Living and Loving Norton

Millions of computers have Norton in different flavors installed. Symantec is a leader in internet security, and often bundles their software with OEMs as a "feature ". I would guess many Windows users have run into Norton at least once. The following is a guide to help you minimize Norton problems.

1. Always install Norton directly after the OS, and before you go online. When you go online, bleed Live Update (LU) and reboot whenever prompted. This can take awhile, just do it, until it pronounces you up to date at least twice in a row.
2. Unless you know specifically what you are doing, let Norton default. Do not restrict any of its online access, and do not monkey with any settings you are unsure of. A new user can safely use the "Automatic Program Control" to reduce the prompts.
3. The first advice you will ever be given about a Norton problem is uninstall reinstall. There are alternatives. First, make sure Norton really is the problem. Many times it is blamed unfairly. If you're sure it's a Norton issue, go to the live update and see if you need anything. I do not know why, but occasionally Norton gets goofy when an update requiring a reboot is in the queue. You must do a manual Live Update to get an update requiring a reboot.
4. You can try installing overtop. Sometimes that works, just be sure to go to LU again, when you finish.
5. If you must uninstall and reinstall, go offline first. Then visit LU immediately when you go online, as many times as it takes.
6. If you get fed up and decide to dump Norton, forget registry cleaners to remove the debris. Either learn to live with it, or reformat and reinstall your OS. (A clean install of Norton at that point will be painless!)
7. A Norton AV scan is not the same as an online scan by any of the major companies. By default, at 8pm on Friday, Norton will scan your computer for anything in it's database. If the bad guy slipped by in the first place, chances are Norton won't find it now. Get into a routine of doing an online scan, and disable the auto scan.
8. Norton logs are your friend. You can find out every communication your computer had, even if some teenager tried to delete his evidence. Password protect Norton for privacy, or for assurance that no one will change your chosen settings.
9. Norton can boss stubborn software. Some software wants to connect to the internet needlessly, and there is no way to control its access within itself. Norton can "make a rule ", and end that problem. (I don't need MS Word to use the net everytime I save a document, or open one!)
10. USE the email in and out scan feature. Yes, there is a pause, esp on a big file. The reason I say scan outgoing mail is because if your computer does get a malicious mass mailer of some sort, Norton will let you know right away. Of course you are scanning incoming anything, that's why you bought Norton, right?
11. If you feel Norton is a resource hog (it is!) it is time to justify a new computer. Norton is sluggish on old comps, but a new comp w/XP isn't even going to notice Norton, and you won't either.

Hope this helps someone.
Johanna

 

I totally disagree. And so do most of the Microsoft MVP's. My Pentium IV is not a screamer but it's fast enough: WinXP SP2, 4.2 MHz CPU, 512 Mb RAM, 200 Gb hard drive. It moves at a reasonable speed. But it moves better without Norton than with Norton, I can guarantee this. And with Norton I received terrible tech support... only weekly updates... and it was costly in comparison to many other alternatives. In all of these areas I'm better off with Trend Micro and most of the MVP's feel they're better off with the Professional version of AVG. And I might add that all of the options mentioned in the body of your post are available in Trend Micros' new security suite for half the cost. So... like I mentioned before... different strokes for....

 

Might make some readers question your opinion but others will probably understand that Norton is going to have a problem on a 4.2 MHz System.

 

I do not agree wtih that at all. Way, way to harsh.

Use the uninstall.

Restart Windows. ( one on the most important parts here )

Use Windows Explorer to delete any folder/files related to Symantec. If any won't delete then findout what part of Norton is still running.

Restart Windows

If you happen to have Norton Utilities use WinDoctor to help remove some of the no longer needed items. ( I use it from the CD )

Then use something such as RegSeeker to clean up the Registry. It does a pretty good job.

Then when things are cleaned up and all seems to be OK don't forget to delete the old and MAKE NEW Restore Ponts in XP. And new RB00X.cab files in 98.

In fact the above is best to do between any uninstall/reinstall of ANY software. Not just Norton.

BillyBob

 

Christer

Brings out a very good point.

Make backup BEFORE installing ANY SOFTWARE not just Norton.

With XP it is so simple that it is almost funny.

I have absolutley no knowledge of Ghost or any other type of Image.

But the IDEA is the same.

