Norton Anti-Virus: I Think I Have Been Shafted

[Tom Saurus]

I went to a local merchant the second week of April of this year and noticed a Norton Anti-Virus 2007 disc on sale. I already had Norton installed on my system, actually it was installed on May 17th, 2007 and it just ran out. The 2007 disc was on sale for $29.99 and the salesman told me that all I had to do was install it and dispite it being a 2007 disc, it would be good for 12 months from the date I intalled it.

I have run across some problems. First being that the Product Key that came up on the screen does not match the Product Key that is on the yellow sticker that is non the CD sleeve. Second Norton is saying my subscription is run out.

I am thinking I should take this back to the store where I bought it and try to get my money back. I would of just renewed my subscription over the internet with Symantic, but like so many other companies all they are interested is those individuals with Credit Cards. I would of gladly sent a money order. Hopefully the store will give me a refund, I still have my receipt. If they don't give me a refund, I will purchase the 2008 disc from some other place, even if I have to go to the big city to get it, and I will not do business we these people again.

I feel like a fool, and maybe I should try a free anti-virus program, but I do like how Norton works, I trust it. If anyone has any advice, thank you in advance.

[offline]

...the salesman told me that all I had to do was install it and dispite it being a 2007 disc, it would be good for 12 months from the date I intalled it.

That is correct.

...the Product Key that came up on the screen does not match the Product Key that is on the yellow sticker

My guess is that it might be finding your old product key - in other words your previous copy of Norton might not have been removed fully before installing the newer bought version. Does this sound like it could be the case?

I am thinking I should take this back to the store where I bought it and try to get my money back.

Perhaps you could try giving them a call first. They might be happy to help.

[guns1inger]

First, try using the Norton's Remover at Symantec, then run CCleaner. Then try re-installing. If it still fails, get your money back and spend it on NOD32 instead.

[Ethlred]

Tom Saurus

The 2007 disc was on sale for $29.99 and the salesman told me that all I had to do was install it and dispite it being a 2007 disc, it would be good for 12 months from the date I intalled it.

Will wonders never cease? A salesman getting something right. However what the heck was that store doing with a 2007 version? 2008 came out in late October 2007.


offline

Perhaps you could try giving them a call first. They might be happy to help.

Maybe. Depends on if anyone there has a clue. Call the store I work at and you are unlikely to get much help except from me. The rest of the software department just doesn't know enough, though they might take a message for me to call you. Its really Norton's job to help you. They claim to be trying to improve their service. I sure hope so based on all the FUD I hear.

I agree that its likely Norton was showing you your old key especially since it was the same 2007 version of NAV. Give it the key on the new package. That should take care of it.

Then update that sucker and make bloody sure your running the 2008 version afterwards. Its much faster based on the reviews I have seen and on my PC the Internet Security 2008 is quite acceptable in its speed and resource use. (Caveat - I sell software and got a free license - however I would have canned the thing if it anywhere near as bad as some claim. Free just isn't that important.)

[Tom Saurus]

guns1inger: I followed your directions and downloaded the removal tool from Symantec. It seemed to be remove everything. Then I ran CCleaner. Then I re-installed my Norton CD. The final step shows the same product key that I used to have. I tried to type in my new key and it wouldn't allow me to. I will give it another try, but things do not look good. For all I know if I get the 2008 disc, if I get my money back for this one, it won't work either. Thank you for your advice. Thank you as well to "offline" and "Ethlred". It was kind of you all, to take the time to give me some advice.

[Noahtuck]

I basically had the same problem not long ago.

After running the Norton Removal Tool it kept showing my old Key, so i ran it again, same thing..

I always set my folder options to "show hidden files and folders", AH HAH!!!!!!!!!

I then did a search after using the NRT for any files and folders with the name "norton" & then "symantec"

I found folders and txt files in other places that the tool did not remove, one txt file had my old key listed in it.
After deleting these other items the NRT missed, i had no problems installing. 8)

[bevills1]

I recommend returning it even if you get it to work, and switch to Avast that's my personal favorite or AVG both of which are free downloads. Norton is just too bloated and uses too much resources IMO.

[MOVIEGEEK]

I recommend returning it even if you get it to work, and switch to Avast that's my personal favorite or AVG both of which are free downloads. Norton is just too bloated and uses too much resources IMO.

+1
Avast(free) is a better product and you only have to register it once,you then get free daily updates for life.

[Tom Saurus]

Noahtuck: I followed your instructions and I ended up with the same results as before. I think is something about the software automatically checking my symantec account and grabbing the key from there. I am going to uninstall it and try the Avast software that "bevills1" and "MOVIEGEEK" are recommending. I am going to try to get my money back and if I am given a hard time, I am taking my business elsewhere. I bought this at the local Source by Circuit City formally known as Radio Shack Canada associate store. Atleast I kept the receipt, so that should help. Once again thank you to everyone who gave me advice on this issue. It was kind of you to take the time to answer my questions and to respond to this topic.

