Norton SystemWorks 2005 Premier - Single User [AntiVirus, Utilities, GoBack, Ghost, CheckIT]

Rating:
Summary: No Installation Problems
Review: I don't know why so many other reviewers complained about installation problems. This product installed the first time without a single hitch. The product information states that the installation might be unsuccessful if there is a virus in the system, so let the program perform the virus scan when it requests to do so. As far as the interface, it's typical Norton and looks like Norton Internet Security. I did have to search for the anti-virus scanning scheduler which didn't seem to be in a logical place but once found, scheduling scans was easy. The "one-touch" feature is a conveinent way to do all the scans that SystemWorks performs. This is a fine product and worthy of the Norton name.

Rating:
Summary: Similar Install Problems - Avoid Wasting Your Time
Review: I had similar install problems at mentioned in the other reviews. I had to wipe out all prior versions of Symantec products manually to get this to install correctly (i.e. playing with registry files). The program now works, but I still get an error message regarding a missing .dll at startup. I did have Norton Antivirus 2004 installed prior to the upgrade (followed directions on uninstalling prior versions, did not work). It also fouled up my internet connection, but I found a website to fix the problem (again, more registry hacking into TCP/IP setting).

If you are an intermediate to advanced computer user with a few hours to spare give it a try, but this is the last Norton product I will ever purchase(after using Norton products for 10+ years). Norton Antivirus 2004 was a resource hog, Systemworks 2005 has a buggy install. The only reason I stuck with Norton was it cost, practically zero to upgrade each year (...) but it's not worth the trouble anymore. I would say you get what you pay for, but considering the retail price of this is (...)...save your money and buy something else.

Rating:
Summary: Huge Disappoint from Symantec
Review: I have been a loyal user of Symantec products for many years, and am a knowledgeable user - though not an IT person, I do build my own computers, etc. I am extremely disappointed in NSW 2005 and NAV 2005. The product simply does not install correctly, and there is more than one installation problem, which you can find by using Google. In my case, I worked with Norton support for some time, uninstalling and reinstalling the product, and doing significant registry maintenance to insure that all references to ANY past Norton products were removed. The software still did not install correctly. (I continue to get a message about a missing navemail.dll, even though NAV 2005 does not use this dll.)

I finally pointed out to Symantec that there is significant information on the Internet about the problems with NSW 2005 /NAV 2005 installation, and therefore asked for my money back on a DOWNLOADED copy. Without argument or hesitation, Symantec agreed, which tells me that not only did they want to make me happy, but they also must know that there are significant product issues.

I hope Symantec fixes this problem, and gets their act together. I have liked their products in the past. But this is a very poor product and I would recommend that mainstream users check out mainstream alternatives such as McAfee or Computer Associates.

Rating:
Summary: WORTHLESS
Review: I have been using their products for many years, but this year's edition simply does not install. I have wasted hours trying to get this to work. The solutions in their knowledge base are ineffective. It's the weekend, so of course there's no technical support -- even when there is -- there is a charge of $30. Save your time and money -- buy something else.

Rating:
Summary: In my opinion, not a very bad program has been working 4 me
Review: I have used Norton system Works for quite a number of years, and recently bought this as an upgrade from 2003 professional version. I haven't had any real problems with it but I haven't been using it that long.

But I would recommend going with Premier version over the standard version. You do get Norton ghost, which is a powerful program for backing up your critical data. For me. I would much rather by system works than the antivirus because it is not too much more. And you get so much more!

One thing to note, I love clean sweep is a great program for cleaning up your hard drive and Internet temp files but when you do the normal installation of system works. For some strange reason it doesn't install it. So make sure to use the advanced tab. When installing so that you can have clean sweep installed just an FYI.

Other than that all-around decent program good applications. Good virus protection and doesn't put a real strain on resources from my point of view running on 2 GHz processor.

Peace out

Rating:
Summary: Resource Hog
Review: I've been using Norton products since the dos days and have upgraded regularly over the years. After a DISASTROUS and completely failed attempt to upgrade both Systemworks and Internet security 2005, I took a hard look at my 2004 versions of the same programs. I have since done a clean reinstall of windows, (trying to upgrade to 2005 completely messed up my os), and all my software. I have upgraded to a combo modem/router with firewall and no longer have a need for Norton Internet security, (if you use dsl and do NOT have a "2wire" brand dsl modem router, GET ONE!). I've upgraded Windows to XP Pro. THE BACKUP FEATURE IN XP PRO IS WORTH THE PRICE OF THE UPGRADE! I backed up 17GB to external hard drive in 30 minutes. So no longer need Norton Ghost. I now use McAfee Antivirus, Spybot(freeware) and Adaware(freeware) and get better protection and lower system resource cost. I've found that Windows Disk Defragmenter does a fine job, so no longer need Speed Disk. Let me tell you, by dumping Norton Internet Security, Ghost, Antivirus and Speedisk, like some others have said, I have a new computer. I have about 80mb of additional ram,(after accounting for replacement software), and surfing the net has become FUN again. You'll see offers of Norton products for free after rebates. DON'T DO IT, unless you want it just for a couple of the smaller utilities like web tools, wipe free space or Windoctor, which is what I have reinstalled. The real costs are hogged system resources and lost/wasted time dealing with bloated software that wants to completely take over your computer. After relying on Norton for over ten years it was HARD to give it up! And while I'm glad I did I'm sorry I had to. Norton needs to scale back, slim down and give us back our computers. When they've done that I'll take another look.

