Norton Anti-Virus is a POS! I've been with them since my First Computer!

[KoKo]

I've trusted them...never having a "virus or a worm or downtime all these years...and I've been everyplace on the WEB...EXCEPT PORN SITES! I don't do that stuff.

BUT...my subscription for "Norton 2005" ran out and I tried three times to RENUE my SUBSCRIPTION and was thrown out of Norton's Site for Credit Card Info., etc.

I went over to "Office Depot" and BOUGHT the 2006 VERSION!

It's been a NIGHTMARE! I installed their CD (and was told by Norton to ignore that the CD said it was Norton 2005 the version that I HAD but couldn't renew the "SUBSCRIPTION" for...and that just to "go ahead and ignore that it was 2005 (which I already had but just needed the UPDATE~~)

I was NOT TOLD in the "download" I needed to "remove my old Norton from '05" and so I went ahead until the whole thing CRASHED. So, knowing past stuff I went back and DELETED my old Norton from 2005 and then put the NEW CD back in and proceeded with the upgrade.

I got it installed with MAJOR GLITCHES AND END RUNS..BUT IT WAS OKAY....UNTIL..."TODAY' when I see that little sucker with the box and antennae dowloading my latest "new virus definitions" and got the message that my NORTON HAD CRASHED and that because I use Windows ME...I'm no longer a part of Microsoft's Network and the $39.00 I just paid for an "UpGRADE" is NO LONGER VALID!!!!

What the hell do I do NOW! ????

[DS1]

1. Does the box say 2005 supports Windows ME?

doubt it.

[KoKo]

10. YES...IT DOES...I checked that before I bought it......n/t

[Cleita]

2. Norton was good when Dr. Norton had the company.

But it's owned by someone else now. I had problems too and switched to McAfee. So far so good.

[MoonRiver]

15. We switched to McAfee also.

Norton was driving my husband crazy. Can't remember why now.

[salvorhardin]

3. AVG Free

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5

[Duer 157099]

9. 2nd that

dumped Norton for AVG free too

[TahitiNut]

19. 3rd that.

:thumbsup: Symantec ruined Norton software. Hoggish. Ill-behaved.

[uppityperson]

22. 4th that.

[prairierose]

25. A 5th vote for AVG

I've been using this for several years. Since my "lifetime" subscription to Norton ran out actually.... Never had any problems but I sure know many people who have problems with Norton.

[MADem]

32. And it's GOOD, too

I have a separate spyware program, and a popup blocker, but AVG has done the trick for years, now.

[catmandu57]

47. Sixth vote

I use their free version if I knew how to convert to euros I'd buy their professional.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

4. Sorry about your experience...........

I hated Norton. So I dumped it and got AVG Free. I have had zero problems with it.

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

Hope that helps.

[uppityperson]

5. I just dumped them after they almost took my computer out of service

had a virus attack it, norton deleted it over and over and over and over and over and made backup copies each time. I watched my available disc space drop and drop and drop and had to do an emergency shutoff, start in safe mode (got it shut off with enough space left to reload it in safe), dumped norton antivirus and the brazillion backup files, actually only about 3000. Now it has an adware problem but at least it works.

[KoKo]

12. I've been Online only since 1996...but never had any problem with Norton

and I'm all over the web on the mostest "subversive" political sites....and NEVER had a problem with my computer crashing...viruses or worms or any of that crap.

I'm NOT Computer Literate...I don't even UNDERSTAND HTML! It was easy to use...and seemed to do the job. I have my "SCAN" set to run ONCE A WEEK and I also got tips from DU'ers to use Adaware and SpyBot...and I run them every two weeks.

I'm what folks would call a "clueless" Computer person but SAVVY in an INTUITIVE WAY.

Still...this Norton thing has thrown me for a loop...I don't know what the hell to do with this???

[AndyA]

6. I finally had to dump Norton

It slowed down my computer too much, and sometimes after an update would block cookies to perfectly innocent sites, because they had an ad or something on the page.

