[haroldlee]

Hello. I have a program Secunia that informs me that I have outdated files
on my D Drive in Windows XP. I would like to remove that item. When I go to D
drive, I am informed that it is locked. How do I unlock it? Is there a
certain procedure that I use to delete the file? I am warned that to remove
or change any files may give me problems if I want to use restore. It
doesn't appear to me that taking out some free try Norton would be a problem.

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi :



By your Post I can NOT tell IF you are trying to "Delete" some "File(s)" and/or "Uninstall" a

"Program" !? IF it is just "file(s) you are trying to "Delete", I recommend you try the FREE

"Unlocker" program from ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker . IF you are trying to "Uninstall" a

program, One starts by looking for the program in either "Add or Remove Programs" or

"All Programs" section of your computer . IF you are trying to "Remove" a Norton program,

you start with the "usual" "Uninstallation" process, then use the "Norton Removal Tool"

that is found on several websites .

[haroldlee]

Thank you SpiritWind for your answer. I will expand on my situation.

I want to remove a program: Symantec Norton Personal Firewall 2004 contained in d:i386APPS1317setupiscommonappalertast.exe

I tried Unlocker. It did not work. In reading about unlocker, I got the idea it was for files and folders and might
not be for a Drive.

I have a Gateway 842GM Media Center Computer. I understand that my D Drive is only for restoration. Anytime I restore,
it will install the old outdated programs that I no longer want to use nor want that company to update on my C Drive.
The programs that it installs on my C Drive, I have removed. I have examined my registry and removed all information
pertaining to Symantec but it also must pertain to C Drive only.

My concern with removing this item is security. I understand that having outdated programs on a computer can be a
security problem (Secunia PSI). Secunia does have an Ignore setting but strongly advises not to use it but I have used it anyway. I am now
beginning to believe that if the unlocking of a locked D Drive is such a problem for me then it would also be a problem
for any kind of virus and that I should forget it. What are your thoughts on that?

[SpiritWind]

Hi :

Since your D Drive is for "Restoration" , have you "Restored" your computer in the Past

which is WHY the Norton Firewall APPEARS to be there !? Trying the simplest first, I

recommend you try the following in sequence :

1) Running the Norton Removal Tool which is at www.majorgeeks.com/Norton[uRemoval[/u]ToolSymNRTd4749.html] .

2) Running the FREE program at [http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/]

3) Using the FREE "Revo Uninstaller" at [http://www.revounistaller.com/] .

I am an Advocate of Secunia's Software Inspector, but since some have reported

problems with their "PSI" program, I recommend uninstalling that program and

instead run their Online Scanner at [http://secunia.com/software_inspector] .

I ran a Google "Search" on " d:i386APPS1317setupiscommonappalertast.exe"

and nothing came up ; however, a "Search" of "alertast.exe" revealed it is part of

Norton Internet Security . Is the latter what was on your computer ?

[haroldlee]

Hello. It is difficult to answer just what is on my D drive as it is locked and I can not see
what is there. Secunia says that it is there. I have Revo Unistaller. It nor my control panel
show it as installed. It evidently is parked on my D drive much as
other programs that I have are on CDs that I have are in my desk. Not installed but would be installed
when I restore.

I have run the Norton removal tool and as it is not "installed" on my
computer C drive, it is not shown there either. It appears to me that I would have to unlock my D
drive to see just what is there. I have in the past "restored" my computer on several
occassions. I did not then have secunia to tell me that it was there and a security threat.

If I run the secunia.com/software_inspector, will it tell me more than the PSI?
The Norton Internet Security and Norton antivirus were among several try for awhile programs
that came bundled with the computer.I bought this computer in Oct 2005. As far as I can tell
there has been no virus that has entered into D drive.

As the programs on the D Drive are not installed but there as a .exe and uninstalled, could they be a threat?

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi :



I doubt Secunia's Online Software Inspector will tell you "More" than their PSI . At this point

I feel your questions would be better answered by a certified, Volunteer "Microsoft Most

Valuable Professional(s)" that can be found on the Support Forums at aumha.net .

IF you start a Thread there, it seems wise to make a Reference to what we have discussed

here, so the same "ground" is NOT covered .