Hi! Norton Internet Security 2004 (which includes NAV) Live Update stopped working right on my parent's PC, couldn't be remedied, and I decided it was time to get rid of the beast as I had long meant to anyway, and put on AVG and one of the reputable free firewalls. Knowing that for some tricky programs it's best to stop its services before uninstalling (e.g. zone alarm), I turned off all norton in msconfig and rebooted. That's apparently what caused my problem to begin -- guess norton services need to be left on to start an uninstall. It wouldn't uninstall, and only later did I see at the symantec site that the error message I was getting is often caused by services being stopped when uninstalling this product: "Error: A Norton Internet Security account with Supervisor access must be logged in... when uninstalling Norton Internet Security..." (Which was not accurate since I was logged on as sup/admin.) I did manage to uninstall most lesser, "peripheral" norton components using Reg Cleaner free. Then, feeling fed up, I decided to be hasty (and insane?) and assume I could uninstall the primary parts by picking what I needed to out of Windows Explorer and the registry. After awhile it hit me how stoopid that was, since norton is so notorious for leaving leftovers that interfere with future security progs even when uninstalled properly. And, I saw that if I had checked symantec's site after first getting the error I could probably have gone forward with the uninstall. But *now* what do I do?? According to options at the symantec site for uninstalling a *normal* copy of norton (which I obviously no longer have) after getting that error, the choices are: make sure all services start and you are recognized as being logged on as supervisor, then proceed; or, run their uninstall tool from the site then reinstall (that last part I don't get, why would someone want to reinstall when uninstalling was what they were doing in the first place? It did *not* go on to say you should then attempt a smooth uninstall again or anything, that was the end). All the norton pieces from my manual picking through Windows Explorer are still in the recycle bin; there's a backup in Reg Cleaner of the peripheral components (I *assume*); and I did back up the registry before I picked through that. But I can't imagine that norton would come back as a cohesive program if I restore all those things individually now...? And no by the way, I was not going from any instructions on what to remove manually from either area, I was indeed just guessing. But I have, miraculously perhaps, successfully edited registries many times by guessing... What is my best course of action now (please don't say reformat!!)? Might the norton removal tool work to remove whatever I missed, even tho so much is missing now, possibly including stuff other progs still need? FYI, I do still have the installation CDs. Thanks for any help! Have not noticed any problems with the PC (yet?), but even if I get lucky there, I assume the chances are pretty high that when I try to put on AVG, etc. there will be problems...

nis 2004 was probably symantec's worst product as yet (not that the more recent programs are much better). and no, no known removal tool works to 100% staisfaction. if you want to try those tools, well, ask mr. google, he knows them all. if you want peace of mind, then 'reformat' is your best bet. a clean re-installation is faster and more efficient than messing around with various removal tools, registry fixes, etc. and the outcome is unknown. Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.' icq 10183575

Other than a format and reinstall the best way is to reinstall all Norton crap, do an uninstall, run all the Symantec tools, then run at least 2 good registry cleaners like crap cleaner, then do a registry search for all the symantec crap. Norton, Symantec, liveupdate,cclient, etc. http://computervitals.com/

per, we've been there and done that :-) sure, just for occupational curiousity i'd sit down and try to fix (those b---tards won't get the upper hand on me, right? :-), and yes, it can be done! but will it be as good as a clean installed system? no way, josé ... maybe close but not as good. and how much time we spent? was it worth it? :-) Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.' icq 10183575

Hi folks, thanks so much! In the last few years I have developed a fascination (addiction) to tinkering with computers, going from clueless idiot to pretty damn good at some stuff. But admittedly, A] "a little knowledge can be a dangerous thang"; and B] if I've so far never confronted reformatting (instead of putting in those countless hours going around the edges another way), I probably shouldn't claim I'm pretty damn good. ;-) I don't know why a reformat seems sooo overwhelming to me, and surely I can't avoid doing one forever. But I must say, um, that since I can always try that second if it starts to look necessary, this wimp is probably gonna go with wimping out (trying a fix the long way) one more time! Will report back, and continue checking this thread during. Thanks again!

Yeh, Mattie, many hours trying to find the literally thousands of registry entries. As you say, it takes less time and a much better result to format and start anew.:>) http://computervitals.com/

installing xp is nothing to be scared of ... tons of great guides out there. tools like nLite allow you to create yourself a xp installation cd tailored to your needs, slipstream all service packs, updates, drivers and it will run unattended. other stuff like ghost is not only a life saver, it also makes you feel more comfortable :-) sure a well maintained system can go literally 'forever' (using a xp machine as a file/print/connection server here in my small network wich has an immaculate track record regarding uptime) but this is rather the exception than the rule. and then there is that machine i'm using for my daily experimantal screw-ups (and this baby has to take a lot, believe you me :-) which wouldn't last a week or two without ghost (thank god for the small mercies :-) Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.' icq 10183575