Norton Antivirus 2004

Rating:
Summary: Apparent Incompatibility Problems
Review: As someone who refuses to kowtow (by checking in with Microsoft to get permission to reinstall software that I legally own in the first place) to Bill Gates every time she reformats her hard drive (an annual event for me), I still use win98 rather than xp. On the box of my newly-purchased Norton Antivirus 2004, the compatible operating systems are listed, including win98. Apparently this isn't true, because after installing NAV 2004, I was instructed to rerun win98 setup. I did, then encountered an error message. Each instance required my hitting the reset button; nothing else would eliminate these error message boxes. Things alternated between my having to rerun win98 setup and uninstalling NAV2004 and reinstalling it. I have given up. NAV has been great in the past, but I will not be forced into using windows xp just so I can continue using NAV products. I was further surprised to see that NAV required my installing IE 6 when I never use Internet Explorer at all. I'm beginning to wonder if Norton has sold out to Microsoft.

Rating:
Summary: Buggy and tech support is virtually non-existent.
Review: Buggy buggy buggy! On one computer, I can only get NPF to load on 1/3 of all boots (warm or cold). On my other computer, the central (yet separate) updating program -- Symantec LiveUpdate -- automatically CHANGES its connectivity options ITSELF nearly every day, which causes the "LiveUpdate settings" to become "corrupt," making updating either NPF or NAV impossible unless. . . .

One goes through a cumbersome process of scanning the entire hard drive(s) for LiveUpdate's configuration settings, removes them manually, goes to the control panel to reconfigure NEW settings, and then reboots. This works (temporarily) to fix the problem, but it takes about 10 minutes. Do that 10-12 times per week, and you can imagine the frustration factor.

Periodically, this "quick" fix fails, and I have to go through a bizarrely convoluted "uninstall" process for Symantec LiveUpdate. This LENGTHY process is outlined in a "repair" document that, when the screen type is set to "smallest," requires 6 (SIX) pages of paper to describe and about 45 minutes to actually execute.

When that "repair" no longer works, Symantec tech "support" suggests uninstalling and reinstalling everything (that's their solution to nearly every problem -- they seem to have next to zero troubleshooting expertise or, perhaps, zero WILL to help), a process that can take as long as an hour and a half, depending on your CPU clock speed.

I've mentioned the near-uselessness of their email "tech" support. Frankly, I see no "tech" in their "support." Invariably, one is directed to one of a gazillion lengthy online documents that spells out a time-consuming process to keep the customer running in circles, only to find, ultimately, that there is NO way to fix the problem other than UNINSTALLING everything (remember, there are three components here -- NPF, NAV, and LiveUpdate) and then reinstalling ALL THREE. A 1.5 hour process, at least, as I noted above.

I'm completely fed up with Symantec, especially with their repeated "apologies for any inconvenience. . . ." What? "Any" inconvenience? How about the very REAL and repeatedly tangible wastes of time caused not only by buggy software but by their inability and/or unwillingness to actually troubleshoot an issue or fix the bugs in their software rather than simply playing their default "uninstall and reinstall" card. If they truly were sorry, they'd fix the software rather than directing the customer to "keep. . . running" (hat tip to Ralph Ellison).

I'm no programmer, but even I could give that "techincal support advice" (I use the terms loosely). I have no alternative software solutions to suggest, but I strongly warn users to avoid this software like the plague that it is.

Ironically, the anti-virus software works like a charm (it has intercepted dozens of viral emails), and the firewall is impressive in its capabilities and has been excellent. But the inability to keep the products updated because of unauthorized software auto-reconfigurations and subsequent file corruptions thereby, added to the dozens of hours needed to keep that update component functioning properly have made this software and Symantec's lack of useful tech support infuriating.

Update to Symantec 2005?
Not while I'm alive. . . .

Rating:
Summary: You do have options...
Review: Buy an inexpensive broadband router such as the D-Link DI-604 (this is your firewall) and a copy of PC-cillin from Trend Micro (this is your virus software) and you're good to go.

Rating:
Summary: Avoid like the plague
Review: Do NOT buy this product. It hosed up my brand-new, out-of-the-box, no-other-software-installed, system big time... wouldn't let me install or un-install it or any other program; trashed my internet access; and wouldn't run itself properly. I tried (several times) the 8 or 9 different possible manual solutions offered on the Symantec web site to fix or remove the software (an indicator of how bad this software is)... to no avail. After a complete re-format and re-install of XP Pro and AFTER HAVING TO PAY VIA THE 900 Symantec "SUPPORT" NUMBER (they won't help for free)I am finally rid of this piece of crap. The online tech (at the per-minute charge) admitted that they have lots of disgruntled customers and unresolved problems.

DO NOT BUY this program (or Norton Internet Security) which caused similar problems)... go with McAfee or another vendor instead...

