Rating: 
Summary: An excellent program
Review: Norton SystemWorks 2002 Professional Edition is probably the best suite available, for keeping your computer in top shape condition. I have been using Norton SystemWorks for three years now, and I have mastered it quite well. There are some powerfull features like unformat and diskedit(and others as well) that can literaly bring a computer back from the dead, although the procedure can be very lengthy. It took me 10 straight hours to fix a friend's computer, which would have been easier to format the drive, and re-install everything. But since he had some valuable data(for him not for me) on the disk and no back up, I was not allowed to format the disk. So remember people, always back up your data. Norton SystemWorks 2002 PE includes, Norton Antivirus 2002, Norton CleanSweep 2002, Norton Utilities 2002, WinFax, GoBack from Roxio which needs quite some hard disk space, and Process Viewer. In conjunction with Norton Personal Firewall 2002 or Norton Internet Security 2002, where both programs can be integrated into SystemWorks, your computer will run perfectly, and will be secured from hacker attacks and trojan horses while surfing the net. Now, you must be wondering since this program is so good, how come I only gave it four stars? Like I said, I have been using Norton SystemWorks for 3 years. It seems that every year, in every newer version,Symantec programmers are removing something They started with Crash Guard, and now they have removed System Check, Norton Diagnostics, and Registry Sweep, which are all very usefull in keeping a computer running smoothly. I have Regclean for cleaning the registry but it's just not the same as Registry Sweep. Those of you that have SystemWorks 2001 might say that System Check is not included in Norton SystemWorks 2001. Well it is included, there is just no shortcut for it. You can find the program in the Norton Utilities folder (I think is Syscheck.exe, I dont remember right now) and create a shortcut. It doesn't matter much though, because you can copy the executable files, paste them into Norton SystemWorks 2002 folder and run them from there. I tried it with System Check and it runs perfectly. If anyone from Symantec is reading this, you might consider next time to put them back. All and all this is a great program, one that I definitely recommend for your system.
Rating: 
Summary: SHOULD BE NUMBER 1 WORST SOFTWARE OF 2002
Review: This package is dangerous for the casual user of a computer. The biggest problem is unstalling it, since Systemworks 2002 fights hard to remain a part of your system software. If you are not extremely comfortable working in the registry, I would not buy this program since it loads an entry in every folder in Windows. The Systemworks software has been sliding downhill since 1997/98 versions but this is the first one that causes more problems than it solves. I deleted it from three of my computers because of the time spent undoing problems caused by Systemworks. The only positive note about the package is Cleansweep but that can be purchased separately.
Rating:
Summary: What a Nightmare!
Review: I've wasted a minimum of 5 hours now trying to install this product... I've followed every tip on Symantec's site, from using symcln and on. I've installed and uninstalled 4 times. I had it working part-way for a couple of weeks, but LiveUpdate wouldn't work and I had to download all the virus definitions manually. Scheduler wouldn't work so I had to do all my updates and scans manually. Recently I tried to fix the problems by doing a clean re-install. It only made the problems worse. Strangely, it works just fine on my Win2000 machine but on the NT4.0 machine it is my worst nightmare. Beware....
Rating:
Summary: Norton SystemWorks 2002 Professional
Review: If you are running Windows XP you will find that this version of SystemWorks is much better for your system than previous versions. This software has received the "Designed for Windows XP" designation, and is marketed as the only copy that will properly function on Windows XP. I decided not to test Symantec, and purchased this copy when I installed Windows XP. Features in this version that I especially like are the new Roxio GoBack and the ability to check your outgoing email for viruses. Users of Outlook will really appreciate this, since many viruses are transmitted without the sender knowing anything of the infection. AntiVirus 2002 is also much faster in virus checking than previous versions have been, a great plus especially considering that all email (incoming and outgoing) can be checked. I have found that their technical support is lacking somewhat, but then I have also noticed that with other companies such as McAfee. One of the features that I really liked was Registry Optimization, but I lost that feature in Windows 2000 using SystemWorks 2001 as well. Users of Windows 2000/ME and prior, don't upgrade there just isn't enough to make it worthwhile for you guys... Windows XP users, you should definitely consider this upgrade!
Rating:
Summary: A Worthwhile Purchase
Review: I really hesitated about buying a copy of Norton Systemworks. There were so many complaints about it from users who had had bad luck. However, I've always been a fan of Norton AntiVirus, so I decided to go ahead with Systemworks. While I can't compare it to any previous versions, I have been very happy with they way Systemworks Professional Edition works on my machine. I've had no problems whatsoever running on a Windows 98se operating system. My machine is used 80-percent of the time for playing computer games. This makes a mess out of my hard drive with multiple installs and saves. Systemworks Professional's Utilities cleans and defragments my hard drive better than the built-in Windows version. I've been able to correct a lot of registery errors I never knew existed, as well. Clean Sweep has made it easier to remove Internet junk build-up. While I know how to access the various files to do this manually, it's nice having a program that will do it with less hassle. AntiVirus is still an excellent program, too. I purchased Professional edition because I'm planning to use Norton Ghost to clone my hard drive for an upgrade. It was cheaper to buy it in this package than to buy Ghost separately. While I have not used it yet, I don't anticipate problems. All this being said, Systemworks is a powerful program that can be dangerous for casual users should they not really know what they're doing. From some of the problems I've read about, it sounds like this may have been the issue for some. Also keep in mind, that should users run all the options, it will slow down the computer's resources considerably. This can easily be remedied by hitting CONTROL+ALT+DELETE and pressing the End Task button over programs they want to shut off until restarting.
