If I were doing it as I have done it on my systems and those of several others, after using the appropriate tool as RC recommends I would do a START>Search using the keywords independently "Norton" and "Symantec" (sans quotes) to look for the seemingly always present orphan files. Then I would do a "Scan for Issues" using CCleaner's Registry Tool. On the report I would remove anything related to Norton and Symantec. Be sure to permit a backup when asked for permission to do so. (This is one of the rare times I recommend using a registry tool.) AS RC reported Norton can be a bugger to remove completely. DA

Junita, Please comnsider easing into this. By your description, your new system is extremely powerful and has an abundance of available rsources. Could it be that your haste and concern in paring all your targets is a byproduct of your previous system? I personally tended to act that way when I purchased the new one. I haven't read any reports of great concern with the Vista firewall. It is bi-directional and apparently works adequately. I left my Windows Defender enabled and update it regularly. Again from what I read it performs more than adequately. With a new quad core system resources and power are more than plentiful to run it in the background. I took Norton off the first day. If you feel it is indeed necessary to modify your startup below are a few links which may assist you. http://www.answersthatwork.com/ http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php DA

Owbist, thanks I do like the fast boot on W8 - even with the switch to Desk Top, which to my simple needs is like being back in W7, it is a much shorter wait to start browsing or getting email. Mikie, not sure I "know and love" playing with the BIOS, but in the past I have had occasions to need to. Mostly that goes back to W95 days. Or even the 3.x whatever was before '95. You seem to be suggesting a 3rd party recovery tool. As I noted Gateway provides a tool to image the HDD as well as restore to factory fresh - as I have already uninstalled Norton I assume that would be Factory Fresh less Norton which is fine with me. What I miss was W7 had a DVD boot capability and Toshiba provided me with the tools to create a repair DVD, separate from a restore DVD... I liked that, it prevented me form doing damage by clicking on the wrong button. I suppose the Gateway restore doesn't proved direct access to F8. I do recall tapping F8 during a boot in XP and earlier to get into the BIOS..you seem to be saying (to my reading) that W8 doesn't let one get to the BIOS until the password is satisfied. I don't know if that is different in W7, I have never gone to the BIOS in my W7 machines. I have had to boot the Toshiba notebook off of the Repair DVD a couple of times and it saved my "bacon". On Password, in W7 I could easily change or remove the password.. that seems to be buried deeper in W8. Is it even possible to run W8 without an administrative password protected logon? My giant 17.3" Gateway will likely not be taken out of the house, a password isn't needed - well if a crook breaks into my house it would be better if I has some protection on all computers... problem is W8 ended up with a very complicated password that resulted from my initial start up of the machine..as I recall it had something to do with a password for my Microsoft account, and being external I wanted a secure PW, in fact MS may have required it.

" The anti-virus company bearing his name was acquired by Intel for $7.68 billion in 2010, but McAfee has not been affiliated with it for more than 20 years. He says he has been forced to work on multiple film and book projects to make a living." I have no problem using McAffee. It comes with my internet provider and has saved my computer many times. I also don't care what he may or may not have done in his life, as there has not been any proof. I watched a story about the murder quite some time ago. I refuse to use a "free" online anti virus (yes, mine is technically free, but the cost is in my monthly bill payment to my internet provider). And will never buy Norton after we spent about $100 on it, then a week later got a virus so bad, my son couldn't get his computer to turn on and Norton refused to help. I love the fact that computer companies can remotely help you with your computer. You just sit back and watch the mouse do this and that and next thing you know, voila! Your computer is in perfect running condition. I think it comes in especially handy for people who are not computer savvy. Our head office often uses it on my computer at work. I will explain everything I've done and they still insist on me connecting them, so they can do what I did and it doesn't work for them either..... snicker.. Here is a link that might be useful: The Interview of McAffee (if you're interested. If not...scroll on by. ) :)