[rainbowranchtx]

I have a 3 computer site license or 360 and have it installed in 1 computer so far. That one runs Vista the others are XP.

I have been on chat and the phone with Norton for hours and they have done remotes three times on my computer. They can't get 360 to install and run.

Between us we have installed, uninstalled and reinstalled 7 times but they can't seem to get it through their heads that we're doing the same thing ove and over.

The definition of crazy is repeating an action and expecting different results .

I finally had to restore a backup of my C drive because my computer was so messed up that if I right clicked anywhere in an Explorer window it would crash. I even had a blue screen once which I haven't seen since XP. long with other problems all appearing since I first tried to install 360.

The last phone call with them ended with the tech saying that he had to send this to research and someone would get back to me in 48 hours that was Saturday and I haven't heard a thing since.

I get a desktop icon after install but if I click on it I get a window with an error message. One was 8500,105 which doesn't seem to exist in their message list another was 8504,4 which I get most often and the other I forget. The program does not open.

Anyone got any ideas? I'm fresh out. At least my computer is working again thanks to the backup.

[Flashorn]

Hey Rainbow !!



Welcome to PCWorld Community !



Well, to tell you the truth , you didn't come to right forum for any sympathy

for any of Norton's products. We do not advise members to add suites to their

mix of security programs.



It is well known that Norton , McAfee and the likes , do not completely protect you.

These suites might be good at one thing while the lack of protection in other areas

is obvious. Plus , with the heavy use of your system's resources , it will bog down

or Slow your PC considerably .



To have a all around protection , you would need a "Layered Approach" .This

method of protection is by far the best you can get. This method entails having

the best standalone security programs ( AntiVirus , AntSpyware , Firewall , Browser Protection )

and at the same time needing the least resources.



There are quite a few Free alternatives that are known to protect you Better than

the paid for programs. You could do yourself a favor by directing your attention

and reading what Gizmo's Tech Support alert has to offer.( click on the blue words)



First, I must ask if you have re-installed or tried to re-install Norton 360 on any of your PCs ?



FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
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[rainbowranchtx]

I have it installed on one pc have not retriedto install it on the other 2 yet.

[MichaelYork]

Hi rainbowranchtx,

This is Mike from the Norton Authorized Support Team.

I apologize that your issue did not get resolved via Symantec's Chat service, and I would like to help you resolve this issue. Since you mention that the technicians had removed and reinstalled Norton 360 many times, it appears that you may have an infection that is causing this problem.

The first step I would advise you to take is to run Windows Update to make sure that you have all of the available patches applied. After you complete this step, please run the Norton Security Scan on your system to check for infections.

Free Norton Security Scanner

The next step in the process will be to carefully follow the instructions in the following document. The instructions in this document also have you remove and reinstall Norton, but also contain other steps to follow which will hopefully resolve the issue.

Error: (8504,4): I cannot start Norton 360 Version 3.0 even after I restart the computer

If the instructions in the document above still do not resolve the issue, please carefully follow the instructions in the following document.

Error: (8504,4): I cannot start Norton 360 Version 3.0 even after I restart the computer: Solution 2

If you are still unable to get Norton 360 installed correctly, please let me know. Also, please make note of any infections that are found as well as any error messages you receive.

Thank you,

Mike

Michael York
Norton Authorized Support Team
Symantec Corporation
service.symantec.com/priority

[drmsucks]

Mike - Seems nice of you to try to help rainbow but this thread does not appear to be a good advertisement for Norton products or support. C'mon, Mike, rainbow said that your people had him re-install 7 times (and had three remote access sessions with his computer) and with their counsel and/or manipulation of his system themselves, managed to force him to re-install Vista just so that he could use his computer. I don't detect any hyperbole from rainbow, so, I'll take him at his word - 7 times. And, now, your solution is to check his Windows updates and conduct an online scan? Gimme a break. While yours is certainly a reasonable suggestion, does it not surprise you that this was not suggested during one of the previous 7 re-installs? This sort of "support" is absolutely disgusting.
Fifteen years ago, or so, I used Norton Utilities - a suite of programs that was without peer. I followed that up with Norton AV programs until I had to quit in 2002 or 2003 because the AV program became so bloated and inefficient that it bogged my computer down hopelessly. Since then, I've used only freeware applications (currently Avast!) and have not had a virus infection since switching. And, by the way, if I want to uninstall Avast!, I simply do it - no running around all over the internet to find a confusing "Removal Tool" - oh, "be careful, this tool removes all Symantec products so kiss your Act goodbye." Ridiculous. Unfortunately, Symantec has followed the Product Excellence to Marketing BS curve with a perfect fit.



Rainbow - My suggestion to you is to get rid of Norton, get a refund and go with the layered approach suggested by Flashorn. (By the way, even if you cannot get a refund, dump Norton - you'll be many gray hairs ahead of the game!) For what it's worth, my protection is as follows: Avast! (av and anti-spyware/adware), Windows Defender (anti-spyware/adware, rogue program protection), Spyware Terminator (anti-spyware/adware), and SpywareBlaster (non-resource using rogue site browser protection). I use Windows firewall, but, if you want outgoing protection (and don't want to srew with setting up Vista's firewall for outgoing protection, I recommend Commodo.) Gizmo's list, referenced above has many other program choices.

