Yesterday morning I went to live update and updated my virus definitions. Last night upon booting up my Pentium III 750MHZ running Windows Me . I recieved the following error a blue screen with the error message in a red box "Unable to Initialize Virus Scanning Data Base" I also recieved another error box that named a missing .dll file . I believe it was n32user\.dll. I tried reinstalling my Norton Anti-Virus several times off the CD that came with my PC. A OEM version of Norton Anti-Virus 2000. I tried a system restore also , no joy. Then I went to symantecs web site and downloaded a application called the Hawkins Tool.exe ,that claims to repair this problem. After download , the tool would not run. I tried double clicking it,right clicking on it and clicking open. Nothing would happen. I went into Windows Explorer and all of my virus definitions are still there some 40MB's worth. My subscription with Norton is still active. I also have Norton Uilities 2001,system check , it found a couple of errors and repaired them. Still recieving the same error. I have a rescue set on floppy, have no idea how to use it to install the Norton Program off of the recue set. Why is reinstalling Norton not replacing any missing files ,that are preventing the system from finding the virus definitions ? Please help, frustrated Nick

It sounds like you have a virus that is attacking your antivirus software. Try the online virus scan from Symantec to determine what virus it is. Just guessing, but it is probably the KLEZ, since it is really going around right now. You could do a search for files named winkxxx.exe. You should really determine exactly waht it is, so you can use the specific removal tools and instructions. Make sure to clear out SYSTEM RESTORE properly, or it will keep coming back. The best removal instructions/tools are at the Symantec site. All the best!

Thanks for the advice ! I downloaded the Klez removal tool and after it finished its scan it informed me that it did not find the Klez virus on my ststem. Thats the frist time I actually wished I had a virus , so at least I would know what the problem is ! Take Care , Still Frustrated Nick

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling Norton Anti-Virus and still Iam recieving this same error. Iam totally confused as to why it keeps telling me it is unable to find the virus definitions when I can find them is a few seconds in Windows Explorer. Even more frustrated,Nick

Try an online virus scan from... http://housecall.antivirus.com It's free and will eliminate the 61,000 odd viruses out there. Don't mess with the PC while it is downloading the program or doing the scan.

micheal2, Thank You , I took note of the site and will give it a try. Actually Iam beginning to think the live update I installed from Norton Yesterday is the root of my problem. I installed some new thing called the intelligent updater. Now Norton wants me to upgrade to a more current version for almost $50 bucks . I have 168 days B/4 my subscription expires.

I finally fixed the problem and for those that come accross the same situation here's how I did it . Also I think it make have been the software update I downloaded from symantec not the intelligent updater I previously thought was the culprit. I kept trying to reinstall Norton over the existing application. I found that by making sure you uninstall the entire program including the virus definitions and removing any mention of it in the registry. I was able to install it successfuly, I then went to live update and downloaded the virus definitions again . I selected all updates except the software update . Whala , all is good again. Thanks to those who offered their help ,Nick