Hi Charlie, when you installed Norton 2006, how did you remove the old
version? You see, these Security Suites have to embed deeply into the system
in order to carry out the functions of protecting a system and programs
connected to the net. Due to this, Security Software is very difficult to
remove at best and impossible to remove via the Add/Remove applet in Windows,
regardless of the program being listed in Add/Remove and whatever you are
told. Norton IS notorious for some bad business practices, one which is to
make it very difficult for customers to remove their software and place
different Security software from a competiter on the system. They have also
delays in updating virus and other malware signitures which is what the
"antidote" to viruss' are called. Last I heard Norton actually only updates
monthly, which is way to infrequent. With new malware in the hundreds
emerging daily, daily updating is vital to keep systems safe. Personally, I
use Panda, but that is my own preferance.
Now, if you did not completely remove your last instance of Norton, it can
still have portions of the product program on your system, hidden away.
Special removal tools are required to completely remove Security Programs off
of a system, and while this is usual, some use two or more versions of a
removal tool for the same program depending on what the customer is needing
to do. If all you need to do is remove for some sort of maintainance, the a
complete removal in not needed, so a tool only removes what is neccasary, and
the re-installation simply installs over what was left. However, some
companies give the partial tool when the full removal tool is required for
nafarious purposes. This can (and does) leave behind entire portions of a
Security Soluction, like the firewall for instance.
If a Firewall of Anti-Virus is left installed on a system, and a different
Firewall or Anti-Virus is then installed on the same system, problems occur.
The simplist problem is conflict between the programs causing the newly
installed system to not work properly, creating a vulnerability in which the
very thing it is to keep out, is allowed in. The worst case is a complete
computer crash, which happened to me, in a five week old system.
Due to my use of Panda, I have to remove the bundled Security Suite which
usually comes pre-installed on all new systems bought from a manufacturer. I
recently performed what I thought was a complete removal of McAfee, (I
requested the full removal tool) yet without my knowlege it left behind the
entire Firewall portion of the Suite. This was creating extensive problems
with Panda and finally a phone call to the tech department at Panda had me
check my Registry and low and behold there sat the configured FireWall from
McAfee. I then went back to McAfee and obtained the full removal tool, via
the chat forum, which cleaned out the FireWall from my system and fixed the
issues Panda was experiancing.
I am sorry to have to tell you this but you are indeed going to have to do
even more than what Malke instructed. You will need to perform all the steps
to remove the possible malware. Once it is removed you will need to shut off
your System Restore, reboot and then turn System Restore back on. This makes
sure any Virus or other malware is not hidden away on a previous Restore
Point, just waiting to re-infect your system.
Once you have rid your system of all malware, you need to contact Norton and
insist on two (2) Security Suite Removal Tools, and the FULL tool, not a
partial tool. One for the old version and one for the new version. First
remove the new version, then run the tool for the old version. Once you have
ensured your system is clear of all Security Program modules from these
programs you can then install your 2006 Suite, though I strongly reccomend
you reavaluate your choice. That is up to you, but Norton is not really a
good choice for anyone. Just the monthly update is bad enough all by itself,
but there are many other issues from Norton, one being the lack of any free
tech support. Panda Internet Suite 2007 has a three system license and 24/7
free tech support and DAILY UPDATES. I am not pushing Panda, just using it as
a desription of how different it is from Norton. The only negitive thing I
know about McAfee is they update weekly, unless my information is not
correct.
This is a large task in front of you. However, if you don't look at the
largeness of it, but take it one step at a time, you will soon be finished
and have your system back in a healthy state. Don't get discouraged by how
much it seems you need to do. Follow Malke instructions and links one by one
and you will be fine.
Good luck and a great day too!
