Run the program below and see if it gets rid of norton, this program gets rid of all the crap new pc's come with so check it out it should uninstall trial versions of Norton also,

When your done the install AVG. run the set up program again.

Here is a link that might be useful: pcdecrapifier

This version (pcdecrapifier) is focused on removing crap from the latest Toshiba Laptops.

Removed Norton,it's a horrible program.

Paddy..

you may well have to go to the norton site and get the norton removal tool for the version that was on your pc and run that to fully remove it, till you get it all gone other antivirus programs will not install and run properly.

What it removes see link below

Here is a link that might be useful: pcdecrapifier

Zep,
I have a question for you. I don't mean to hijack this thread and let me know if you want me to post on a new one.

I went to the site you linked (pcdecrapifier) since I had removed AOL 9.0 SE a few months ago and wanted to see if I had gotten everything...I thought I remembered there was one file left. I asked it to check for AOL files.

To my surprise (and I was *really* surprised on the porn one!), it came up with the following:

Spyware IEMonster.b Risk - Critical
Zlob,PornAdvertiser.xplisit (!) Risk - High
Trojan.InfoStealer.Banker.s Rick - Medium

I just closed out the site, and then ran Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware with nothing detected on either one. Which do I believe? Should I follow the advice on decrapifier and choose to remove them?

follow the advice on decrapifier and choose to remove them?

follow the advice on decrapifier and choose to remove them for sure.

Sorry about that I left a question mark in the above post.

pfmastin,

Run the online scan below when you get time you will need to do In Internet Explorer it doesn't remove anything but may show things see if you can save a log from it.

You will be promted to install an ActiveX component from Kaspersky, Click Yes.
 The program will launch and then begin downloading the latest definition files:
 Once the files have been downloaded click on NEXT
 Now click on Scan Settings
 In the scan settings make that the following are selected:
o Scan using the following Anti-Virus database:
o Extended (if available otherwise Standard)
o Scan Options:
o [color=green]Scan Archives
Scan Mail Bases
 Click OK
 Now under select a target to scan:
o Select My Computer
 This will program will start and scan your system.
 The scan will take a while so be patient and let it run.
 Once the scan is complete it will display if your system has been infected.
o Now click on the Save as Text button:
Â
Note: To optimize scanning time and produce a more sensible report for review:
 Close any open programs.
 Turn off the real-time scanner of all antivirus or antispyware programs while performing the online scan.

Note for Internet Explorer 7 users: If at any time you have trouble viewing the accept button of the license, click on the Zoom tool located at the bottom right of the IE window and set the zoom to 75%. Once the license is accepted, reset to 100%.

Here is a link that might be useful: Scan

Norton/Symantic is a real B-atch to get rid of but a very good idea to do so...it's crap and like a virus unto itself, you need to uninstall or remove at add/remove programs, download Free Tweak Now Registry Cleaner, run it to get rid of left over crap in registry, then go to My Computer open, then open program files, delete any that say Norton/Symantic and you will finally be rid of it!!
then download AVG Free Home Edition a really great anti virus program...better then Norton or even McAfee...

Using the Norton Removal tool is the recommend way, so before you slam some post down with bad advice think about what you posting.

it is not advised to use registry cleaners unless done so by a professional, stay away from them, the support forums give the same advice on registry cleaners, we see more damage after using them in many cases.

As zep stated the norton removal tool is built just for the specific removal of norton products. Pcdecrapifier is an excellent tool also for removal of the junk that many companies put on new computers that we don't want or need.

Oh cont-rare raven, I have used this a few times, it clearly shows what is safe to remove (in green) and I would not be without it, it is a Free download, not a trial deal, I also have run AVG Free Root Kit, of course did not find a problem. But you can have crap in your registry to cause you problems of course you only remove what is safe to remove, we all know that much, I hope?

Susie,

Never used the application you are referring to so I speak in generalities. That greenlight, yellowlight, redlight system is FAAAAAAR from full proof and you didn't even cite whether or not the application has a backup. However, if you are comfortable and experienced with it please continue to use it.

The problem is here at the forum we have members of various levels of inexperience who at times overly rely on a member's suggestion or from readings elsewhere.