[rainbowranchtx]

I appreciate the responses but they don't solve my problem. I have gone the way of using separate programs. Zonealarm, AVG etc but right now need to get control of everything on this network with something that is centralized and common to all so 360.

At this point 360 is working on one computer and works on the second only if I log out and log back in then all is fine. Norton engineering is working on this which they call machine specific. Haven't tried installing it further until this is resolved.

I'm going to look at Mikes solution #2 because I have already done the scansand been found clean and my windows update is automatic and I also do one manually once a week.

Will keep this posted and close it when it's resolved.

[drmsucks]

Rainbow - Looks like you're at least 9 days into trying to get Norton to work; you get an A for determination!



Best of luck.

[rainbowranchtx]

Well, looks like y'all win.

I finally gave up on Norton ever solving my problem and am getting a full refund and so I will have to try out some of the suggestions you sent me for other software to protect my computers.

If the ultimate definition of insanity is repeating the same act over and over and expecting different reulsts then those people in INdia are insane. Over 16 times they installed, uninstalled and reinstalled Norton 360 and guess what -- same results every time. They did get it to work but only if, after a startup, I logged off then logged back in to the same account. Worked fine then. Never got past that stage and when they left me I am still trying to get my NVidia cpl to work. Apparently got messed up whle they had control of the computer.

Wrote a letter to the CEO of Symantec telling him about this but don't expect anything from him. I do plan on spreading this as much as I can though.

Somewhere along the way I downloaded and installed IE 8 but it crashes whenever I try to open it. Don't know if this has anything to do with the 360 problem but no solution form Microsoft yet either. Have gone back to IE 7 which works fine although I use Firefox normally.

Oh well. Here I go trying to get some other software for my firewall, a/v, spyware etc.

Thanks

[Flashorn]

Hey rainbow !!


Sorry you had to go through all that trouble but, sometimes you just have

to try. Nothing like experimenting ! It's also not about winning, it's about

helping. !http://forums.pcworld.com/message/208971/!!



Now, if you would like to replace the Noron Suite with Free alternative that

DO work well, I can suggest a few good applications for you.



First , I assume that you did run their Uninstall tool to get all of 360 off your

PC. Norton Uninstall Tool .



The first app. would be a good firewall , especially for XP since it is a one way

firewall. Vista's OTH , is a two way firewal and is fine if you are connected to a

Router.



For XP I would recommend the Free version of Online Armor . Obviously , the Paid version

will do more but, this is sufficient protection for XP coupled with other security

programs which I shall post.



For Vista , if not behind a Router then , we usually suggests Disabling the Vista's

firewall and installing PCTools Firewall Plus .As all firewalls, this too

is a learning application and a certain time is needed for the firewall to Learn to

"Allow" the programs that need internet access. This process will take the time needed

for you to Allow or Deny those applications when asked by the Firewall. This is the one I use

in Vista.



For the AntiVirus App. we have two suggestions. Both of which are free.The first that most

of the regulars on this board use is Avast Free . I have not personally

tried this one as I use the other one we recommend which is Avira AntiVir Free .



For the Antispyware we have two that we also recommend as either ON Demand scanners or the paid

versions with Full Shields . MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is one and the other

is SUPERAntiSpyware . This is the only one I would

recommend you buy because of it's Real Time Shields. Again , in Vista , this is the one I use.



There are two other security programs which , IMO, are also very useful for your Windows protection and

your browser's protection.



WinPatrol will detect any changes to the Kernel and ask if these changes are

Supposed to happen. You then have the opportunity to veryify the process and then Allow or Deny the change.



Spywareblaster by Javacool will work in the background

and stop any Spyware trying to install through browser exploit.



All of these security programs have a Paid For version but, in most cases , the free version will do

what it is intended to do. And that is , to provide adequate protection without cost.



Also all , with the exception Online Armor Firewall , will work with either XP or Vista.



It would also be of value to read about them Before you download and install any of

these programs.



When you are ready to install Any of these programs and espcially the AntiVirus and Firewall ,

BE SURE to Download what you need and THEN go OFF LINE to install those programs.

You can always update the definitions After you have installed OFF LINE.



If you have any more questions , post back and we will do our best to answer your concerns.



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[rainbowranchtx]

I have not uninstalled 360 yet but I will probably work on it this weekend. The tip about installing offline is a good one.

I have already downloaded most of what you recommend and I have been sing Winpatrol for a long time now and would not be without it. I will also try some of thr other apps you recommend.

Thanks I will post how I make out later.

[drmsucks]

Rainbow - LOL - God love ya! You certainly gave them a chance! My anti-malware suggestions are in the last paragraph of #4 above. As you probably know: a) you MUST run the Norton Removal Tool before installing another AV program and b) do NOT run more than one real-time anti-virus program but c) a couple of real-time anti-spyware/adware programs are recommended.



Best of luck!

[Flashorn]

Hey rainbow !!



Just make sure you understand what these apps. are all about before you install

If you have any questions or don't understand what one will do then, post and ask !!



After you uninstall Norton by going to the Add / Delete and THEN using the removal tool

it would be a good idea to Re-Boot and Clean the Temps Files left by the Uninstaller.

We recommend and use this app, ATF Cleaner . It is safe to use in XP and Vista. The page will say "For 2000 and XP" but the new version downloaded by the RED link

is the updated version and safe for Vista also.



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