Rating: 
Summary: My system has never run better!
Review: Since I have been using Norton SystemWorks my computer has never run better! The antivirus program is wonderful as always and in my book is the best protection you can get for your home computer. The other utilities included in SystemWorks are keeping everything else running smoothly. It's by far the simplest of this type of software I've ever used. The One Button Checkup is my favorite feature. A must have!
Rating:
Summary: Norton SystemWorks 2002 Professional
Review: If you are running Windows XP you will find that this version of SystemWorks is much better for your system than previous versions. This software has received the "Designed for Windows XP" designation, and is marketed as the only copy that will properly function on Windows XP. I decided not to test Symantec, and purchased this copy when I installed Windows XP. Features in this version that I especially like are the new Roxio GoBack and the ability to check your outgoing email for viruses. Users of Outlook will really appreciate this, since many viruses are transmitted without the sender knowing anything of the infection. AntiVirus 2002 is also much faster in virus checking than previous versions have been, a great plus especially considering that all email (incoming and outgoing) can be checked. I have found that their technical support is lacking somewhat, but then I have also noticed that with other companies such as McAfee. One of the features that I really liked was Registry Optimization, but I lost that feature in Windows 2000 using SystemWorks 2001 as well. Users of Windows 2000/ME and prior, don't upgrade there just isn't enough to make it worthwhile for you guys... Windows XP users, you should definitely consider this upgrade!
Rating:
Summary: Systemworks is cool. Works great.
Review: Since NT4 DIDN'T come with any builtin defragmentation tool, you'll need something to keep ahead of the fragmentation problem. The Antivirus has saved my ... several times, by intercepting
virus' attached to emails. Never had ANY PC problems, like those mentioned by other reviewer. Get this package, or ONTRACK systemsuite 4.0, either will do, in keeping your pc in top shape.
Rating: 
Summary: Antivirus OK, Ghost Poor
Review: I needed an anti-virus program for my new Compaq, and a backup utility as well. Systemworks had both, so I bought it. NAV seems to work OK with Win XP/Office XP. No complaints. Now, about Ghost:
Day 1 - Ghost needs to run under DOS, not Windows. It creates a boot disk. The boot disk uses PC DOS. PC DOS will not boot on a Compaq. You need to use MS DOS. Where can you get that nowadays?! I finally downloaded and installed Caldera Open DOS. That will boot, at any rate. Ghost won't recognize Open DOS, but with enough tinkering, you can get it to install on your pre-formatted boot disk.
Day 2 - I want to back up across the network. Ghost creates a network boot disk. But, the driver for this Compaq doesn't work. (Shame on me for buying a Compaq!) Hours of Web searches, Symantec, Intel, and Compaq tech spport, finally get a driver that loads. Yay!
Day 3 - Just because you can load a driver doesn't mean that you can mount a network drive. The network support in Ghost is to clone one PC running Ghost to another PC running Ghost. I just want to back up to another PC, not wipe it out with a copy of this one. Does anybody remember DOS networking? Symantec is no help. More hours of struggle to get this working. Luckily, I use a similar backup scheme at work, so I can cannibalize their boot files.
Day 4 - I run Ghost and it can't see the network drive. For that you need the Enterprise edition. You are out of luck. Just because I'm too stubborn to give up, I download a trial version of the Enterprise edition. It can see the network drive, but fails to complete the backup when the compressed dump file reaches 2 Gb. "Please insert another volume," is not a good message to see when you are in DOS and backing up to a network drive. Summary: I should have bought a stand-alone version of Norton Anti-Virus.
Rating:
Summary: Symantic-Example of Useless Bloatware - DANGER
Review: I have been a computer professional for 20 years and remember in the beginning the Norton Utilities for DOS. I have purchased and used every version and have some insights. First of all, they have become like the auto industry. They create a new model every year to further programming obsolesence. They have focused more on the Moronic Iconoclastic image of their once respected founder than on the product. Big Blue almost went over the edge a few years ago when they forgot that their company was product driven, not image driven. I find the product to be of dubious value considering Norton has licensed versions of its products already integrated into most Microsoft products[operating systems], and more thoroughly debugged I might add. When I think about all of the coding that went into the splash screens and animations it amuses me because conversly, and to an inverse proportion, they have neglected the hard coding side of the product. It is weak at best in its duties. The virus protection is adequate. The defragging software is a non sequitor in WinXP because the operating system has a more reliable version built in (by guess who). What is the point in risking the stability of your operating system, especially if you are not an expert; by installing this basket of bruised fruit? Unfortunately, most users only want a modicum of protection from viruses and unscheduled crashes, Norton products garner a D+ rating from me. When I look at a company, I look at its product, its practices and finally its ethics. Norton has effectively relegated all of those principals to the rubbish heap. I am not even sure if Peter Norton is still actively involved in the company. I suggest computer users shop carefully for utilities, but first learn how to use the adequate functionality of the operating system. I feel this is adequate for 90% of you out there. Shame on you Peter Norton. You cannot leverage that brand equity for much longer. I wonder if Symmantic even reads these reviews. If Peter still had some say so in the company, this would not be happening. DJC
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