Rating: 
Summary: unimpressive
Review: One good thing about this system is that it comes with Ghost. I recommend Ghosting your hard drive before installing anything else.The whole installer setup they use is one of the sloppiest I've seen. I would recommend tracking it with a program like InControl (freeware). So I install antivirus on a clean system using the systemworks installer. Later I try to uninstall it, but it tells me to turn off norton antivirus first and try again (but not without breaking something first...). So I disable everything that loads NAV at startup...and reboot. Then, the systemworks installer lists it as uninstalled (but it isn't) and refuses to do anything until I uninstall the standalone version (which I never installed). At least a lot of hacking around in the registry and the windows installer system straightens that out. The tool to fix windows problems is underpowered. It also seems to think that the best way to fix registry keys with errors is to delete things. The same goes for shortcuts to non existant files. Letting it do this is a good way to fubar an otherwise decent winXP install. I would have expected it to at least do a search for the missing files (like Windows does automatically when you load bad shortcuts) and provide better details about what it wanted to delete. Pretty much your only options are to delete or manually edit, and the manual option doesn't even start regedit at the problem, you have to navigate to the right key yourself. Systemworks leaves bloat behind after it is uninstalled (both in the registry and on disk). This is unacceptable. I should be able to install systemworks, then uninstall it, and end up with exactly what I had before it was installed. Many of the tools are redundant with windows features.
I can accomplish most of the same tasks (and then some) using windows features and various cheap and freeware utilities without the hassle of a giant monolithic overintegrated registry infesting suite like systemworks. But really I just bought it for Ghost after a (unrelated) hard drive crash. So since I'm doing reformatting and clean installs anyway, its no big deal to me. Ghost is pretty good at least.
Rating: 
Summary: I Might Have Liked It Better If I'd Managed to Install It
Review: Another weekend shot. You'd think that installation would be easy on a new, XP-equipped computer, or at least I did. I kept getting "...installation has failed with error code: -12" for both CleanSweep and Norton Utilities, and "Error 1406. Could not write value Norton SystemWorks 2002 to key." The manual didn't help me at all, and the technical support section in the back noted that "PriorityCare fee-based telephone support services are available to all registered customers." I'd already shelled out well over $[money] for three copies of what was beginning to resemble lemonade ingredients (for loading on multiple PCs), and wasn't about to spend additional money trying to recoup what seemed a bad investment. I did try the online FAQ system, only to be advised to edit the Windows Registry, being careful to backup the registry first to prevent "...permanent data loss or corrupted files." I'm not MSCE-certified, and don't feel I should have to be to install consumer software on a home PC. This may in fact be the best computer security software on the market, but it won't do me a bit of good if I can't install it. I'm returning an unopened copy to Amazon for a refund, and keeping the opened copies of SystemWorks and Internet Security software on the shelf to remind me to research more carefully before making software purchases. (Later addition) Frustration overcame my better judgement, and I eventually wound up trying to edit the Windows Registry, as noted above. The computer's now in the shop getting its hard drive reformatted. This will cost another $[money]or so, but will probably be worth it. Not only will the computer boot and run again, but all the Norton files will be gone. From what I've gleaned from some of the other (belatedly read) reviews, this may be the only way to totally uninstall SystemWorks.
Rating:
Summary: Additions to SystemWorks 2.0 (upgrade) from 1.0
Review: The SystemWorks package works well for Os 9.x or lower but it caused many problems for me once I changed my operating system to OS X. After reading many forums from disgruntled users of Systemwork's performance, I knew it was not just me complaining. The 2.0 version includes Alsoft's Disk Warrior 2.1, which I also own. Its sole purpose is to rebuild damaged directories. Why did Symantec's 2.0 version include a product from another software competitor? That is not a difficult question to answer...
Rating: 
Summary: No problems here!
Review: It was with some trepidation I ordered the upgrade after reading all the horror stories by other reviewers. I was tempted just to get another year's virus definitions for my running copy of 2001 (with which I was very satisfied.) Well I'm pleased to report the old version uninstalled just find using the products uninstall option, new version loaded up fine and I'm back to being a satisfied user. About the only annoyance is that, with the uninstall, you loose all your settings and have to configure again. Win2000 pro on an old p200 system.
Rating:
Summary: 5 singles are cheaper than the 5 pack??
Review: more economical to buy 5 singles of this software than the 5 pack.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Perfect but Pretty Darn Good
Review: We have a P4 1700 MHz system running Windows XP.
Overall, we have found System Works to be a good bundle of utilities. The Virus Scanner runs much more smoothly than McAfee VirusScan and seems to tie up fewer system resources. Speed Disk, System Doctor, Disk Doctor and Win Doctor all have improved the performance of our machine. Although it would be nice if CleanSweep offered a more in depth cleaning of our hard drive, the Fast & Safe Cleanup is just that - very fast and has not caused us any problems whatsoever. Additionally, the Norton Web Services and Symantec Web Services are very helpful, offering online security checks, virus scanning, software updating, etc.
Were it not for the unfortunate limitations of CleanSweep, we would definitely give this 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Warnings about uninstall problems 100% accurate! DON'T BUY
Review: I just spent two hours trying to install SystemWorks with no success. I had an old version that I wanted to upgrade, but could not uninstall the old version first so it wouldn't let me install the 2002 version. And, my effort follows that of a Microsoft Certified Software Engineer friend of mine who also couldn't figure it out. Pretty scary when someone who's profession is computers can't install their product. On top of all that, Symantec CHARGES you if you want to actually talk to their tech support!!!! Textbook poor customer service. It's not like I've had the product for a year - I opened the box yesterday. Do not buy this product - and, frankly, after realizing they charge to support their own product, I'd recommend avoiding all Symantec products all together.
Rating:
Summary: AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!
Review: Installing SystemWorks on XP seems okay. Then try installing "Go Back" which is an included program. I'd sooner slit my wrists than spend another evening trying to fix the ensuing disasters!
Rating:
Summary: Should be called "System DOESNT work..."
Review: What Chutzpah... If you have former versions of Norton, you may encounter severe problems installing Systemworks. I spent an evening uninstalling etc before going to the Symantec web site to find out there are well-known problems with installing systemworks over other versions of Norton software. Despite adding/removing thru the control panel, Norton SYstemworks 2002 refuses to install everything except Cleansweep. Frustratingly, although you can manually ask that Norton utilities and antivirus be loaded anyway, the program will notice the former Norton utility phantoms and arbitrarily refuse to load your new software. So you're stuck. I resent software companies whose fix is to ask the users to edit registry files. Systemworks 2002 claims it is for XP but yet it can't work with former versions of its own software. There's no excuse for bringing out software for a platform that doesn't work with earlier versions.
Rating:
Summary: Stay Away!
Review: After upgrading to Windows XP I tried to install Systemworks 2002. The install failed and subsequent efforts also failed. I uninstalled the program using Window's uninstall routine but still couldn't reinstall it. I performed a manual uninstall per Norton's instructions (scary since it involves rummaging through the registry)and still couldn't reinstall it. After three months I still get occasional error messages related to Norton and Systemworks. I've had several technical support people from other software companies tell me that Norton spreads itself through your system like a weed and is virtually impossible to completely uninstall. They were right! STAY AWAY!
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