I personally use two registry cleaners and on occasion recommend them but only if a member has a deep seeded desire for them. I don't recommend them for the faint-of-heart for as often as good happens there is the occasional bad experience too. Nothing is full proof.

So all in all I agree with RC and Z.

DA

Susie,

My post was uncalled for I am sorry for being rude to you.

Joe

As I said before this one is so easy to use, it scans shows you exactly what it finds, and shows you what is safe to remove...now what can be easier then that??? you can remove or not your choice...I am not a novice on the PC have helped many, many ppl. even techies, that do this for a living...okay? but I believe in keeping info as simple as is possible, not so complicated as advise I've seen here and other computer forums...anyone can put updates on here or websites for help,that's the easy part, but it is understanding for some people all the gibberish, that they are about to read....have helped a few ppl to get rid of pesty Norton too, and just recently a friend with the worst trojan, I've come across, it installs under the name Windows Virus Scan 360( not a anti virus at all) and there is no uninstall, and not in add/remove programs..it does not allow downloads, it crashes the PC when you try, it's terrible! But I got rid of it over the phone with her son...and after that he ran Tweak Now we downloaded and sure enough it was in the regristry to.

I agree an may look at the program an install it to see it.

Funny thing everyone's posted here but the original topic starter.

Sorry guys- I guess I hit a "hot " button with the Norton question. YOu guys are so helpful. I am going to review all these posts as I have to be honest- I am confused which way to go- many of you had great but different approaches.
At least I found out one thing we all agree on- Norton is evil!!!!
I may not try the registry clean up yet( too much of a rookie) and knowing me- I would screw something up.
Since it is my husband's computer and not mine- so I probably won't do it until this weekend. I had the store remove Norton on mine before i brought it home.

zep, you got off free and clear, not I, not the first time probably won't be the last. Oh well can't please them all. LOL and yes I do have resources to back it up.

Help! My computer is slow! a highly regarded MVP posts about registry cleaner use.

Mark Russinovich (Author of the "Bible", Windows Internals, co-founder of Winternals and Sysinternals, and since both companies were bought by Microsoft, now a senior Microsoft employee)
"I haven't and never will implement a Registry cleaner since it's of little practical use on anything other than Win2K terminal servers and developing one that's both safe and effective requires a huge amount of application-specific knowledge.
Will using Registry Cleaners speed-up my system and make it more reliable?
It will have no effect on system speed. There is an excellent chance it will make your system less reliable."

And the extremely well know Fred Langa
Are software registry cleaners of any use?

Fred Langa started with a standard PC, imaged it, and ran 10 registry cleaners. He ran each three times on an image:

Highest number of items that needed to be "fixed": 800
Lowest number of items found to be "fixed": 59

"Does not this suggest that what needs to be fixed is not at all certain?

The other question it invites is it not possible that those generating a large number of entries are trying to sell snake oil? "

And from Bill Castner MS MVP who works on many of the support forums.
"Summary of Registry Cleaner Software:
Do not bother with this. It it unlikely to help, it can cause harm.
There are no end-user benefits from running registry cleaners. Unnecessary entries in the registry do no harm. This should not be a regular maintenance chore. It most certainly if done should not be automated.
I hold to the singular distinction I made in the beginning: there are times that a fast registry editor with search is needed to fix a single issue under Expert hands. There is no justification for the regular use of automated registry cleaning tools; and as the results above show, they are of dubious merit as the "fix" for even one-off problems that need solving."

Bill Castner
MS-MVP, Aumha VSOP & Moderator

I could certainly go on for quite some time quoting from each of the support forums, but I won't bother.
As DA so wisely stated
"The problem is here at the forum we have members of various levels of inexperience who at times overly rely on a member's suggestion or from readings elsewhere."
That is precisely why at help forums you MUST be extremely cautious what is suggested, and every support forum I work on goes by the statement that Bill Castner made above.

If someone knowingly choses to use such a program they take that risk upon them selves which is fine if they are knowingly entering into it and know the risks involved.

I have removed Norton twice & 1 McAfee today it's not a big deal if you use this Link below, for Norton that's the only way to go.

Norton's an application, registry cleaners don't remove applications (Programs) yes for clean up after but we don't recommend them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Norton removal