Rating: 
Summary: This works just fine
Review: I have installed this copy of SystemWorks and it works just fine. I have not had any problems with this program crashing like other reviews. I bought this program to fix some errors with my XP Pro and the program fixed all of my problems. However, I won't say that things program is the greatest thing under the sun. It does fix some problems and it may be worth it if you have problems with windows.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't use with older CPU
Review: As a user of other Norton product don't attempt to install Systemworks on an older CPU. The minimum requirements for a computer running Win 2000 is a 133mhz processor and 64mb of ram. I have a 400mhz processor and 521mb of ram. The machine was crippled, startup was 7-10 minutes, opening a program took an additional 1-3 minutes and the virus check would cripple the web browser waiting for every file to be scanned. All was solved by uninstalling the product. Overall it may do the trick at fixing computer problems such as lost files, viruses, windows registry problems, and such. If you have any of these except for the virus problem install, fix it, and uninstall because you will have more problems then you started out with.
Rating: 
Summary: An amended review
Review: Following a week of unsuccessful attempts to correct a problem, I wrote a harsh review of Norton SystemWorks. Something in a recent SystemWorks' update had significantly impaired my computer's performance. System booting slowed to a crawl and programs took longer to launch. Symantec's online support page attributed the problem to intermittent VeriSign server availability on Jan. 7-8 and directed me to VeriSign for a fix to the problem, but the update had no initial effect. So in frustration I criticized Symantec's customer support and the way they had addressed the problem. In the end, my operating system was not permanently crippled and I did not have to reinstall it. Upon booting the system 2 mornings ago it had somehow, automagically, returned to normal. Did the system need multiple reboots for the fix to take effect? I don't know, but my system now works fine again. Perhaps questioning Symantec's trustworthiness was out of place. When searching for help, it was good to see that Symantec's online support page clearly acknowledged this particular problem in a well placed "Support Advisory!" highlighted in red; followed by a link to a page explaining the problem, what seemed to be its cause, and a possible fix. Well done. ....I've used Symantec's "Norton" products for many years and this was my first problem, but now that I'm aware of their fee-based phone support I may take a closer look at alternatives.
Rating:
Summary: A few minor problems
Review: Just before Christmas I purchased a recertified computer which runs Windows XP. After owning it for just a couple of weeks I noticed that it had a couple of problems on startup: one, it was taking Windows about a minute to actually boot up (that point where the music plays) after the home screen appeared. Also I was getting this annoying link in the taskbar that said "HOTKEY KEYBOARD" which did not do anything and did not lead to anything. After running a virus check and doing a defrag it occurred to me that I would need to get the latest Norton SystemWorks and run it, since my old version (2001) was incompatible with Windows XP. I had a gift card from one of the retail chains so I decided to go to that store and buy it. First I read all the reviews on amazon which were not, shall I say, encouraging. On the other hand, I once saw numerous people on another website complain about a particular piece of software that I had absolutely no problem with so I kept this in mind as well. Even so, I asked one of the salesmen at the store if there had been a lot of returns of the 2004 product and he said no, and he swore that I would be happy with it. He also told me that he worked in the hardware/repair department as well so he knew what he was talking about. His remarks, and my trust of Norton products in general, were enough to persuade me to take a chance on it. So I bought it and took it home. While loading the product onto my computer it froze once. After waiting a couple of minutes I took the disk out and rebooted. The first thing I noticed when I rebooted was that the problems I had been having with the boot-up had already disappeared and have not come back, even though the program was only partly installed. This was encouraging. I put the disk back in the CD drive, the download apparently picked up from where it had left off and completed smoothly. My computer did give me a message that there was an issue I needed to tend to, which turned out to be that one element of SystemWorks (WinDoctor I think) had not loaded properly. I'm guessing this came from when I stopped the initial download. My computer offered to fix that problem which it did in a split second. Aside from that, the only problem I have had is that SystemWorks insists that I have to defrag because only 88 percent of my files are not fragmented. I ran defrag twice and I am still getting the same message. However, both times Norton told me that the defragmentation was complete and I even checked the Windows defrag program which told me that everything was fine. So the only real issue I have had to deal with is having the red light in the tray which indicates that I need to defrag when I really do not. This is minor compared to the plight of those poor folks who have written to say that they have had to reformat their hard drive, reinstall their operating system and so forth. Always being one to take a chance, I decided to go ahead and try to load Norton SystemWorks 2004 on my laptop which runs Windows ME. It loaded just fine with no problems whatsoever. I'll probably eventually load it onto my old 56 MB RAM computer which I have given to my partner once he gets back from working offshore long enough to plug it in and use it. I suspect that it will run on there okay as well. Anyway I'm only going to give the product 4 stars instead of 5 because I had some minor problems with Norton SystemWorks 2004 on my desktop computer, and none on the laptop. All in all, so far at least, it seems to me like a very good product in most respects.