System Restore in XP can be VERY USEFUL ( if handled properly ). But it does require some THINKING and PLANNING. Left on its own I have other discriptions of it.

And the RB00X.cab files in 98 can be helpfull too. ( if they are also handled correctly ) They only get the Registry but that is a good help in cleaning.

BillyBob

 

Moot Point, but re: Johanna #6, I sure would concur with her opinion for those that didn't make a "NN" image before hand. Removing all things Norton from a System is one task I've never been able to master and that, despite several attempts on several different systems. Don't get me wrong, I can get rid of "most ", its the "all" that has proven elusive. And for those who want to try it, RegSeeker is certainly a must have pre-requisite.

 

Rockster2U

Ever run into a system where someone has installed Norton/Symantec products more than once without even ATEMPTING an uninstall first ?

You want to discuss a MESS to clean up ?

If that has been done it is a very good possibility of Johanna #6 being the best choice.

BillyBob

 

Symantec products spider very deeply into the OS, and it takes tweezers and and a magnifying glass to even uninstall under ordinary circumstances. I did a search for "manual removal" on the Symantec site and got :

Symantec has TOOLS to remove their software when add/remove fails, for just about every product they make. Hmmmm....

Only someone with determination, tenacity and an unusual amount of computer skill and free time is going to completely remove any Symantec product without wiping the drive. Then I would like to run the result past Christer or Noahdfear, and I'd put money that they would still find something "Symantec" that was missed.

Rockster is right- you may be able to get most, but you'll never get all.

Christer's method of Ghosting w/ and w/o Norton is an excellent way to do diagnostics, btw. He has solved many a Norton mystery on this BBS with the patience and skill of a brain surgeon. Me, I'm lazy. I'll reformat the drive before I'll mess with Norton. I've been very "lucky" with it (I don't break my rules!) on my own computer, but I've worked on a few that people really messed up when they started messing with Norton. The frustrating (ironic?) thing is that Norton wasn't the original problem, but their attention focused there, first.

Johanna
Hey, James- next time, go with an AMD!

 

Three's a Crowd - Norton is the last thing I install too. Have been doing it that way for quite some time and have been a pretty long term user. Thanks to Christer's posts some time ago, I also switched to doing my first Images before Norton goes onto a system and am most appreciative of that little tidbit from the "Weatherman ". Once installed, me three - everything Norton gets disabled (except some AV).

 

Yeah... I'm guilty of gross understatement. I have two computers: a Pentium IV which has a 4.2 GHz (not MHz) CPU and an AMD 3200+ (2.20 GHz). Like I said, it's not a screamer but it's fast enough for me, given the small amount of time I spend online and the limited number of things I actually do with the computer.

And I sort of want to apologize, Johanna. I didn't mean to sound like a know-it-all. Heaven knows just how little I do know. It's only been the past year that I've pulled away from Symantec and I've no call to question the wisdom of those who remain Symantec fans. All things being equal, I might find myself a year from now installing their latest offering.

 

Didn't realize Intel made a 4.2GHz P4 - Where does one buy something like that?

Answer: One can't - at least not from Intel.
They don't make any such processor.



edit: must look good paired up with one of those 106" LCD Desktop Monitors

 

James,
I have been satisfied (and lucky!) with Symantec, and Norton is on a lot of the computers I get the telephone calls for, too. It is easier for me to talk someone through software I'm comfortable with, than something unfamiliar. There are systems and situations I would not recommend Norton first.

A good example is my kids' abused elderly HP. The Norton sub ran out, and eTrust went on. Norton did bog that comp down, and since the kids are on dial up, not cable, eTrust has proved a better choice for that computer. It's lighter, just as efficient and not nearly as resource intensive.

I wrote the above for people who use Norton and aren't going to change, just to help them get the most out of it. I would never make a statement like "Norton is the best!" because it's not for every circumstance. However, if someone is using Norton, perhaps they will tear out less hair knowing some of the "tricks" of using it.

Cheers from Ohio!
Johanna

 

TonyT-
Interesting concept. Similar in Broadband with Linksys Router but too cautious to run without some Norton AV features enabled. I use OE behind Mailwasher and "knock on wood" have dodged most bullets thrown my way, but don't feel emboldened enough to rely on manual scanning. Will have to do some reading on your Courier client - again, interesting. Thanks.

 

It's a Medion (a German make). I bought it a year and a half ago at Costco of all places.