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General discussion

After 10 years I'm removing Norton - Using PC-cillin ...

May 21, 2005 6:03AM PDT

... and I'm nervous what might happen when I uninstall Norton.

Don't want to use Norton Ghost. Any recommendations for best way to save, mirror, entire system? I do have an external hard drive.

FINALLY giving up on stupid Symantec. Should have done it long ago. After spending a week trying to "re-subscribe" to LiveUpdate, and finally realizing that Symantec DELIBERATELY makes it impossible in order to force you to upgrade, I said enough is enough. I've been loyal (against all recommendations) for ten years. See ya!

So ... how do I get the daggone thing off my machine without a real mess? Any recommendations?

TIA ...

Liza

Discussion is locked

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Tell more.
May 21, 2005 6:45AM PDT

Norton has so many products, and so many versions, and that matters a lot for the exact removal instructions.

If it's only Norton Antivirus, say 2002, you want to remove, you'd better try the Viruses forum. They will point you to correct page on Symantec's help site or elsewhere, I'm sure. If it's more products (like Firewall, Parental Control, System Works, you name it) you'd better try tuye Computer Help forum, in my opinion.
Without exact versions, you won't get exact answers.

And indeed, some Norton products are difficult to remove completely.

Kees

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Norton - gone!
May 21, 2005 8:18AM PDT

Feel the same about the products...a long time user. My NSW was due in June for renewal...enough is enough... bloated code, diffcult for updates, etc... GONE, I did not even wait to finish the subscrption! I also just got a few others to make the change since they needed a firewall and anti-virus...

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FWIW. . .
May 21, 2005 9:39AM PDT

I've been running Norton products since the 90s. Upgrades almost every year, bought the CDs, used the web update, used the web download, now currently running NSW 2005 downloaded from their site. Absolutely zero problems.

I hear and read about people having problems. I have also found that their machines are so hosed up with parasites and junk, nothing will work. And the weaker AV programs just mask the problems. And give a false sense of security.

Do you guys know what you're doing? Checked your machines for trash lately?

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Norton rated inferior product
May 22, 2005 2:32AM PDT

<< I've been running Norton products since the 90s. Upgrades almost every year, bought the CDs, used the web update, used the web download, now currently running NSW 2005 downloaded from their site. Absolutely zero problems. >>

You're upgrading every year. In other words, buying a new product.

I didn't want to upgrade from NAV 2003 which was (is) rated higher than 2004 or 2005. I wanted to renew my subscription. It's a scam. There is no way to renew a subscription.

<< I hear and read about people having problems. I have also found that their machines are so hosed up with parasites and junk, nothing will work. And the weaker AV programs just mask the problems. And give a false sense of security. >>

Read the cnet ratings and reviews. The experts don't like Norton. PC-cillin, which I'm going to use instead, is rated highest.

<< Do you guys know what you're doing? Checked your machines for trash lately? >>

What I'm doing is following the expert advice found on this very site. Norton is not a good product.

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Yep, I agree, Norton's not worth it ...
May 22, 2005 2:21AM PDT

<< Feel the same about the products...a long time user. My NSW was due in June for renewal...enough is enough... bloated code, diffcult for updates, etc... GONE, I did not even wait to finish the subscrption! I also just got a few others to make the change since they needed a firewall and anti-virus... >>


So, anything special I need to know to uninstall safely?

Sounds like you know what you're doing ...

Thanks again for your help.

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It's Norton AV 2003 on Win XP using Firefox ...
May 22, 2005 2:13AM PDT

... with a firewalled ethernet connection to comcast ...

As far as going to Symantec's site for uninstall help, why I can always use the uninstall help that comes with Norton AV for that.

I'm concerned (heard stories) that Symantec doesn't cover all the bases and, as you say, complete removal is difficult unless you know what you're doing.

Thanks for helping.