Can't remove Symantec, tried tool, reinstall entire system?

[Guest]

Hello all,

I searched through all the advice on removing Symantec products from your
computer and got as far as the all powerful removal tool. It didn't work
because the system could not find the file containing 'symantec antivirus
client'. I fear that it has been corrupted somehow over time. All i want to
do is install my new antivirus software but it won't let me because of the
symantec stuff already there.

Would a complete system reinstallation help? And to do so, do i just stick
the system CDs into the computer and let it do it's thing. (after backing
everything up)

Any help would be great. think i want to reinstall anyway just to speed
things up. Will this mean re-downloading skype, tabbed version of explorer
etc etc?

 

[Bruce A. Johnson]

Hello all,

I searched through all the advice on removing Symantec products from
your computer and got as far as the all powerful removal tool. It
didn't work because the system could not find the file containing
'symantec antivirus client'. I fear that it has been corrupted
somehow over time. All i want to do is install my new antivirus
software but it won't let me because of the symantec stuff already
there.

Would a complete system reinstallation help? And to do so, do i just
stick the system CDs into the computer and let it do it's thing.
(after backing everything up)

Any help would be great. think i want to reinstall anyway just to
speed things up. Will this mean re-downloading skype, tabbed version
of explorer etc etc?

Reinstalling Windows will help, but only if Symantec/Norton isn't
installed automatically by the restore software supplied by your computer
manufacturer.

I've unfortunately had some experience removing Symantec products from
client's computers. I say "unfortunately", because it's a pain in the
butt to do, if you haven't done it before. Symantec REALLY don't want you
to be able to completely get rid of their software once you install it.

After using the Add/Remove Programs to remove all Symantec/Norton
products, then you need to search both your hard drive and the Windows
Registry, and delete every trace of Symantec/Norton.

This is not something for the non-techie to try. I don't recommend to
anyone who is not a computer professional to edit the Windows Registry.
You really have to know what you are doing to do it correctly without
messing things up.

If your computer did not come with Symantec/Norton installed, then the
best bet is to reinstall Windows. After you back up ALL your data, of
course.

How you reinstall Windows will depend on what make your computer is, so
details on that will vary. Check your computer manufacturer help files on
the computer, or on their website for details.

Once Windows XP is reinstalled, then you SHOULD update it through the
Internet using Microsoft Update:
http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/
Which will take a long time, and many visits to the MS Update site.

AutoPatcher will work also, which is a big download, but will install all
the updates at once:
http://www.autopatcher.com/
but I would NOT recommend using it to update IE7 (the latest version of
Internet Explorer, with the tabbed browsing), because there is currently a
problem with that part of AutoPatcher. Install IE7 using the MS Update
site.

You will also have to re-install all the other programs that did not come
with your computer when you bought it, and configure them.

--
- Yesterday it worked
- Today it is not working
- Windows is like that
- -- Haiku by Margaret Segall
-
- Bruce A. Johnson in Hardisty, Alberta, Canada
- E-mail: (e-mail address removed)
- Web: http://BruceJohnson.ca

 

[Ron Martell]

Hello all,

I searched through all the advice on removing Symantec products from your
computer and got as far as the all powerful removal tool. It didn't work
because the system could not find the file containing 'symantec antivirus
client'. I fear that it has been corrupted somehow over time. All i want to
do is install my new antivirus software but it won't let me because of the
symantec stuff already there.

Would a complete system reinstallation help? And to do so, do i just stick
the system CDs into the computer and let it do it's thing. (after backing
everything up)

Any help would be great. think i want to reinstall anyway just to speed
things up. Will this mean re-downloading skype, tabbed version of explorer
etc etc?

Which "all powerful removal tool" did you try? This one?
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...6&nsf=tsgeninfo.nsf&view=docid&dtype=&prod=&v

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."