Norton AntiVirus and possible Win98 problem

[Tahna Los]

Okie......

A friend has given me his original copy of Norton AV 2000 (he decided to get a different virus scanner, and since I did not have a good one at the time, he gave it to me). Around the same time that I installed it, the following problems seem to pop out of nowhere:

- NAV2000 can't scan cabinets or compressed files. Okay, maybe some zip files, but others can't be scanned for some reason. Locks up the computer almost immediately.
- Around the same time I installed NAV2000, my Scandisk started to act up. It either 1) Freezes, forcing me to reboot, or 2) redoes the scan about 100 times or so.
- Scandisk also never initializes when I boot up my computer after premature shutdown (when you don't shut down using the "Shut Down" command, usually after a Win98 crash).
- Sometimes, the computer can't shut down altogether.

I have uninstalled NAV2000 and reinstalled it only to get the same problems. Also, I have reinstalled Win98 to see if I can restore the ScanDisk problems, but they do not appear to be fixed. It will ONLY be fixed if NAV2000 is uninstalled.

Please do not tell me to format my Hard Drive. Being a college student is not easy with problems like these, you get the picture.

Ideas? Theories? Psychiatric Advice?

[Dunx]

- Sometimes, the computer can't shut down altogether.

I have uninstalled NAV2000 and reinstalled it only to get the same problems.
I've seen that problem with the computer not shutting down when Norton's installed. My solution was just to leave Norton uninstalled.

Sorry I can't be more help.

[Dunx]

I checked back with my friend in Britain who had had this problem, and she told me that the problem went away when the computer was upgraded to a more recent version of Norton.

I've also had tremendous problems with Norton interfering with my use of Windows machines, so I wouldn't recommend it in general anyway.

It depends how much you need virus protection, really.

Can you leave your computer on suspend rather than shutting it down? Would that help?

[Jenny]

If you close NAV before using ScanDisk, this may help - I find it necessary with Norton Internet Security2001, so it may be the same with NAV.

[Tahna Los]

Something else.

A friend also has NAV 2000 on his comp and it works fine, no problems whatsoever. I am most concerned about the problem of NAV 2000 being unable to scan compressed files as I have many of them. His works fine, mine either crashes or hangs.

I also had a trial version of Norton System Works 2000 (NAV and Utilities) which I had for about 30 days. After the trial period, I uninstalled it and installed the NAV2000 original. Perhaps this had something to do with it?

[Tom]

I've used Norton for years - antivirus software is one place you don't want to cut corners. Norton 2001 is a big improvement over 2000; much better/more stable at email scanning, faster, smaller footprint, better auto-update, etc.

I'll bet it's intercepted that new Sircam worm virus 15 times this week for me.

I don't upgrade other software that often, but I always stay on top of antivirus. My advice is to spring for a few bucks and buy the most current verson.

Tom