I am attempting to install any type of anti virus shareware on a friends computer until they can purchase a full version. I have downloaded both AVG and Nortons 30 day trial pack. Both successfully download and extract to the hard drive. However, when I click on the icons to configure/scan the software opens for a brief moment on screen and then disappears allowing me to do nothing. Anybody have any solution as to what is causing this weird thing to happen? Regards Leolady.

You are telling us you have 2 anti-virus programs installed on your computer? You should only have one installed. Also you can use AVG free addition. Not the pro trail but the free addition, it is a very good basic anti-virus. Unless you want the extra bells and whistles on the pro.

No, I do not have two anti virus software packages running. I first encountered this problem with AVG, so I removed the program from the system and attempted to reinstall it, but with the same problem. I then downloaded the Nortons 30 day trial ware and encountered the same problem again. The software installed, did its usual pre-install scan with no problems. Then when i actually click on the Nortons icon to configure and do a full system scan, the problem of the disappearing screen occurs again. And I have no idea why. It is only happening with anti-virus software.

Try this: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ See if theres anything stopping your anti-virus from starting up. Follow trends removal advice to shut down the virus. May require a little skull sweat, editing registry etc etc.... http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/ Not a full anti-virus program, but good to have. You might try getting "spy-bot search and destroy" and "ad-aware 6" freebie and run those if you cant get anti virus programs to run.

Oil_Tan, Tks - will check out the links. I have already installed Adaware 6 on his machine and this is detecting and removing spies, etc as found. I had already run housecall thru his machine and this had detected nothing at all. But might give it another go. rgds Leo.

Was norton a previous install?

Avast! free home edition is the the best FREE AV I've used....works great ...free on-line up-dates and e-mail tech support. I've used Norton, McCafee and AVG and this is the best one I've ever used....the choice is yours. The reason Norton sells so much is because they put their AV into new PC bundles and brainwash the people with advertising. Free-ware does not advertise...it's word of mouth....but sometimes FREE is better. Also, you may want to try sygate FREE home edition firewall....another awesome product I use. Happy PC'ing