Rating:
Summary: I am so sorry I bought this
Review: First, I had NAV for many years and all went swimmingly. Yesterday, I decided to upgrade to NAV 2004, so I went to Symantec and downloaded the upgrade version. I am no computer neophyte, and I followed the instructions (written for an audience of third-graders), and it simply would not allow me to continue the verification process, i.e., the encrypted security key must have been SO encrypted even THEY could not decipher it.

In any event, it also destroyed my registries for anything related to Norton products, rendering Norton Internet Security unloadable. And, I have no idea how it did this, but I couldn't even get my e-mail server to respond.

I went to the Symantec site, followed all the troubleshooting instructions, uninstalling, installing; several times, and decided I had to contact a person. Oh, yeah, this you can do, but it will cost you. I will NOT pay for tech support of a product as problematic as this. I simply will no long purchase anything from any company that does not have adequate, PERSONAL customer support.

Rating:
Summary: OK But only 1 year's update included!
Review: I followed the instructions to the letter, with Emergency Recovery disks, all applications closed & so on. Installation was S-L-O-W, don't be in a hurry when you do this (I use a Celeron 1.2 Ghz with 512Mb RAM).

Also at first my PC ran slowly too, web pages especially took forever to load then appeared in a flash, as if the Web connection was in trouble. A Re boot solved that & there hasn't been a re-occurence since.

The Virus file update following install was fine & quick, but the re-scan for troublesome files took FOREVER, over 30 minutes on my 60Gbyte drive! (with 20 Gbyte of data on it) It turned up no viruses but highlighted some unwanted, nasty, intrusive MalWare & rogue dialers, so I'm happy with the results.

One MAJOR bone of contention is you're only given 1 year's worth of virus file updates. This is a definite No-No when you pay $50 for this software. I'd expect at least 2 years, preferably 3. Obviously Norton has taken a page out of Microsoft's book.

The PC runs fine, no blue screen (yet!) no noticable slow downs (I know people who have this trouble) & all my peripherals work (I know someone who's digital camera won't connect when Norton is running).

Relieved? Yes, I use my PC for studying & work so now I'm a happier knowing a virus attack is a lot less likely.

Rating:
Summary: Read INSTRUCTIONS for Successful Installation!
Review: I had formerly had Norton 2003 on my HP Pavillion Pentium 4 2.53GHz with 512MB. That worked fine. I wrote another review stating how I needed to do something after an accidental McAfee Virus Scan corrupted my registry of my Norton 2003, so without protection I had to do something quick for my computers safety and my own peace of mind.

My computer had been so far gone, due to many deletions I had made, and not learning to leave things alone. I had just installed MSN Premium for my DSL and nothing was working correctly at all. I had no choice after the system was running haywire and doing nothing right, but to do a complete destructive recovery on my HP. For anyone who has ever had to start from scratch, well it was not easy. Luckily the great feature of HP is your D recovery drive. You can turn back time and make the computer once again, brand new.

After taking on the daunting task of re-installing every patch from microsoft update, all my former internet software, printers, and well, EVERYTHING, all over again, it was time for Norton to be re-installed too.

I had bought the 2004 version after the initial destruction of my Norton 2003 from that useless free McAfee Virus Scan that does NOTHING, but that installation of the 2004 was lost when I did the recovery. I was able to redownload from the site, where I purchased it, as they let you do that two times more in 60 days of purchase, which is great in my opinion. You just need the info they send in the email when you purchase. I saved a copy to the desktop too so it is always there, and I got the backup disc too. I was able to install this and run it flawlessly ever since with no problems at all.

I think alot of you that are having a problem with your Norton 2004 software is that you are not reading the installation document at the Symantec Site. This is crucial apparently to a successful installation. Have all of you first done the complete Defragmentation to your hard drive C as instructed? Have you cleaned out the temporary files completely? Have you removed ALL former Norton software and clean booted the computer as instructed? I did ALL of that and whatever else the instructions said to do, and my software works just great! My computer NEVER runs slower due to Norton 2004 software. Even when I am doing a complete scan and the Norton is running in another window, I can surf super fast, play games or whatever, with no glitches, no freezes, no PROBLEMS at all. I had some pictures sent to me, and Norton even detected a malicious script and blocked it after asking me, very efficiently, and logged it. It finds any spyware very quickly, live update works great too. My email is not supported by this program, clearly stated by Norton, but it DOES find anything in the email before it gets to my drives anyway, so in that case, works just fine. I cannot understand all the problems and complaints here, and hope that my words can help some others. I was afraid to buy this because I read my fellow reviewers thoughts and have respect for other opinions always, but this time I must disagree.

On the subject of customer service, it is great. Online support wrote me at least 10 times in reference to every single question I asked. The first reponse took a few days, but the next several emails came fast. They included links to the site with all appropriate information I needed, which was informative and helpful to me. One email had the instructions to install Norton 2004.

