[saivstech]

I've been using NortonAntiVirus 2003 Prof Edn on Windows XP Pro SP2. Now the NAV software is about to expire this month(9feb08) and "I dont want to renew my license". Last time when I had this problem, I formatted the entire OS and reinstalled, but then I had some probs with the OS so ventured to do that but now I have so many things installed that I dont want to go thru that process once again.

So this time I dont want to do that and would rather be happy if anyone can help me out in wiping out the existing installation of NAV2003 and reinstall. I think if I uninstall and then reinstall, then its not gonna accept and would still be showing the expiry date as feb 2008. If my memory goes correct, I tried it last time about a year back. So is there any workaround???

Thanks in advance.

Saivstech

[Elvandil]

Buy a legal copy or get one of the better free versions like Avast or AVG Free. They will protect you much better than Norton and use less CPU.

[r3drock3t88]

I agree with Elvandil...

Having Norton expire is probably the best thing for yah! ... I suggest getting avast! Antivirus and a free firewall such as Comodo or Sygate Personal Firewall... I use Sygate and haven't had a problem yet! *knocks on wood*...

Good luck .

[Laurie52]

I just uninstalled my Norton 2006 90 day trial because it was going to run out next week in my new Dell ordered with WinXP Home. Eventually I will be buying a full AV program but needed a decent free one for now. Although I have used AVG 7.5 in past computers. This time decided to try AVAST in my new computer instead.

When you uninstall your Norton....be sure to read and follow all the "removal" steps to uninstall completely. As both of us have limited day trial versions, we do not have a "key" to worry about.

First download what alternative AV program you will be using after the Norton is gone. BUT Do Not open it yet.....two AV programs running together are not compatible and may interfere with the Norton removal.

Download the Norton Removal Tool. Stick this on your desktop or make a desktop shortcut. Do not open it yet.

Uninstalling steps (Taken from the Cornell University Security IT Office website. As I found it to be quite complete to remove Norton in my computer.

1. Click on Start | Settings | Control Panel
2. In the control panel double-click on Add / Remove Programs
3. Look through the list of installed programs for any item that says either "Norton" or "Symantec" or "LiveUpdate". (for example "Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition" or "Norton AntiVirus 2000")

4. For each "Norton", "Symantec", or "LiveUpdate" item, select the item and click Add / Remove. Follow the instructions, and click Yes or Yes to all when prompted.
When you are done there should be no items in the list that say "Norton", "Symantec", or "LiveUpdate".
5. Click OK to close the Add / Remove Programs window.
6. Reboot your computer if it hasn't already automatically rebooted.

7. Delete the c:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus (or c:\Program Files\Norton) folder.
8. Delete the c:\Program Files\Symantec folder.
9. Delete the c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared folder.

Between steps 6 and 7, I ran the Norton Removal Tool that took care of the Program files folders deletion along with everything else Symantec placed in my computer to run the Norton 2006.

However, I still checked my Program files/common files...just in case...found the "Symantec Shared Folder" and deleted it manually.

Checked "My Documents" and deleted the Symantec folder there too.

Closed and rebooted. Then while offline, I ran the AVAST installation program.

[Byteman]

Hi,

I've also found that some versions of Norton products configure a Scheduled Task to run a scan periodically , this is done by the software itself and I am not sure the Norton Removal Tool removes it, I recall having the poster look for and delete the Task manually in some threads.


***Anyone with Norton removal issues should read this page:

http://basconotw.mvps.org/SymRem.htm


Things to be aware of when using their Removal Tool:

***There are separate versions for the older win9x Windows versions and XP/2000/Vista


((They both are available at link below, as well as at the Symantec website ))

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Norton_Rem...NRT_d4749.html

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...&osv=&osv_lvl=

*Dont use it with any Enterprise (Corporate) versions...like 8, 9, 10



*Don't use it if you want to continue using Winfax by Symantec, the tool will remove it.

* The same goes for their ACT! program.