[Davey7549]

Recently had an opportunity to install the newest version of Norton Internet Security (2004) on a newly built system using OS Win98SE.
Norton loaded without incident and was able to download all the latest and greatest definitions.
This is when the fun began!!
After load, the shutdown time and startup time increased by more than a minute and other unexplained problems started occurring such as unusual error messages from office application and unexplained system lock-ups. Through troubleshooting isolated 2004 to be the source. Decided to uninstall and reinstall 2004 since I figured the original install might be corrupt.
Well I thought the fun began before..... How wrong I was... it really began now.
Went to add\remove programs and selected removed\uninstalled 2004 as required\suggested by Norton knowledge base and then removed\uninstalled the liveupdate portions then restarted machine as required. Upon successful restart went to reinstall 2004. It took an unusual amount of time to reinstall but did complete. Upon completion I restarted and again experienced an excessive time to boot. At this point I decided to get the new definition sets and latest updates. Well to my surprise Internet Explorer could not connect and came back with DNS error page could not be displayed. Thinking that I possibly could of damaged the TCP\IP protocol I removed the protocol for the NIC adapter and reinstalled. Restarted cable modem and router..... To my dismay I still could not connect! Removed router from equation and still could not connect. Tried pinging out and received Host not found. At this point I accessed Winipcfg, released IP address and tried to renew, Received timeout.
Here is how I finally solved the problem some 30 hours later!
1) Removed all temp files Norton created during last uninstall\reinstall.
2) Uninstalled\Reinstalled a total of 9 times following procedures laid out by Norton. Removed all registry keys related to Norton, Symantec, NIS, and NAV after each uninstall. (What a chore)
Note: There was a set of keys in the registry under Lucom that where not able to be deleted and returned an error cannot delete.
3) After uninstalling\reinstalling\uninstalling, removing reg keys, removing folders, over-installing Win98SE twice, and reinstalling Nic adapters and protocols countless times I finally was able to successfully remove 2004 enough to connect to the Internet.

Conclusion.......
Most of you on this site know I have been an advocate of Norton products forever. Since this last experience with 2004 I find that I cannot rely on this product as I used to. There are to many bugs, to bulky, and no way to completely remove the installation without mishap. Unfortunately Norton does not have added aids (Rnav2003.exe and RnisUPG.exe removal utilities for 2004) available for removal as they did with prior versions so one must rely on the uninstall process as noted by this Article
Peter...... Norton company\Symantec you have lost a staunch supporter of your software releasing this item and maybe many do not experience this problem but I certainly did and lost a great deal of time and money on this project along with a few extra grey hairs. I will be returning the OEM install disk for full refund and hope that others never experience what I just went through.
I also see there are others having severe problems and some recommendations are not to good.
Here is just one of many.

Sorry about my disillusion, frustration and rant!

Dave

PS: I am not sure at this point in time if my problems are over since I am not sure I can trust the integrity of the original installation and all of its added applications. Only time will tell. The fortunate part is none of their personal files and work will be affected. I can just pray that I do not have to format and clean install in the future inconveniencing the people that relied on me to build them a solid system!

[deuce]

Well, unfortunately you had to learn it the hard way. Have you found a suitable replacement yet? I ditched the norton long ago and went with the FREE pc-cllin that came with my motherboard, and use the BlackICE which is also reasonably inexpensive. I like the combination and would recomend it to anyone in need of ideas for an anti-virus/internet security combo.

[Davey7549]

Hey Deuce long time no here!!!

Doing any Ice\Open water fishing lately or is it all work and no play like me?

To tell the truth Norton has been a good, sound, reliable product for many years and I am sure they will work the bugs out of this one but, and this is a big but, how may customers will they loose in the interm!

They\We use Roadrunner so Roadrunner recently offered the option to download and use ETrust EZ Armor from C\A free of charge and that seems to be the way we are going at this time.

Take care

Dave

[deuce]

Yeah....I only get to pop in along little spurts. Mostly all work, but some play. And honestly, I haven't fished in years. (although I did provide security at this huge ice fishing competition up in branierd last year. )

That option you have for EZ Armor looks like a good choice.


BTW...you know who else I noticed lurking about that hasn't been around in awhile, is Angel.

[Davey7549]

Deuce
I thought RoadRunner was giving its customers a deal with EZ Armor but as it turns out it is a deal anyone can get through Feb 1 2005 from here.

ETrust EZ Armor free download

RoadRunner is making it sound as if they are offering a special deal for being a RoadRunner customer but as it turns out after the subscription expires you will be responsible for the renewal costs. Pretty much the same as other vendors except you get one year free as a leader knowing many will not switch at that point.

RoadRunner has some mouse print in their special offer to Road Runner customers section but you must click to it through the "Learn More Button" not on main download page and that reads as follows:


As you can see it is not anything special that is not offered to everyone. Also note the type and color change which makes it less noticable.
-------------------------------------------------------

Yes I did see and speak to Angel recently! I guess She is working in the forensic G-Department in Madison Wisc., and really loves the job! Good for her..... I really enjoyed working with her! One intelligent lady there!

Take care and don't be so scarce!

Dave

[Rockn]

Symantec makes great standalone products like Ghost but their AV and firewall software have been the bane of my existence for years. I refuse to install them in any work place, especially the non profits due to the older technology, and until they can trim it down and make updates free I must decline to use them. I am also a big supporter of their SARC web site and think it is the most comprehensive and best virus database out there.

[deuce]

Originally posted by Davey7549:
Take care and don't be so scarce!

Well, I do what I can with what I have. Thanks for the info on EZ Armor.

[rextilleon]

Check out AVG---its small, quiet, and really incredible--beyond that its FREE!

[deuce]

Hmmm...interesting. It's got both together. So I take you use this........how great is it? I might need to switch. Dump the BlackICE.....it's been acting wierd lately.