I got Trend PC-cillin, and I LOVE IT! My computer doesn't slow down the way it did with Norton, and I feel like I have much better protection.

Sorry, I don't know how to solve your problem, but this is how I solved mine.

Good luck to you, computer problems can be so frustrating!

[KoKo]

16. Thanks! tips for stuff from DU'ers is what's kept this clueless DU'er

going... do you have a link to what you are using so I can check them out? Thanks if you do! :-)'s

[Spazito]

26. I have PC-cillin too and love it also!

I have never had a problem either with the program or viruses, etc. It is the best protection on the market, imo.

[Junkdrawer]

7. Avast (IMHO: The best) is Free for home use....

http://www.avast.com/index.html

It's on all my machines, runs like a top, was easy to install and I haven't got a virus (knock on wood) since I installed it.

BTW: I got the tip from a co-worker who also was using Norton Anti-Virus...

[KoKo]

17. Thanks! I will check the site out! .......n/t

[Cassandra]

35. I have Avast, too...

after getting rid of Norton along with my old machine. The nice young man who built my computer recommended it and it seems to work well. My email is so much faster without Norton.

[ixion]

8. I would call Norton

and let them know your mind.

You may also be able to take the CD back, although that's a bit of a long shot.

Sorry to hear you're having trouble.

[napi21]

11. Call Them! Here's the number.

1-877-832-2810

I got this number from my cable company. At the time they were blaming their problems on Norton, which was wrong, BTW.

It's a help line and they should be able to straighten things out for you.

[KoKo]

24. Thanks! It's in my booklet....so maybe I should have called before Rant

but still, I'm such a Long Time user of Norton and we use it for our small Business that I'm reluctant to take it off ALL our computers..but obviously their Microsoft Friendly Model...seems to be a question.

:shrug:

[napi21]

28. I had a problem (MY fault) with Norton too.

My older computer crashed, and I bought a new one. Had to install all the stuff from the old one, like printer, scanner, download my email address book, and all my favorites. (Yes, I had a warning and I saved the email addresses and favorites to disk.) Then I installed the old HD into the new computer as a second. I tried to install the Norton from the CD and obviously did something wrong, and did a bunch of other dumb things too. Anyway, I called them, and it a few minutes, we got it all cleared up and all is fine!

Dumb things happen with computers. Sometimes our fault, and sometimes not.

Just call them. I think you'll be satisfied.

[Poll_Blind]

13. A/V makers have their share of problems but it's ME that's hosing you...

...right now. Did you check the box to see if the version of the software worked under ME? Just so you know, ME is the worst and I mean worst operating system Microsoft ever released and likely will ever release. It's bad on so many levels it's not even funny.

And when I say "bad" I mean it just doesn't work under quite the same paradigm as all the other Windows operating systems (though it has more in common with, say, Windows 98/SE than it does Windows 2000/XP). It was meant to be sort of a bridge from Windows 98-based operating systems to the more robust and *nix-based NT/2000/XP. However, it was a mamzer, a bastard from a forbidden union which should never should have made it into the shrink-wrap.

Ever.

PB

[hobbit709]

20. I agree with that

ME is a POS. Anytime I get a computer with ME on it, I recommend trashing it and either loading 98SE or 2000. Hell, I even tell people I'll do it for free so that I don't have to screw with ME.

[salvorhardin]

45. NT/2000/XP are not *nix based

It's actually based on DEC VMS. Dave Cutler worked for DEC back in the 80s on porting VMS to an Intel based platform. That project was cancelled and Cutler was later hired by Microsoft to port VMS concepts into the OS that became Windows NT and then Win 2000 and XP. This is seen most clearly in the Windows permissions controls which are based on Access Control Lists like VMS versus the *nix filelevel permissions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Cutler

As for ME, I have no idea where that came from. I suspect it was either conjured up in some dark Satanic ritual or a cosmic joke played on Gates by aliens.