Not only was the tech support helpful, they gave me a FULL YEAR extension, ON THE HOUSE for all my troubles and for re-purchasing an upgrade with Norton as I lost some of my old subscription time on my 2003 which was good until 9/2004. They made the time up to me, and then some.

Bottom line is, this is excellent software with NO defects, NO freezes, NO slowing the machine down in the least, NO crashes, NO re-activations, NO rebooting, NO PROBLEMS!

If you are having this trouble, I would suggest you go read the document at the site, how to install Norton 2004 and clean boot the computer. If you unistall and reinstall once more the right way, you may just get a far more positve experience out of Norton Antivirus 2004. Good luck cyberfriends!

Rating:
Summary: More bloated but works!
Review: I have to admit I feel quite ambivalent toward Symantec products. Back in the 80s Peter Norton's software was mean and lean, doing well what they were designed to do. Then Symantec bought Norton out and the software, like Windows itself, became bloatware with lots of bugs and secret registry entries that would just screw up your PC.

I don't now if Symantec ever listens to its customers. Well, since they offer generous rebates, and we customers jump on them, I guess they don't have to listen to us.

Anyway, Norton Antivirus 2004 finally came out. It, at long last, has one feature that I had been writing Symantec about for years: the ability to scan for key loggers and other snoopware. I set up a few of such programs on a virtual machine via Virtual PC, and NAV 2004 was able to identify all of them. To someone like me who does a lot of online banking, this feature alone is worth the (after-rebate) upgrade price.

Otherwise, you get the same features from the previous version, such as the ability to scan compressed files and to monitor IM chat sessions. One new feature that'll sure irk some people is the Microsoft-like product activation feature; you must type in a product code and then use the Internet or phone to activate NAV 2004 if you want to use it for more than 15 days.

Installation was easy as I upgraded from NAV 2003. Everything went smoothly. The only negative I've noticed is NAV 2004 seems to take longer to load at start-up than previous versions. (I have a P4 system running XP.) Not a big deal, but perhaps a sign of Symantec's diehard inability to write Peter Norton-quality software?

In summary, if you are concerned about snoopware such as keystroke loggers, or if you haven't upgraded in two years, get this. Shop around and you'll find rebates to help you upgrade.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Just Got BETTER!
Review: I just purchased this as an upgrade to my 2003 subscription that I had renewed on my Windows XP. Not something planned but an emergency move when my installation of MSN Premium Software for my Verizon DSL service, ruined my Norton with an accidental startup of McAfree Virus Scan. I had not meant to harm my current Norton, but when I checked the McAfree offer, it began to download, and even though I told it NOT to remove my Norton, it corrupted the registry, and after several attempts, I could not repair the problem. My auto-protect and email scanning were off and could not be enabled, and then I even lost the default automatic live update too.

I went to the Symantec site, and purchased this Norton 2004 as an upgrade to my 2003 software subscription, and paid $39.99. I also purchased the backup disc for an additional $9.99. Dealing with the download process was a bit tricky, but the wizard removed the old corrupted files, and I was able to save a backup to the computer too. Installation was a cinch once I got past the inittial glitches from the old data from 2003.

NOW I feel this was a blessing in disguise. The 2004 Norton Anti-virus is WAY better than the 2003 with more great features. It is still in the easy to use window as soon as you click on it. As advertised, detects Spyware and more expanded threats the 2003 version did not. You don't NEED a spyware program, 2004 has one built in, and it works great. You can remove manually, or set Norton to do it for you. I like to see and make sure of what is being deleted first. In any case, you really get to cover it all for one price and I feel you get alot for your money here in this basic package. Live update works the same way, quickly downloading all the latest updates for new threats. Although I have it set for automatic live update, I check it frequently anyway. I did a full system scan and it took 18 minutes total for me. I find this just as easy to use, and WAY more great features that give you confidence to surf the net and open your mail without worry. I don't understand what all the complaints are about here. I almost did not buy the product after reading some of my fellow reviewers opinions, but went ahead and bought as I trust Norton and have never had any problems with their software. My Windows XP running on a HP Pavillion Intel Pentium 4, 2.53GHz and 512MB memory has not been slowed, or any other operating problems since installation that have been mentioned by others. It has performed as well as usual, with no
glitches or any other errors due to Norton.

Bottom line is, for a great Anti-Virus Software program, with more great and necessary features than ever, that are simple to use and apply to your everyday needs in the cyber-world, DO NOT HESITATE to purchase and run Norton Anti-Virus 2004.

Rating:
Summary: Norton SystemWorks 2004
Review: I paid $54.99 for this product and it loaded and looks real pretty. Gee it would be nice if Symantec had put on the installation disk the lusetup.exe file. This means that the product purchased is worthless as you can not get Live Updates without that lusetup.exe file. Don't bother trying to download it over a weekend, Symantec is closed for business then. Once you get the lusetup.exe file executed, you still can't get Live Updates, you either get error 1853 or 1814 or any error they would like to give you. I am returning the product for a more user friendly one, not Norton.