Norton problem (Solved)

Hey Everyone, I’m working on a computer( XP SP-3) that has Norton Internet security on it. The owner wants It removed and Avast installed.

Here’s what I’ve done so far, Removed NIS( and Live update) by Add-Remove Programs, Downloaded and then ran the NRT THREE times, Did a file and folder search for Symantec and Norton and removed anything I found. Did the same thing with Regedit. Ran a cleanup and Registry scan with Ccleaner and let it clean anything it found.

Now, after all that, When I try to install Avast I get a Pop up saying that there’s another anti-virus on the system (Symantec Anti-virus) and that it may cause problems with Avast.

OK everyone, What have I missed? Would it be safe to go ahead and install Avast? I’ve removed Norton from a BUNCH of systems and never had this much trouble.

Thanks in advance.

Marc

Have you rebooted after all this cleaning before trying to install avast ?

What does the Windows Security Center say as if avast detects this perhaps the WSC does too ?

I would suggest running HiJackThis and see if there are any symantec remnants mentioned as even the NRT has been known to still leave remnants.

Thanks for the reply David, Yep after each run of NRT and after regedit and Ccleaner i did a reboot, WSC says there’s no antivirus installed. I’ll try HiJackThis when I hook it up later tonight.

I swear that Norton is harder to get rid of than ANY Malware I’ve had to remove.

Install Norton again(only temporarily)and then use revos uninstaller to uninstall it.After norton is uninstalled,it will scan the computer for remaining registry item and files.I used that to get rid of norton and i never had a problem with avast. ;D ;D
http://www.revouninstaller.com/

Totally true harder to get rid of than many a malware infection.

Unfortunately, I am not in favour of installing it again just to have a go at it with another tool. However, I’m also not to confident in ccleaner doing the job of removing redundant registry entries, I feel it is a bit of a light weight in that regard. Whilst regedit is fine you have to know what to search for to get it totally clean.

I use RegSeeker (http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm), which is quite a powerful registry cleaner that I wouldn’t normally recommend to your average user as it doesn’t come with a help file, etc. and you have to have some knowledge about and be comfortable in editing the registry anyway.

I seriously second that… Firstly, they are selling a bloatware. Then they charge like hell for it… And, then they punish people who dare uninstall their product, by totally messing up their computer.
Add to that the fact that there are Better, less messier, and Free AV products available…

I seriously think Norton can fit the definition of a malware itself.

Even after years and years of having uninstalled it from my system, i used to find Norton/Symantec entries in the registry.

Thanks for the tip, but it came with the system so I can’t do a re install without wiping their system which they don’t want.( The recovery disks only offer a fresh install of the OS)

@ David, Thanks for the info, I’ll give it a try if HiJackThis doesn’t work.

@ Cimmind , I couldn’t agree more.

Sure…
Are you downloading the latest NRT tool?
Maybe the programmers could post what is verified by the installer (a registry key, a file) to detect NIS. Hope they have time to do this…

When you are regedit or any other do you set your Find tool to return both Norton and Symantec files?

I usually run two separate searches through the registry - one for Symantec and the other for Norton (or vice versa).

Hey mkis, Yep I ran two different searches with regedit.

@ Tech, Yep I always download the latest NRT when I have to get rid of Norton. And yes, It would be a BIG help to know what file or key is being detected.

Sorry I noticed later that you already said you searched both names. What a tough nut you got there, I never had NIS that bad, but may just one scrap somewhere that lodged as record. I suppose you already tried standard search of directories.

There is a last resort I use when having trouble bringing up okay defrag or when I know system carrying a ton of leftover garbage after standard cleanup. Bit different situation to yours, but may help if you havent tried already.

There is a cleaner in Revo uninstaller http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html that runs after the standard cleans called ‘Evidence Remover’. I have no idea what goes on underneath when you exe this cleaner, but it seems to work away for ages on removal duty, so I figured it must do something. And I have noticed some outcomes, so certainly doing something. And no bad outcomes on record that I have seen.

Edit - I imagine if its a laptop that you’ve added up volumes or checked disk management for a hidden partition that to be used for reset to factory defaults - often there is Symantec bundled amongst that lot.

Got this thing fixed, A big thank You to David for telling me about RegSeeker, It found a key that I missed some how and Avast Is installed and running fine.

Thanks to everyone who tried to help, It’s much appreciated.

You’re welcome, RegSeeker is a powerful tool, but in the hands of someone not familiar with the registry, darn dangerous too. like all good tools occasionally you get cut ;D

Can you remember what the key was as it may help others searching for remnants also ?

Sorry David but I didn’t write it down (I know I should have, I’m on pain meds for a kidney stone problem so I’m not 100%) If it happens again (I get 2-3 computers to work on a week) I’ll make sure to keep track of what it removes.

Thanks again for your help.

No problem.

Which is this key? It’s good to know to help other users.

Marc57, I hope you get better of your kidney soon.

Thanks Tech.

Well… I was asking you more info and you just thanked me… Which was that key?

Sometimes i cleaned registry of a program and then later I see another key there. Some installs are real sticky and hard to untangle. Cases where more entries turn up unexpectantly are a bit of a mystery but mostly sorted like where you found the suspect key, deleted, and ran the avast again. Thats what I have found anyway.

But its the AV leftover remnants that cause the problems thats for sure. With most programs a few loose keys and untidy bits are nothing of a problem, but with AV it seems always that there can be problems. Maybe yes, maybe no, but always potential there. And twice as bad with Symantec.,

That question was asked and answered earlier.