with white checkmark to a yellow circle with a black explanation
mark, and the bubble says it is turned off and not running. Then I have the
option to turn it back on again.

So with the Live OneCare suite, I do not need Defender? If that is the
case, why does the download for Live OneCare suggest and offer the download
of Defender?

Thanks!

 

[Dave M]

If you're running Vista, Windows Defender arrived on your machine as part
of the Vista Operating system, so you didn't need to download it... it's
already there. Perhaps you saw something that said people downloading
OneCare were among the group of people that also downloaded Defender? In
any event, those people would all have been XP/SP2 users who don't have
Defender as an integral part of their operating system. They have to
download Defender over the net to get it installed.

No, you do not need Defender for protection with OneCare running, but it
can not be removed from a Vista system, and it is just put in a disabled
state. If you ever do remove OneCare, Defender will automatically activate
again to provide malware protection minus the anti-virus component. Here's
the official Ms explanation:

http://windowsonecare.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!C29701F38A601141!3842.entry

 

[Guest]

Dave,

Thank you very much. That completely explains my "dilemma".

 

[Edward]

If I leave my computer on for a lengthy period of time, Windows Defender just
shuts down. When I reboot, or shut down, and later boot up, Windows Defender
does not turn itself on. Version 1.1.1505.0, Engine Version 1.1.3007.0,
Definition Version 1.23.4050.0. Vista Ultimate OS.