Removal of McAfee security centre

[Creepy]

I recently purchased a Dell computer which came with 15 months McAfee security centre. Everything was fine and a great deal - until I needed to run System Restore to sort another problem.
On re-starting my computer ( McAfee) issued an error message and came up black (it should be green - it was before) I tried online update and all their virtual tech. etc. to no avail. Contacted their online 'Chat' support centre who basically told me to use the uninstall wizard. This did not work, and they asked me to reload McAfee from disc. This did not work. The online chat support team then spoke with their supervisor and they emailed me instructons and cleanup tools. I thought GREAT ! (had spent about 3 hours already) I find these instructions hard to follow and they entail editing the registry - I am not so sure I should attempt this.
I am loathed to go back to them as its so time consuming - any ideas ?
P.S. they assured me I had virus protection but I am not so sure as when I open virus scan it throws an error immediately !
Help !

[j2buttonsw]

What do you want help with? Removing it? I would download the microsoft installer cleanup utility (they say it is for office but it works with anything installed with the microsoft installer) http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301/ then installing it then selecting McAfee. This removes McAfeee from the registry but does not remove files from the program files. I would do this then reinstall it from the CD or better still, not install it but use the much better free AVG from here: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5

[Creepy]

Thanks very much - yes I want to uninstall it and start again. I think that we are tied to the Dell agreement so I must unfortunately reinstall.

[fo3nix]

You don't have to use it creepy. You aren't made to use it.

Use AVG instead.

[Creepy]

Thanks very much to the answers provided - I have now removed McAfee after much wasted time. AVG now installed.
Thanks.

[fo3nix]

If you no longer have a firewall now, make sure you install one. I recommend Kerio personal firewall, but zonealarm is another favourite too.

[jake-the-peg]

If you ever are unsure whether you have A/V protection go here:

www.eicar.org

Click the "Anti Virus test file" link on the left . Scroll down and click one of the Eicar links.

All anti-virus programs without exception should detect the "Eicar" file as a test virus.

If your computer can download this file you aren't protected