computer question

[frank_f15]

I have been using Norton anti virus 2003, but latey it won't let me use live update (am paid up till 2/07?) they have a work around but it is a 50 step process. It has been sugessted that i dump NORTON and get another virus protector. 2 questions. 1) will norton uninstall completly remove it (have heard that it is tough to get rid of) and 2) what is a good replacement for it? also have heard that it is best to remove one before installing the new one , is that correct?

 

[bones1]

Norton uninstall won't work.Search Google for complete uninstall info.Avast is a good and free anti-virus.

 

[dancer]

If you Google as suggested, also try the phrase "antivirus software" and read some of the links that include reviews. However, you have a small investment remaining in Symantec/Norton... If you're patient enough to stand in line to talk to their Tech Support, they'll probably give you an "out" so you don't feel like you've been burned -- maybe an uninstall process for NAV 2003 and a reduced-cost upgrade to NAV 2006? You're a current customer, man! Ride it!

 

[MrJimi]

AVG by www.grisoft.com and www.stopsign.com and if your with Comcast you can get mcAfee free.
Norton is good, I had a full subscription and very pleased with it, when it expired, I uninstalled it and I did a search on its items and deleted them. I am sure I have some left somewhere but I won't
worry about them
Jim

 

[flwiii]

I have never had a problem with Norton not uninstalling. All programs tend to leave little bits and pieces of themselves in the Registry. Symantec has a utility that will completely uninstall AntiVirus 2003 as I ran into the same problem as you with my NAV2003. They are dropping support for NAV 2003 and you can't renew a subscription for it. It seems that they may have jumped the gun and pulled the plug on the updates too. I just opted to purchase NAV 2006 and used symantec's utility to remove NAV 2003. I have to vote for AVG as a very good free AntiVirus, but remember it is only free for personal use, not in a business environment.

 

[gotrocks]

I've changed to Grisoft also. Since I "uninstalled" Norton now everytime I boot up the screen locks up with the following (see attachment). Since I am not confident messing with the registery I've put up with this for too long. A new computer is on the way. I plan to use Grisoft when it arrives. Good luck.

 

[LMTC]

Frank,
I have gone through the same c--- with Norton, and have had to have their CS intervene twice. PIA at best. I run two networked PCs for myself, one for office work, one for website management, email, surfing. The former only goes online to get software updates, but I had Norton installed on both. A month ago I gave up on the office work PC....I uninstalled Norton (and using instructions from their site I apparently got a clean & complete uninstall), installed AVG and Zone Alarm. It runs faster, less hang time on a number of things, and so far no infections. When my subscription runs out, or the next time Live Update jerks me around, I AM going to the same on this PC. Definitely do the uninstall before installing another.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

I've changed to Grisoft also. Since I "uninstalled" Norton now everytime I boot up the screen locks up with the following (see attachment). Since I am not confident messing with the registery I've put up with this for too long. A new computer is on the way. I plan to use Grisoft when it arrives. Good luck.

Norris,

Try downloading CCleaner http://www.ccleaner.com/

Like AVG, it's free, and it does a good job of cleaning up the Registry and other parts of your computer. The Registry cleaner is one of the "Issues" functions. Good luck!

 

[EddieWalker]

Frank,

I'm with MrJimi here. I had Norton and it didn't do much of anything. There was a time when it was one of the good ones, but from what I've been told, they are not keeping up with all the threats out there and they just aint what they used to be.

My system crashed a few months ago to the point we couldn't turn the computer on. First the keys stoped responding and it just got worse.

The local repair shop was able to save all our pics and word files, but we lost allot of music and video files. They said that downloading musid is the number one way to get a virus now. Used to be ****, but that's not our thing, music is. Steph downloads allot of songs. They said the viruses, or whatever they are called, are hidden in the songs. Free songs are the worse, but all music sights have the possiblity of having problems.

The guys who fixed our system recomeneded www.grisoft.com and to download there free software called AVG.

It runs a check on the system every day and downloads the latest software automatically. For free, it's working like a charm!!!!

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[Bird]

Gosh, I guess from what everyone else is saying, I need to keep my fingers crossed. I've been using Norton for so many years, I've never even tried all those others everyone seems to like so well. I'm currently using Norton's SystemWorks 2005 and Norton's Personal Firewall (turned off Windows XP firewall) and have no complaints so far.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

Norton is too intrusive to suit me, plunders around in the registry way too much. My experience, like AOL, nothing much short of "format C:/" will get rid of it all.

I have used AVG Pro Enterprise at the office and AVG Free at home for several years, had zero problems. Good product, good support. A thumb's UP.

 

[frank_f15]

I have never had a problem with Norton not uninstalling. All programs tend to leave little bits and pieces of themselves in the Registry. Symantec has a utility that will completely uninstall AntiVirus 2003 as I ran into the same problem as you with my NAV2003. They are dropping support for NAV 2003 and you can't renew a subscription for it. It seems that they may have jumped the gun and pulled the plug on the updates too. I just opted to purchase NAV 2006 and used symantec's utility to remove NAV 2003. I have to vote for AVG as a very good free AntiVirus, but remember it is only free for personal use, not in a business environment.

That uninstall utility that you mentioned, is that the uninstall that is already on my computer?

