About a week ago, for no apparent reason, Norton Systemworks 2005 decided that my subscription was expired (I just got the program... maybe a month ago). In order to keep using, I had to activate, which I had already done. So I enter in my activation code, and begin using the program again. Now, however, I can't do anything to the program. When I start up my computer, it *apparently* starts up - I see it's icon in the system tray. However, I can't open up the program from anywhere - there, the start menu, anywhere. When I attempt to, the computer appears to think for a moment, and then does nothing. I also can't uninstall, so that I can try to reinstall, because when I go into Add/Remove programs and attempt to remove Norton Internet Security 2005, I get a Setup Error saying "A Symantec product installer is already running." This, however, is not true - no other Symantec product installer is running. What's worse about this problem is that for some reason, it won't allow me to access certain webpages that require signing into. For example, Hotmail, or another web-based email site I use, webmail.vfs.com. I get an alert saying "The connection was refused when attempting to contact _______" when I try to access these sites. The only way I can get to them is if, in msconfig, I disable ccapp.exe from starting up, and then restart my computer. Norton then does not start up, allowing me to do whatever I want, albeit without any antivirus protection. For about two startups, this problem wouldn't be permanent - Norton would allow me to access itself after several hours of having my computer on. It would just suddenly pop open. Not knowing the full extent of what was going on (and that I should have uninstalled and then reinstalled at the time) I thought that the problem was then gone, but of course only reoccurred after restarting. Now, however, after leaving my computer on for quite some time in the hopes that it would open on its own again, it hasn't happened. I believe the last time the program opened on it's own, I was busy playing a game (World of Warcraft) and it interrupted me. Being a little impatient at the time, I right clicked the system tray icon and chose to "Log off." Maybe now it's *keeping* me logged off, or something? I don't know. I've checked msconfig's Startup and Services tabs, and everything that needs to be checked for Norton to work correctly (supposedly anyway) is definitely checked. I have also tried unchecking ccapp.exe, restarting, and attempting to uninstall then, with no success. I also can't simply delete the files in my Program Files folder. I'm at a loss. The program doesn't work, but I can't delete it. And it's interfering with my ability to use other programs fully. I hope there is some way to get this program out, so that I can reinstall, without doing a system wipe. I have too much valuable information to be able to store it all elsewhere, even on burned dvds. Anyone have any ideas?

Loren, SWAG, try using 'Windows explorer' and see if you can get to the Norton's folder(Symantec?), can't recall the proper name of the folder. Anyway, see if there's an uninstall.exe (may be called unwise). Sometimes we can have a corrupt copy of something and it can be cleaned up if we uninstall/reinstall with a fresh download as opposed to the corrupt copy? HTH. Ed in Texas.

When your computer has booted up, rather than looking at the system tray icons, press ctrl-alt-del and look at the processes tab. end the process of anything running to do with norton. ccapp is one. then try uninstalling from add/remove programs. if that doesnt work go to start>run and type msconfig and hit enter. look at the startup tab and uncheck anything that points to a norton program. reboot and try and remove it again.

Take a look here: http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039?Open&src=&docid=2004080615204307&nsf=tsgeninfo.nsf&view=docid&dtype=∏=&ver=&osv=&osv_lvl= this should do the job. Scroll down the page a little and look for the 'SymNRT.exe' download. Or Google 'SymNRT.exe' (the Symantec Norton Removal Tool). HTH M

I had similar trouble with Norton Antivirus 2004. It wouldn't allow me to register the software I purchased from them and then I couldn't uninstall it either. I wasted hours trying to resolve the issue. I'm using Trend Micro on all my computers now.

Hi ther Norton do a removal tool . I had the same problem . I use AVG pro. Good luck

Thank you for pointing me in the direction of the SymNRT.exe file. It worked, and I was able to delete everything Norton from my computer. Now I have run into something else. I have reinstalled Norton Systemworks, but it continues to be unresponsive when I try to open the program. I have used SymNRT.exe several times to do a complete reinstall, but the program will not open on my computer, meaning I can't even get to the activation stage. What could possibly cause this? At worst, if no one can think of a way to fix this I'll need to get a new Antivirus program of some kind. But I've used Norton for years, and it would be nice to be able to keep using it :P I also realize that it's not likely anyone's exactly a Norton technician or anything, so I'll try to get help from their website as well, but I thought it might still be worth asking here. Thanks, everyone, so much for the help I've already gotten. The problem is definitely better than it was.