WIndows Registry and NIS 2004

[Mark H]

Hello,

My problem is that I cannot install Norton Internet
Security 2004 on my computer, on which I am running
Windows XP Home.

When I contacted Symantec, they instructed me to manually
edit my registry, which I did. However, NIS still would
not install. After exhausting other options, they then
suggested that it was perhaps that since NIS requires
certain Microsoft Installer files and components during
installation, and if these files are corrupt or damaged
then Norton Internet Security (NIS) prompts the error
message that I was previously encountering during the
installation.

Symantec suggested that I download the Microsoft Windows
Installer (MSI) Cleanup Utility and then proceed with the
remainder of the instructions, which I did. However, when
I was using MSI, I ran it and could not find anything
Symantec related. Furthermore, when I try to run the NIS
installer, it still does not work and I cannot install
NIS 2004

Please help me!!!

 

[SidBord]

I didn't understand what you said. Were you successful in
downloading the MSI Cleanup Utility? If so did it work OK?
I'm asking because I'm having problems with MSI
spontaneously trying to install a program I sucessfully
installed months ago. It always occurs when I'm in
Windows Explorer trying to move a file from one place to
another (I do that a lot). It also occurs when I boot. I
didn't know they have a "cleanup" utility. Maybe that's
what I need to try.

 

[CS]

Hello,

My problem is that I cannot install Norton Internet
Security 2004 on my computer, on which I am running
Windows XP Home.

When I contacted Symantec, they instructed me to manually
edit my registry, which I did. However, NIS still would
not install. After exhausting other options, they then
suggested that it was perhaps that since NIS requires
certain Microsoft Installer files and components during
installation, and if these files are corrupt or damaged
then Norton Internet Security (NIS) prompts the error
message that I was previously encountering during the
installation.

Symantec suggested that I download the Microsoft Windows
Installer (MSI) Cleanup Utility and then proceed with the
remainder of the instructions, which I did. However, when
I was using MSI, I ran it and could not find anything
Symantec related. Furthermore, when I try to run the NIS
installer, it still does not work and I cannot install
NIS 2004

Please help me!!!

Wrap up your copy of NIS 2004 and return it to Symantec for a full
refund. It's crapware. Be thankful it won't install - hopefully it
didn't do any damage to your system.

Instead get a copy of the free AVG from www.grisoft.com or free AVAST
from www.avast.com. Both are very good AV programs. For firewall
get a copy of Zone Alarm (free) or Sygate personal firewall, also
free. www.zonelabs.com, www.sysgate.com.

 

[Guest]

I didn't understand what you said. Were you successful in
downloading the MSI Cleanup Utility? If so did it work OK?

Sorry for the lack of clarity... yes I downloaded, and I ran it. The point I was trying to make was that there was no mention of anything Symantec related... the techie from Symantec gave me the impression that once I ran the MSI Cleanup ultlity, that I could clean up the broken parts of Symantec in my registry.

I'm asking because I'm having problems with MSI
spontaneously trying to install a program I sucessfully
installed months ago. It always occurs when I'm in
Windows Explorer trying to move a file from one place to
another (I do that a lot). It also occurs when I boot. I
didn't know they have a "cleanup" utility. Maybe that's
what I need to try.

No, as far sa I know that isn't happening to me.

 

[Guest]

Wrap up your copy of NIS 2004 and return it to Symantec for a full
refund. It's crapware. Be thankful it won't install - hopefully it
didn't do any damage to your system.

Although the advice is appreciated, this is the first time that I have had problems with Norton like this, and would like to solve it, before I chuck it out the door

Instead get a copy of the free AVG from www.grisoft.com or free AVAST
from www.avast.com. Both are very good AV programs. For firewall
get a copy of Zone Alarm (free) or Sygate personal firewall, also
free. www.zonelabs.com, www.sysgate.com.

Agreed.... I am using AVG and ZAlarm until this whole Norton business gets fixed.

Thanks for the advice though!

 

[R. McCarty]

I've undertaken this process a number of times. I can't guarantee it will
always work, but here goes. Don't attempt this unless you have a image
of your System partition before starting.

1. Use Add/Remove for any "Norton" branded installs.
2. Use Add/Remove for Live Update
3. Use Add/Remove for LiveReg
4. Run either RNav, RNis or SymCln (Depending on which product you
are trying to remove/cleanup remnants
5. Search "Symantec" - Should find two folders, Delete both (Assumes
your search parameters include Hidden & System files.
6. Download an Install Windows Installer Cleanup utility. Remove any
and all Symantec or Norton entries
7. Download and Install a program called RegSeeker. Use the built-in
find function, search for all instances of Symantec, when list is built
select All and delete
8. Rerun RegSeeker find use keyword "Norton", again when list is
built, select all & Delete
Reboot a final time - Make sure "Terminal Services" is running, then
retry your install.

Good Luck - It's a PITA, but it can be done.

 

[Ken Gardner]

Instead get a copy of the free AVG from www.grisoft.com or free AVAST
from www.avast.com. Both are very good AV programs. For firewall
get a copy of Zone Alarm (free) or Sygate personal firewall, also
free. www.zonelabs.com, www.sysgate.com.

I am always nervous about installing free antivirus software -- you
may get what you pay for. How committed can a company be to updating
virus definitions (or the program itself) if they aren't getting paid
for it?

Ken

 

[CS]

I am always nervous about installing free antivirus software -- you
may get what you pay for. How committed can a company be to updating
virus definitions (or the program itself) if they aren't getting paid
for it?

Ken

Both of the above mentioned free AV packages are very good as are the
free firewalls. Payware does not necessarily mean it's better. In
any event, you are free to pay as much as you like for the protection
you feel you're getting.

However, if you read this forum and many others you will see that the
free AV applications I suggested are well accepted and offer as good
as or better protection than some which are not free.

 

[Ken Gardner]

Both of the above mentioned free AV packages are very good as are the
free firewalls. Payware does not necessarily mean it's better. In
any event, you are free to pay as much as you like for the protection
you feel you're getting.

However, if you read this forum and many others you will see that the
free AV applications I suggested are well accepted and offer as good
as or better protection than some which are not free.

I hear you. In fact, I use both Ad-Aware and Spybot, both of which
are free. So I am not necessarily disagreeing with you, just
expressing a "default" prejudice I have to the effect that other
things being equal, you should assume that you are getting what you
pay for.

Is there any objective way to find out (e.g. comparative testing using
objective standards) if the free AV applications are at least as good
and up to date as, say, Norton or Trend-Micro?

Ken

 

[Hilary Karp]

I think the objective test is how many people in here use AVG, for
example, and alot do. Never have heard anything about either that says
they don't work well.