Rating: 
Summary: 2004 forced me to reinstall OS
Review: I've used Norton Systemworks for years so well acquainted with installation process. It hung up on the opening screen when "next" button wouldn't work. I was unable to find a phone number for tech/installation services. I could still access the Internet but java script errors prevented loading some sites. Then I discovered major problems with my OS (XP Home). This involved 6 to 8 hours on phone with Dell (at least they were accessible) and finally reinstalling my entire operating (we tried a repair first)system. Now I am having to reinstall all programs and backups but you can be sure Norton Systemworks wouldn't be one of them. I finally got a response from Norton's registration department (only e-mail address I could find) which suggested I run the program from safe mode. NO THANK YOU!
Rating:
Summary: The "Norton" name means nothing anymore.
Review: Remember the old days when installing a Norton product meant peace of mind, high expectations which were typically fulfilled, and an overall feeling that you were utilizing the best system software on the market? Yeah, me too. I've been a fan of Norton products for years. My recent purchase of SystemWorks 2004, however, has abruptly ended my admiration of Norton products. After installing this software, my system has realized a decrease in performance of, I'd say, about 500%. This suite is a substantial memory hog. Furthermore, I've somehow lost the ability to access my WD 100GB HDD ("Drive D is not formated. Format now?" Yeah right). Every program on my system hesitates many times during it's operation. Also, expect significantly longer boot-up and shut-down times. After a little deliberation, I decided to uninstall the program. Does Norton include an uninstaller? Of course not. Their "help" information directs me to use the "Add/Remove Programs" built into XP. Guess What? That no longer works either. Thanks Norton. The result - Format C: and break out the OS CD for a new installation.
Rating:
Summary: Keep the 2003 version instead!!!
Review: If you have the 2003 version you need to keep it, it is a wonderful product, and I wish I still had mine. Whatever you do, DO NOT UPGRADE to this 2004 version! Buy the subscription and save yourself many headaches. These other people know what they are talking about. Now I'm looking at re-formating my hard drive or buying a new one to get rid of my pain.
Rating:
Summary: If you own 2003, don't bother
Review: I've been using Norton Utilities, now called Systemworks, since they came on 5 1/2 inch floppies. Back in the "old" days, Norton would release a new version that contained better or additional features. Unfortunately, Symantec now insists on releasing one every year, regardless of any major changes. Too bad.
Rating:
Summary: Run, run, run as fast as you can
Review: I have always like Norton products, but this one is horrible. I am taking a break after a 6 hour install process on this garbage, and I'm not even done yet. I had 2003, 2002, ... and this one won't install without constant errors. I can't even get it uninstalled off my system to have a clean boot up. Forget about viruses, worms, hackers etc, this is one and you have even paid for this garbage.
Rating:
Summary: breaks meh hard.
Review: I have since paid for norton products. no more. added them to my list of things not worth paying for. This "product" isn't even worth pirating. i gladly brought mine back and didnt even bother to keep it installed, infact i reformated. product does not work with 'win2k lite.' its a stupid pos that utilizes IExplore for display and it should kill itself. problems.
bloat of death install. install typical - install complete same thing. the avg user does not need or want norton ghost. or clean sweep. or that horrid poassword manager. or live protection at the expensive of so much system performance. The footprint for this sack of crap is about 400megs, default install eats 40mgs of active ram. anti-piracy of nagging doom and death. activation agrivation. pricey and graphic gui. all who wrote this should be shot. stick with 03' for there mad win doc, and get something else entrily for viruses. housecall ect.
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