 

[PineRidge]

Dumped Norton years ago for the very same reason. Went with AVG free version and have never looked back.

 

[frank_f15]

Dumped Norton years ago for the very same reason. Went with AVG free version and have never looked back.

Just an update on my Norton problem.I decided to take the advice of a good many of you and uninstaled Norton last night and got the AVG FREE, it seems to be working just fine.

 

[Dusty]

Since 9 o'clock this morning I have been trying to update my Norton AV and nothing works. Called the customer support number, waited 1/2 hour and the tech told me what to do. Didn't work. Called back, and this time they want to charge me. Spent over 3 hours trying to get it to do a live update, but nothign works. Uninstalled it with add remove programs, ran the Norton removal tool, cleaned everything Norton from the computer, and reloaded the software. Still doesn't work. A waste of $60 for software that has more problems than it is worth. My neighbor is having problems with his paid subscription update. He can't get it to work either. Another friend has thrown his hands up in the air, and said that it isn't worth the problems and will run without any protection. What is it with Norton that they can't supply a program that isn't full of problems right out of the box? Since I downloaded the program, I can't use the Smilies on this or any other sight. I only wish that some hot shot attorney would start a class action suite against them. Even if we got nothing in the end, they would learn how many people are fed up with the product that have purchased it in good faith.
Dusty

Just realized that it has also effected the spell checker!!!!!!!

 

[1bush2hog]

I also recently had Norton uninstall/install problems when updating. I waited a LONG time to talk to some offshore Tech person who could barely speak english and was rading off of a cheat card. Called back and ended up with a similar person. The third time, I was sent a link to a free download which does uninstall the software. You will still have to manually clean the registry unless you use one of the SW's that does this. I am a little aprehensive about using a software program to clean my registry after using one a few years ago that ended up creating more problems than I had before I used it.

I never use the online subscription - I usually buy the 3 user versions to update all of my PC's.

The worst problems I ever had was when I was running McAfee - I prefer Norton over McAfee.

I may have to give the AVG a try also.

 

[JerryG]

Norton uninstall won't work.Search Google for complete uninstall info.Avast is a good and free anti-virus.

Yes, AVAST. It seems that I have tried everything and there has been a problem of some kind with them all until AVAST. I have been using it for about 2 years and haven't had a problem yet with the program or a virus.

 

[Bird]

Since 9 o'clock this morning I have been trying to update my Norton AV and nothing works. Called the customer support number, waited 1/2 hour and the tech told me what to do. Didn't work. Called back, and this time they want to charge me. Spent over 3 hours trying to get it to do a live update, but nothign works. Uninstalled it with add remove programs, ran the Norton removal tool, cleaned everything Norton from the computer, and reloaded the software. Still doesn't work. A waste of $60 for software that has more problems than it is worth. My neighbor is having problems with his paid subscription update. He can't get it to work either. Another friend has thrown his hands up in the air, and said that it isn't worth the problems and will run without any protection. What is it with Norton that they can't supply a program that isn't full of problems right out of the box? Since I downloaded the program, I can't use the Smilies on this or any other sight. I only wish that some hot shot attorney would start a class action suite against them. Even if we got nothing in the end, they would learn how many people are fed up with the product that have purchased it in good faith.
Dusty

Just realized that it has also effected the spell checker!!!!!!!

I can certainly understand anyone's frustration with computer problems because I've had enough of them myself. However, I'm running Norton SystemWorks 2005 and Norton's Personal Firewall, and I update regularly, have renewed my subscription, etc. and in fact, just now downloaded and installed a couple of updates to see if I'd have a problem, but did not. And yep, my smilies still work.

 

[Soundguy]

Even if liveupdate won't work.. you may still be able to manually update it from the liveupdate screen.. or buy downloading the virus def's in the compressed file, then moving them into the folder that liveupdate dumps them into.. then norton will process the updats like normal...

I had to do that onthe wifes cpu back when here live update decided to go on vacation... worked fine to get me thru till the subscription ran out..

Soundguy

I have been using Norton anti virus 2003, but latey it won't let me use live update (am paid up till 2/07?) they have a work around but it is a 50 step process. It has been sugessted that i dump NORTON and get another virus protector. 2 questions. 1) will norton uninstall completly remove it (have heard that it is tough to get rid of) and 2) what is a good replacement for it? also have heard that it is best to remove one before installing the new one , is that correct?

 

[escavader]

I can certainly understand anyone's frustration with computer problems because I've had enough of them myself. However, I'm running Norton SystemWorks 2005 and Norton's Personal Firewall, and I update regularly, have renewed my subscription, etc. and in fact, just now downloaded and installed a couple of updates to see if I'd have a problem, but did not. And yep, my smilies still work.

I got the same setup as BIRD with out a problem .When you look at the viruses blocked not hardly on TBN,NOT HARDLY WHEN SHOPPING HARBOR FREIGHT ,NORTHERN,kubota etc.Alot visiting e bay,or anyhting under YAHOO.Alot of my friends have lost their computers recently they all play cards on yahoo.I had my wife switch to a different home pageinstead of Yahoo,mine comes on on my threads i subscribe to onTBN cant tell wher i like to visit can you
ALAN