[dave502d]

14. Get Defender Pro.n/t

[Jamison]

18. Regular Norton Anti-Virus is not that good.

I had a friend in the IT industry get me a copy of Symantec's (basically Norton) Anti-Virus Corporate Edition. This is what a lot of big companies use on their workstations. You don't need to renew a subscription for this version and it's a lot more effective than consumer home edition AV's.

[ThoughtCriminal]

21. The subscription system is a nightmare

I gave up on them last year. I don't know what planet they live on, but when I buy a one year subscription, I assume that is one Earth Year (365 Earth days). Norton seems to think that I work on Venus.

[KoKo]

27. Thanks for speaking the Truth about this.............I'm one of those

"loyal oldies" that is bailing out... and I always used the "Helpstuff for free" that they advertised...but, obviously their "Business Model" and CNBC FRONTLINE PRESENCE...seemed to outway their "original" bedrock and basic folks...who subscribed to them ...and had been "USERS" for Years.

:-( I'm really upset about this...as you folks can tell.

[Cassandra]

46. Having had to let a subscription run out...

(because they no longer serviced version 2002 or Windows 98) I can tell you that they keep prompting you until the very last minute. It gets quite annoying when you can't renew. But yes, their early warnings make you think that you have to renew immediately, and I think if you do you lose some time on your previous subscription, which is probably the point. Now that I have Avast, my computer runs more quickly in a number of areas.

[Warpy]

23. I've been able to renew online several times

and have even been granted extra months on my subscription when the system crashed and I had to reformat and repartition the hard drive.

I do know what you mean, though. I've had the horrors from more than one web site. Ebay is particularly bad, and I find I have to reregister nearly every time I bid on something.

[KoKo]

30. How did you DO IT? They don't even seem to remember WHO I AM?

They asked me for my "e-mail address" and then they "denied it" and so when I put in our small business company (thinking that maybe I'd registered my software with them under "another address" they THEN REGECTED THAT ONE! I put in different combinations and all were "REJECTED" by Norton.....

In fact they kept giving me "ALERTS" that my Microsoft IE needed to be UPDATED since I hadn't used in since 2004...or some such...

I USE "Netscape 7.0 Exclusively and EARTHLINK for my ISP/Browser....this Microsoft CRAP just made me sick to my stomach...:puke:

[Warpy]

36. Dunno, I just have different websites

that pick on me, I guess.

I'm sure we've all got at least one horror story about a website out there somewhere.

[KoKo]

38. I had Never Had PROBLEM with Norton....until this latest upgrade...and

I was willing to go with the "Globiliztion Deal" thinking that Bushies were pressuring them...but figured "LONG TERM LOYALTY" would TRIUMPH over BUSHIEs.

Still...my newest Download says "Norton Anti-Virus 2005" which was the very subscription rate they wouldn't let me renew...so I went and BOUGHT their 2006...thinking it would help our "small business" (that Bushie likes to promote, every time he has a chance) and......that I could renew it on my "Home Computers."

BUT "NO!" THEY wouldn't deal with this ..even though I "PAID" for their NEW PROGRAM "off the shelf!"

The caution that I couldn't DOWNLOAD (which I over-road) UNLESS I "upgraded" my old "IE" program from before IE 5.5......was the FIRST AFFRONT...and all attempts after might have been my "cluelessness" or a "Concerted Effort" by Microsoft/Norton to make me succumb to THEIR RULES...instead of my BYPASSING THEM...for FREE WARE! that might be BETTER! :shrug:

[Libby2]

29. I hate Norton's

Freaking resource hog from hell.
I also use AVG.

[slaveplanet]

31. AntiVIR

my IT pro friend said to run AntiVIR instead of norton... Its free and updates daily http://www.free-av.com/

[KoKo]

37. I've been getting great posts here on DU for "freebieware" but ...in the

End...does it really protect you like the "Commercial Products" can and do?

although, I've gotta' say that the help from DU'ers to download "ADAWARE" and "Spybot.com" have been WORTH THE EFFORT in keeping my computer both Ad and SpyWare free.......

