How to change anti-virus programs ?

[K5RCD]

I have Norton anti virus program on my desktop PC and it is about to expire.

I have Avast free edition anti virus program on my laptop PC and am quite pleased with it. I downloaded it after my laptop took a dump and I had to reinstall everything from scratch.

I want to download the Avast program for the desktop to replace Norton.

Should I download the Norton removal software from Norton website and completely remove Norton BEFORE immediately downloading the Avast program, or is that too risky ?

If I try to download Avast with Norton still in place will Norton create a problem when downloading and installing the Avast program ?

My PC is clean right now and I don't want to risk compromising it.

Thanks.

[k5phw]

Get the Norton off first. ;)

[AB8XA]

Download the program you want to install, SAVING it somewhere instead of running it.

Completely remove Norton.

Run the installation for the antivirus software you downloaded.

[WA9SVD]

[QUOTE=k5rcd;1131446]I have Norton anti virus program on my desktop PC and it is about to expire.

I use S'Norton (Symantec/Norton) Anti-virus or SystemWorks on all my machines, and I have't paid more than state sales tax and letter postage in the last eight years. The secret is to watch the ads for CompUSA (if they are still in your area,) Fry's (ditto,) OfficeMax, Staples, and Office Depot.

They all offer rebates at times that amount to the purchase price, with the benefit of having the latest version of the software. Others sometimes have difficulties, but properly installed on a "clean" (virus free) machine, I've never had problems with any of the S'Norton products since MS-DOS 3.2 days. On the systems that have "SystemWorks," I make sure the Anti-Virus portion is the ONLY part of the program that runs automatically; utilities, etc. only run under manual control when absolutely needed. And I've never lost any data (that I know of) using Speed Disk; in fact, Win95 and Win 98 used a stripped down version as the defragger supplied by Microsoft.

But there should be nothing to "download" from the Symantec site to remove Norton A-V. Use the "Add/Remove Programs" from the Control Panel. And be sure to REBOOT the computer ANY TIME you add or remove software, whether the software recommends it or not; including Norton.
Also, never add more than one piece of software at a time without at least one reboot. (Some [only slightly paranoid] consultants recommend TWO re-boots after a S/W install, particularly if there are setup routines that occur after the first re-boot.)

[KD6NIG]

If you're really paranoid:

1) Download Avast. Download the unistall for Norton.
2) Shutdown.
3) Disconnect whatever internet you're using.
4) Reboot. Uninstall Norton, Install Avast.
5) Shutdown.
6) Re-Enable your internet connection.
7) Reboot and do update on Avast before you do anything else.

This will reduce your risk further. Although I would just run the uninstall, reboot, install, reboot to make sure Avast is enabled.

Oh, and Avast! will do a "boot time" scan when first installed. If you're paranoid-let it do it, and it will clean anything you may have before you get "fully booted" and back on the internet also.

[WA9SVD]

If you're really paranoid:

1) Download Avast. Download the unistall for Norton.
2) Shutdown.
3) Disconnect whatever internet you're using.
4) Reboot. Uninstall Norton, Install Avast.
5) Shutdown.
6) Re-Enable your internet connection.
7) Reboot and do update on Avast before you do anything else.....

What download is needed to remove Norton? I've never had a problem using the "Add/Remove Programs" from the Control Panel, but I haven't used any of the "2008" product versions yet. I'm curious.

[KD6NIG]

They have them in case the "uninstall" file you're supposed to have isn't there for some odd reason.

Usually there is an uninstall and it works, but they do provide uninstall downloads on the site too in case of some oddity. There is also manual instructions if the thing is really jacked up.

Some people try the old "just remove the folder" trick I suppose :)

[K8ERV]

I once bot a Norton AV from a dealer. The price was high, but had a good rebate. There were so many strings on the rebate that I did not qualify. Bummer. I will not have ANY association with Symantec. Think they are the worst company around, and hope they won't be for much longer.

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[KD6NIG]

I switched to Avast mainly because NAV, like many other AV providers has really become bloated and even on faster systems slows them quite considerably.

I guess they figure that with the OS bloating they could get away with it and it would just be blamed on the OS.


They are not even remotely the only ones who charge an arm and a leg though. Ever since the paranoia started about it being a must (which it is, don't get me wrong) the prices have climbed to reflect the paranoia.

[k5phw]

ADD/REMOVE will usually not rid one of Norton. Download the uninstaller. ;)



73 Clyde

[K5RCD]

I did exactly as KD6NIG suggested.

I downloaded the Norton uninstall tool because I really am paranoid.

Norton had created some problems with HRD on my laptop, and after I reformatted the hard drive and reloaded everything I went with Avast and am quite happy with it.

Have Avast up and running on both PCs now and am happy. :)

Thanks to all. :cool:

[WA9SVD]

They have them in case the "uninstall" file you're supposed to have isn't there for some odd reason.

Usually there is an uninstall and it works, but they do provide uninstall downloads on the site too in case of some oddity. There is also manual instructions if the thing is really jacked up.

Some people try the old "just remove the folder" trick I suppose :)

WHAT? You mean they even know how to remove a folder?:rolleyes:

AAAARRRRUUUGGGHJJ! Microshaft strikes again...



Yes, I know, but I thought S'Norton solved that problem. I know that uninstalling previous versions prior to SystemWorks 2003 was a problem (solved by running the next version of the WinDoc utility) but since 2003, I haven't had a problem with removing previous versions to install the next.
Guess at least S'Norton finally recognized uninstall they recommended before an install of a new version could still leave detritus of the previous version.

Well, at least they provide a way to get rid of the C***. (CRUD, that is.)


Thanks for the explanation. I'll make note if I ever run into the problem again.