Norton AntiVirus problem
Posted by: DJH on 05 October 2004
I have been running Norton utilities and Norton AntiVirus for about three years now on my PC (Windows ME) without problems - until now. Yesterday I tried to defragment the hard disc, and the programme could not complete - I let it run all night(!), and ended up with a message that there was a problem with the antivirus software. So I deinstalled the Norton AntiVirus, and managed to successfully defragment the hard disc. However, I cannot now reinstall Norton AntiVirus - the reinstall fails about half way through (even after a successful prescan of all files on my PC). Does anyone know what the problem might be? The only thing I can think of is that I now also have SpyBot immunisation running in the background - but I have run defragments recently without a problem. This is something I need to solve, because I currently have no firewall or antivirus running!
DJH,
I remain constantly amused by the number of people on this forum who, when a bit of PC hardware or software goes pear-shaped proffer the solution to switch to something else! These are, of course, the same people who would never dream of doing such a thing if the same happened to their Naim equipment (although the favoured solution from these sort of people is almost inevitably "upgrade"). Kind of makes you wonder whether they ever solve any problems in their lives. After all, what happens when a new product goes pear-shaped (and most do at some point for whatever reason)?
So, some practical advice
a) if you're on this forum then you are either going commando or on another PC. Don't bother trying to contact Symantec direct as you could wait eons for a response and the phone calls cost big-style if you are ever lucky enough to get through. Even better, they typify the kind of response whereby you run through your system and they identify the problem as being something else whilst totally disregarding the fact that all has co-existed fine previously. Generally, the consistency of their products is undermined by their poor quality customer support IMHO
b) check out their faqs. There is some simple stuff you could try there that does actually work. I had what I thought was the most odd problem with NAV 2002 a few months back. Took me no more than 30 seconds to solve after a look at their faq and it really was quite an obscure issue.
c) I would also try various newsgroups. A basic search around NAV installation issues will likely yield up plenty of responses and offer clues.
d) The presenting problem is rarely the underlying issue. Have you looked at going back via a restore point; running system file checker; generally overhauling your OS. I would also check your hardware. If an installation fails consistently at the same point that is often an indicator of a hardware/resource problem i.e. NAV installation can't have something that it wants e.g. a portion of memory and so on.
Never rule out the blindingly obvious.
I can't guarantee that any of the above will work but, if they do, then you will have saved money; learned a little something and be immensely self-satisfied.
Good luck.
Mike
PS: For what it's worth, I suspect the OS may be at fault here.
I remain constantly amused by the number of people on this forum who, when a bit of PC hardware or software goes pear-shaped proffer the solution to switch to something else! These are, of course, the same people who would never dream of doing such a thing if the same happened to their Naim equipment (although the favoured solution from these sort of people is almost inevitably "upgrade"). Kind of makes you wonder whether they ever solve any problems in their lives. After all, what happens when a new product goes pear-shaped (and most do at some point for whatever reason)?
So, some practical advice
a) if you're on this forum then you are either going commando or on another PC. Don't bother trying to contact Symantec direct as you could wait eons for a response and the phone calls cost big-style if you are ever lucky enough to get through. Even better, they typify the kind of response whereby you run through your system and they identify the problem as being something else whilst totally disregarding the fact that all has co-existed fine previously. Generally, the consistency of their products is undermined by their poor quality customer support IMHO
b) check out their faqs. There is some simple stuff you could try there that does actually work. I had what I thought was the most odd problem with NAV 2002 a few months back. Took me no more than 30 seconds to solve after a look at their faq and it really was quite an obscure issue.
c) I would also try various newsgroups. A basic search around NAV installation issues will likely yield up plenty of responses and offer clues.
d) The presenting problem is rarely the underlying issue. Have you looked at going back via a restore point; running system file checker; generally overhauling your OS. I would also check your hardware. If an installation fails consistently at the same point that is often an indicator of a hardware/resource problem i.e. NAV installation can't have something that it wants e.g. a portion of memory and so on.
Never rule out the blindingly obvious.
I can't guarantee that any of the above will work but, if they do, then you will have saved money; learned a little something and be immensely self-satisfied.
Good luck.
Mike
PS: For what it's worth, I suspect the OS may be at fault here.
In view of Mike Hughes's objective and erudite analysis above, I feel I have no alternative but to withdraw my my previous recommendation to try NOD32.
I'm sure you wouldn't benefit at all from the performance improvement, lower renewal costs and clear straightforward user interface. Much better to pursue self-fulfilment through persevering with NAV.
Thats the obvious way to go and I'm sorry I didn't spot it in the first place
Oh! and whatever you do, dont even think about upgrading your Windows ME to XP - total waste of time and money
I'm sure you wouldn't benefit at all from the performance improvement, lower renewal costs and clear straightforward user interface. Much better to pursue self-fulfilment through persevering with NAV.
Thats the obvious way to go and I'm sorry I didn't spot it in the first place
Oh! and whatever you do, dont even think about upgrading your Windows ME to XP - total waste of time and money
quote:
I'm sure you wouldn't benefit at all from the performance improvement, lower renewal costs and clear straightforward user interface. Much better to pursue self-fulfilment through persevering with NAV.
I agree, I didn't benefit from it by such a large amount I coughed up my hard-earned for 3 years worth of NOD32 updates
Seriously though NAV has let me down too many times in the past and has such a performance overhead I'm glad to see the back of it, by all means fix the current NAV problem, but give serious consideration to NOD32 at your next renewal. There's a free 30day trial from their website.
Andy.