Even our "small business" who had to bring in a "PAID CONSULTANT" noticed that they Recommended AdaWare and Spybot as the best "foil" against "Evil Forces."

When I asked the "Techie" a question: "How do "I" know that these "freebie components" aren't as BAD as the Bushies for "monitoring me"...

He replied...hesitantly..(In my humble opinion "IMHO") that we need to "trust folks" better. :shrug:

[catmandu57]

49. Antivir is great

try it anyway it's free what can it hurt? I love it and intend to purchase their professional model when I can.
I had computer problems last year, a really bad infection, I was trying everything, I used Norton and it got some stuff, and then started turning life into a nightmare, I never did get rid of it completely. It's still on the old drive, but I downloaded antivir and it cleaned up the problem in a snap. When i went to xp and a new drive I installed antivir and I'm very happy with it, it updates automatically everyday, I'm not afraid to go anywhere on the net now.

[David Zephyr]

33. I don't know how to help you, but I'm a big fan of Norton

Good luck.

[KoKo]

34. Thanks....I guess it's "You're On Your OWN NOW.." just wing it...

I could do an "emoticom" but it might be offensive to you.

:-( this is the best I could do............

[susu369]

39. Had a very similiar story with Norton (recently)

I am was a long-time Norton user. Went to renew on-line and paid $46.00 (had complete confidence at that time). Then I could not download properly because I received message that I had to download some software from Microsoft (which I did) and STILL could not get the darn thing to work.

So, I wrote Norton's an email and explained situation and asked for tech support. This is how they responded: you can get a refund by doing xyz...

That's how much my years of buying their software meant to them - get a refund.

Idiots. So I downloaded a free year trial from Computer Associates - with no glitches whatsoever.

And don't get me started about Dell computers.....

[KoKo]

40. YES! that was what the "drift" I was getting from them came down to!

I'm glad to see DU'ers posting alternatives...I always get my BEST from fellow DU'ers.

But...what makes me so sad is that I've had friends and family lose their computers to "worms and viruses" ...and yet since '06 as a "Newbie" computer user I NEVER LOST ANYTHING ...and I thought it was because "NORTON" kept me safe.. And, since I'm one of those "oldie Loyalists" I kept with NORTON....

They TRASHED ME......:-(

[tlsmith1963]

41. I Have Windows XP

And I also have Norton Antivirus 2006. No problems except for the fact that it may be blocking me from getting into i-tunes.:mad:

Tammy

[Benfea]

42. Norton AV stopped being worthwhile a looooooong time ago.

They got surpassed by other AV products in terms of detection rates and removal rates a very long time ago, but even then I still recommended Norton to people. Why? Because for the longest time they were the only AV producer to offer free updates forever.

A couple years back they changed that, and now they charge a fee for future updates just like all the other companies do. The instant they did that, they removed the last compelling reason for owning their product. There are other AV products that integrate better with the OS, others that are more stable, and more importantly, others that do a better job of detecting and removing viruses. There is no reason to buy Norton AV.

[Deja Q]

43. They've been going downhill since John W Thompson became CEO

He used to be marketing director for OS/2.

He couldn't do that right.

So he went to Symantec. And that was ~1998.

And recently he wrote an article he wrote for cnet, trying to sound knoweldgeable and ahead of the game. Unfortunately, said article inadvertantly made him come across as extremely pedantic and utterly condescending. Never mind that we consumers don't have the power he thinks we have...


Go Trend Micro, BTW. Worth every penny and more.

[mvd]

44. Yep, some people have major problems with..

Norton on their computers. Their technical support isn't very good, and you can't rely on them. Try re-formatting. I haven't had many problems with Norton on a clean computer. It IS a strong AV, if you can get it working.

Otherwise, try Kaspersky AV and NOD32 AV. I use Kaspersky, but haven't ruled out moving to NOD32.

[DrGonzoLives]

48. I gave up on it

Norton slows your computer down so much it's ridiculous. I just use Windows firewall now and have had no problems.