P.S. Since doing the complete backup with Windows XP PRO Backup/ASR (automated system recovery), I've had occasion to do a complete restore :-). Easy, intuitive and flawless! Had my computer back in 1 hour.

Rating:
Summary: NSW 2005 installation routines are worse than broken ...
Review: I've used Norton Systemworks (and Norton Utilities) for years, however, this year I bought the product without reading all the reviews on Amazon. Boy am I sorry. The installation routines for this year's version product are just plain broken. Whoever tested this could not possibly have given it a "thumbs up" to be released. In my small world, even the common testing use cases failed (e.g., clean upgrade from last version, compatibility with other Symantec products, clean de-installs, etc.).

I had Norton Internet Security 2005 and Norton Systemworks 2004 Pro previously installed on my machine. Trying to install this version of Norton Systemworks generated all sorts of problems. In addition, it broke the one feature of Systemworks 2004 I used the most, Password Manager (sadly, that product isn't even included in this year's version of Systemworks). Not only does this product not cleanly install, but when you try to remove it to clean up all that it messed up it gets worse. It even removes what was installed with other Symantec products (when I de-installed NSW 2005 it removed the version of Norton Antivirus that I installed with Norton Internet Security 2005).

I can't say it enough. Read the Amazon reviews on this product. It is worse than broken. I've worked with information technology and software development for more than 20 years and this product should never have been released in its current form. After 6 hours of trying various combinations to get NIS 2005, NSW 2005, and Norton Password Manager 2004 to work I've finally given up. NSW 2005 is going in the trash and I'm reinstalling NSW 2004 Pro.

Symantec, I'm sorry to be so blunt. At one time, the Peter Norton name meant something to consumers that were looking for useful and high quality utilities for their PC. Apparently, those days are long gone. If you are looking for utilities that make your PC run better, either spend your money elsewhere or wait until Symantec pays more attention to their quality assurance and testing efforts.

Rating:
Summary: Be careful of the rebate!!!
Review: It's a good program, nothing too new and exciting. I bought the Premier to get my version that was a couple years old updated. My reason for this version was Ghost, since you don't have to reboot when you do a backup. Big Plus!

Just be VERY aware of the rebate from Symantec. MAKE SURE you send in the correct "flap" they ask for. Apparently it's NOT the one with the UPC/bar code. The rebate form says "Top Inner Flap". This is the first time I've sent in a rebate where they didn't want the UPC... None of the flaps are marked "Proof of purchase" so I sent in the flap with the UPC. I got back a card saying that I didn't send in the proof of purchase. Unfortunatly I didn't keep the box so I'm out the $30. It's a bit deceptive in my opinion. Just be aware. Amazon at the time had a rebate as well and I did get that part at least.

Back to the program, you CAN get most of the features in one form or another as freeware. Descent software, but I'm definitly turned off in the future from purchasing a Symantec product. Symantec, if you're going to give a rebate, make it simple and not tricky.

Rating:
Summary: 2005 Better than 2004 - Installation Nightmare - Beware
Review: Nastiest program install I've ever had; exceeding the difficulty of the 2004 install. Autoprotect did not work. Uninstalled and reinstalled the program 5 times, deleted files on the hard drive; and (perspiration) hacked the registry all at the direction of Symantec's online help directives. 4 hours later, finally got the program to install correctly. 2005 was an upgrade from SystemWorks 2004.

Symantec lost my business on my laptop last year. Unless there are glowing reviews for future versions of this product, they've lost it on my desktop too.

Agree with the other reviewers; this product is not for the average PC user; once you have it installed, it does take less resources; and it's a shame a fine product is brought to shambles by installation nightmares; as I too am a long time Norton user since back in the DOS days..., however, two years of nasty upgrade installation problems... bye Norton... aka Symantec.


Rating:
Summary: Reinstall
Review: This software is crap! I had to uninstall it in order to install a Windows update and cannot reinstall the software. Getting any help from Symantec is impossible. I done buying anything associated with Symantec. I don't need the aggravation.