[Noahtuck]

Noahtuck: I followed your instructions and I ended up with the same results as before. I think is something about the software automatically checking my symantec account and grabbing the key from there.

Huh... you should be able to call symantec and get it fixed, there must be a 1-800 # in the packaging.

[Tom Saurus]

Noahtuck: The 1-800 number must be buried in the CD somewhere because it is not in the packaging I got with this. The package is a see through plastic sleeve with a paper disc package in side with a see through plastic window and on the back of that is my registration key. There is a paper card called "Certificate Of Authenticity" and another card bragging about their product but not a contact number on them anywhere.

I have installed the Avast Anti Virus Free Edition and registered it with my real name and email address and I am trusting they are not going to share that information or abuse my trust in them. I did write them a note while registering that if I was pleased with the free software that I might at some point purchase the Professional Version; but that is on the privasel that they will bend enough to take a money order.

Thank you for your additional advice; it is appreciated.

[Noahtuck]

If you go here,

http://www.symantec.com/feedback/contactus.jsp

Select your product, then select Contact a Symantec Support Representative, it will take you to a 24/7 online free support chat.

It definately seem's like even on their site it's a b!tch to find an actual service number

Oop's....

On the live chat page there is a link for their number...
http://www.symantec.com/norton/support/productdetail/contact_ts.jsp?pvid=nav_2007

But it seem's they call you when you want or somehow get a number to call them
https://www.suth.com/symantec/CreateOnlineTicket.asp

What a bunch of monkey F'n around

EDIT:
Found this number with a google search...

Symantec hanndles technical support through their customer service
department accessible at the following number:

1-800-441-7234

You must cycle through their automated menus initially, but will be
given the option to talk to a a technical support representative who
may assist you. They say they offer technical support for the
installation and use of their products.

[jman98]

Friends don't let friends use Norton for anything except maybe Ghost. Get your money back.

I'd recommend AVG. You can either buy their commercial product or you can get the free version somewhere at download.com. http://www.grisoft.com is the main AVG website. Do not attempt to get the free version there. They'll give it to you, but you have no choice but to agree to 1 of 6 "offers" they have , all of which will involve you spending money with someone or else having to agree to a free trial of something that you'll have to try to cancel later. Better to get the free version unencumbered at download.com (search for "AVG free" there).

Avast (http://www.avast.com) is free and they don't play games with you if you want the free version, but I think AVG is better. You can also buy Avast if you wish.

[TBoneit]

By chance did that package also say for use with new computers? The physical description you've given sounds like the OEM NAV 2007 and not the retail package.

[Tom Saurus]

TBoneit: Yes it does say "For Distribution Only With A New PC or Hardware Peripheral". When I bought this I told the guy that I already had Norton on my computer and that I liked it and wanted to continue using it. So he said just put this on when your other runs out and it will be good for a year. So it looks like I bought the wrong disc for my needs. I hope they give me a refund. This originally retailed for $39.99, and by April of 2008 when I bought it, the price was reduced to $29.99 Thank you for your input.

Noahtuck: Thank you for all that work you put into finding that 1-800 number. It was kind of you to go to all that effort. I think I will stick with Avast for awhile and see if I can get a refund for this Norton disc.

jman98: Thank you for your advice. I will keep it in mind.

[Ethlred]

Quite a few recommendations for AVG free.

Don't.

Its a BAD idea.

Not that its bad software, its that is anti-virus ONLY. No anti-trojan, no-anti-rootkit, and not a jot of anti-spyware.

Now it you use other stuff with AVG free you can protect your pc but no one mentioned that. Most of what is on the net is spyware not viruses. You MUST have anti-spyware or a well honed sense of danger. Better yet both. Add in Firefox with no-script and you can walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Porn and fear no evil. Well until you allow scripting on the wrong site.

About once a week someone tells me they had problem on their PC that was spyware induced and they say they were surprised because they had AVG.

"AVG free?"

"Why yes."

Even the full version can miss things. I allowed a ActiveX program to execute thinking that my new demo version of AVG Internet Security would catch the thing. Nope. Not even while the extortion site kept popping up every 30 seconds or so. I shut down the firewall and that stopped the pop-ups but even a full scan couldn't see the malware. Spybot saw it but failed to remove it. I found a specialized tool at MajorGeeks. Very good site for anti-malware.

[bevills1]

My AVG experience is similar to Ethlred. Several years ago I began using AVG until I learned about Avast. I gave Avast a try, and it found 4 malwares AVG missed. I switched to Avast immediately and have never looked back.

