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Deleting Norton Quarantine Folder

Discussion in 'Other PC Software' started by ddm, 2008/03/12.

  1. 2008/03/12
    ddm

    ddm Inactive Thread Starter

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    I removed Norton Internet Security using the uninstall and the removal tool, but find that I cannot remove the Quarantine folder at C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Symantec\SRTSP\Quarantine.

    Treesize professional tells me that it contains over 3.5GB in 2500+ files.

    Is there a "simple" way to remove this?

    PS. I am using Windows XP SP2

    PPS. Does not delete in Safe mode either...
     
    ddm,
    #1
  2. 2008/03/12
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    PeteC,
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  4. 2008/03/12
    ddm

    ddm Inactive Thread Starter

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    I tried MoveonBoot as you suggested with no joy.

    Is there some way to unprotect this folder since Norton has been removed??
     
    ddm,
    #3
  5. 2008/03/12
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I don't think I can help you further bar suggesting that you reinstall Norton - AV at least, empty the Quarantine folder - assuming that you can - and then uninstall Norton again.

    I am not a Norton user (nor lover) so I am limited to what Google pops up and I can find no further info.
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2008/03/12
    ddm

    ddm Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks for trying.

    My subscription to Norton has run out so I'm not sure it will reinstal. I am not keen to do that anyway - I am no longer a Norton fan... but if needs must I may try that.

    Thanks again.
     
    ddm,
    #5
  7. 2008/03/12
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Christer,
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  8. 2008/03/12
    ddm

    ddm Inactive Thread Starter

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    Ran the removal tool 3 times again - no success.

    Tried Killbox w/o success...

    Help!!!!

    Is there a program I can boot into from a CD that will stop windows loading and protecting the folder and allow me to delete it?
     
    ddm,
    #7
  9. 2008/03/12
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Sorry about that, I should have read more carefully.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #8
  10. 2008/03/13
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Don't see a problem there - the sub is basically for definition updates on a regular basis.
     
    PeteC,
    #9
  11. 2008/03/13
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    I don't have any experience with "Treesize" but I've been thinking (believe it or not) about the reported size and number of files. Those indicate either

    - a high number of attacks and that the quarantine has never been cleared, or

    - that the quarantine has been "hijacked ".

    I tend to believe the latter option is true since normally, when uninstalling Norton AntiVirus, if there are any files in the quarantine, the user is asked whether to delete the files or to restore them.

    Maybe this is a case for the malware guys?

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #10
  12. 2008/03/13
    ddm

    ddm Inactive Thread Starter

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    I reinstalled Norton.

    Norton said that there are NO files in Quarantine, so there was nothing for me to delete.

    I didn't have a virus to scan and put in quarantine to see if I could then erase it...

    I have removed Norton and reloaded Zone Alarm (which Norton said I had to remove!!)

    Folder will still not delete and Treesize says the files are still in there!!
     
    ddm,
    #11
  13. 2008/03/13
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    There's no sign of any malware?

    Assuming that the file system is NTFS, you can't boot from a floppy to DOS and try to delete it from there. What I would try, provided that I know that there is no malware in play, is to connect the hard disk as a slave to another computer. If something has locked that folder as being in use, it shouldn't be locked if not booted from.

    Might be worth a try ... :confused: ... !

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #12
  14. 2008/03/13
    Dennis L Lifetime Subscription

    Dennis L Inactive Alumni

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    I've read you have tried / failed with MoveOnBoot.
    You could try UnLocker and try to release / unlock any processes the Folder / file(s) may be associated to. You should attempt this AFTER uninstalling Norton.
     
    Dennis L,
    #13
  15. 2008/03/13
    ddm

    ddm Inactive Thread Starter

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    Mr

    In safe mode I am still refused access to the quarantine folder - windows explorer will not display the contents. Trying to delete the folder in safe mode gives the message: access denied.

    Treesize still lists 2390 files such as AP0A231FDE.tmp (2.5MB)

    I made a backup image with Acronis True Image and looked in the archive. It showed the quarantine folder with its contents as in Treesize. However, it would not let me delete anything... I thought I might be able to delete it in the archive and then restore the modified image, but no joy. Does any other backup program allow this??

    I tried try UnLocker to try to release / unlock any processes the Folder / file(s) may be associated to - no joy...

    My drive is a SATA and cannot be fitted to my old PC and none of my friends has a new PC with SATA connection. I do have a second SATA drive fitted but it is nearly full with backups. I may be able to clear some space to make a boot partition to take another copy of XP and boot from that...a lot of time needed for that. I had hoped for a simpler solution.

    I am running Counterspy2, Uniblue Spyeraser and Zone Alarm Security Suite, so there should be no malware around.
     
    ddm,
    #14
  16. 2008/03/13
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi ddm. Have you tried right clicking the Norton Quarantine Folder selecting properties and taking ownership of the folder and then try to delete it? Usually with that step you sholud be able to delete a locked folder without a problem. If taking ownership of the folder then trying to delete it doesn't work then have you tried logging onto your computer using the Administrator account and then try to delete the folder? Hope this helps. :)
     
    Evan Omo,
    #15
  17. 2008/03/14
    ddm

    ddm Inactive Thread Starter

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    I tried changing the properties as user and administrator with no success, not even in safe mode.

    On advice I received on another forum, I downloaded Ubuntu 7.10 and made the CD.

    I Booted into Ubuntu and had an interesting time exploring it - all new to me.

    I Found the file manager, found the quarantine folder, and DELETED it!! No problem.

    I Rebooted into XP and checked -- IT HAS GONE:p

    I have regained 3.5GB space and learned a lot in the process - although I still don't know why I couldn't remove it under Windows.

    Many, many thanks for all the help!
     
    ddm,
    #16
  18. 2008/03/14
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Thanks for the update - glaid to hear you nailed the little blighter :)
    One word probably sums it up - Norton :D
     
    PeteC,
    #17

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