[TBoneit]

BTW as I understand it the new AVG free 8 does do spyware too. I seem to recall installing it and it wanted to uninstall the AVG antispyware.

[RickA]

Greets,

I'll second guns1inger's advice and suggest using NOD32 for your anti-virus needs.

Cheers,
Rick

[lordsmurf]

Some of the "malwares" that other AV's find is false alarms, and you're deleting/"healing" something for no reason.

I've seen no proof that AVG is anything but excellent.

The one thing that can be said for sure, is that McAfee and Norton are system hogs, up to 10% CPU (more for RAM, sometimes!), whereas something like AVG, Avast, etc are more streamlined and minimalist on the computer. It's not got the negative side effects of the bloatware companies.

[Tom Saurus]

RickA: I think I might try NOD32. They have a Canadian Division and looking through their FAQ section as far as payment method is concerned, they indicate they are open to other methods of payment other than a credit card number.

I used to use a program called "Luke Filewalker" a few years back. It used to me very light on system resources, and it worked great on the computer I had with Windows 98 on it. Once I got a computer with Windows XP the program didn't work properly, and I had to abandon it and I used McCafee on that computer. I remember using AVG in the past, but the computer I used it on, became very sluggish with it running on it. But this was that Windows 98 computer with a 800mhz processor.

[Ai Haibara]

I used to use a program called "Luke Filewalker" a few years back. It used to me very light on system resources, and it worked great on the computer I had with Windows 98 on it. Once I got a computer with Windows XP the program didn't work properly, and I had to abandon it and I used McCafee on that computer. I remember using AVG in the past, but the computer I used it on, became very sluggish with it running on it. But this was that Windows 98 computer with a 800mhz processor.

I believe you're thinking of Avira Antivir - the scanning process uses that name, as I recall. But I never had a problem like that using it with XP. In fact, I'm using Antivir on two XP systems and Vista at the moment. I'd be using it on my Win98 tower as well (and used to, before they overhauled the program, after which it took quite a bit more resources), but it's low on resources.

[Ethlred]

I've seen no proof that AVG is anything but excellent.

Well at least very good. That is for the package or if a person makes sure they have an effective anti-spyware.

The one thing that can be said for sure, is that McAfee and Norton are system hogs, up to 10% CPU (more for RAM, sometimes!)

Not true. At least for Norton. I haven't tried McAfee as its quite clear that its hard to get rid of. Check the PC World review. NOT the conclusions which are not trustworthy based on past reviews but the actual data. As far as I can tell Norton is only taking a few megs of ram most of the time on my system right now. It does go up when executing the weekly scans of course but you are supposed to schedule those for when you aren't doing anything.

I benchmarked my system with 3DMark 2003 and PCMark 2004 before and after.

3DMark was actually trivially faster with Norton. Doesn't say much for the XP firewall that I had as my only protection before installing Norton.

PCMark was 2.5 percent slower WITHOUT bothering to reboot like I had for the first run. After a reboot to match the first run it came out to 1.5 percent slower.

Admittedly these aren't the best benchmarks and your mileage may vary. Every review I have seen says that Norton is much faster this year. Of course Norton has done this before. That is noticed it was catching a lot of flack and fixed things up. The question is will they continue to behave themselves or slack off yet again.

[budz]

Which is why I gave Norton up many, many moons ago! I used it when I began using computers back in the mid 1990's and it was always a resource hog. Long Live the freeware AVG & AVAST. I have more than one spyware program along with windows defender. In this day and age you need more than one spyware program. No one program will get all the spyware. Just my 2 cents!

[dcsos]

Use windows for editing & encoding and open the browsers on the Mac side only!
No Virus as a result (typed on my iBook while Vegas 8 crunches files on the dual core -which does run AVG-free-behind me)

[Tom Saurus]

I phoned the store where I bought the Norton 2007 disc and the guy I bought it from said he would supply me with a Norton Anti-Virus 2008 disc once I return this one, and I will not have to pay and additional amount of money to get it. So hopefully that disc will work and I will have Norton again on my system.

[Tom Saurus]

A friend took me up town today and I returned the Norton 2007 Anti-Virus and they exchanged it for a 2008 disc. I pointed out that it says to put it on a new computer, but they said it would work anyway on my existing computer and I had to pay an additional ten dollars. I told them if it didn't work that I am returning it. I will try installing it later today and make a post about how it all turned out.

When Norton updated itself about a week or so ago, I did like the new interface. It seemed to be an inprovement over what they had before. But my subscription ran out, before I got to use it very much. Hopefully this 2008 disc will work.

[Tom Saurus]

I just installed Norton Anti-Virus 2008 and everything worked just great. It allowed me to put in the activation key and now it is up and running. Thank you to everyone for all the advice. I unistalled Avast and I am going to put into on my P4 computer, hopefully that will go alright as well.