Computer not running properly after installing Norton 360

[mims24]

Hi all,
I bought my computer about 3 months ago

Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_qfe.070227-2300)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: powerspec
System Model: E361
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU    Q6700  @ 2.66GHz (4 CPUs)
Memory: 3322MB RAM
Page File: 203MB used, 5002MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

It came with 3 (free) months of ESET NOD32 Antivirus software.
Well the trial ran out, and one of my friends told me that I should use Norton Antivirus software it was the best.

Anyway I went to the Symantec Norton site and started downloading Norton 360. When it looked like it was about done installing, my computer froze.
I didn't want to reboot it right away (maybe it was still in the process) so I left it for a couple of more hours.
(till morning actually)

Anyway it was still frozen, saying it was downloading software.
So I restarted it,, logged back in, and it froze again.

I then went into Safe mode, went into add/remove and uninstalled it.

Two files were in the add/remove section.
One of the files removed, but another
(i think it was Norton update) said it couldn't uninstall, or something like that) said it couldn't, (some error)

So I went into the search option, and started deleting anything that was related to Symantec Antivrus..etc..
Some files would delete, some wouldn't  delete (prompting an error)

Anyway I got as much as I could and then logged back in Normally (mode)
Now it's not not freezing up anymore, but it looks like its trying to load Norton still.
Little messages popping up saying Norton looking for updates- then error.  Norton looking for plug in - then error.

Thing aren't running properly now in normal mode (i.e. cant get on internet, cant run batch render in 3d software..etc)
Should I have uninstalled the other Antivirus software before installing a different one? (conflict)

Sorry about the long rant but the question I'm getting to is:
Should I take my computer to someone professionally?
Or is there a way to get all of this Norton software out of my computer that I don't know about?


Thanks for any help.

Mike.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Argh.......Norton.......and Norton 360......
(In my opinon, the best Norton Product was Norton 2003. 360 was is Horrible when I had it)

Follow these steps to remove Norton Completely:
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,34939.0.html

[mims24]

Wow great GX1_Man,
I'm going to give it a shot and I'll get back to you to give the results.

Thanks.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Good Luck!

If you want, there are many Free Antiviruses that are highly recommended in the Forums.
From the top of my head, there is AntiVir, AVG and Avast!

In fact, here is a link to many more:
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,16182.html

[mims24]

Hey thanks Carbon!
It's running great now, this is a big relief (whew)

Now i'm going to check out those free Antiviruses you recommended.
Any one in particular you would go with? I don't know squat about what I need and what I don't need (spy/malware.. firewalls..etc)

Is there one that does it all?

Thanks again.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Not sure what I would recommend actually.  

If I had to choose right now, It would be AVG Free because I have had experience with them in the past. However, that was before Version 8. I heard there are some update problems, I'm not so sure.

Anyways, you can try them out and see which one(s) you like. They are much much easier to uninstall if you don't like them. 
(it's not recommended you have two of the same type of products like two antivirus or two antispyware programs)

[mims24]

Thanks Carbon,
can I ask what Antivirus you use if you don't mind. 

(maybe i'll  just go with that)

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

(maybe i'll  just go with that)

Going to be expensive: Kaspersky Anti Virus.

I have a friend down at the computer store who sold it to me with a major discount. 

However I have several other computers I use for "experiments" and they (well two of them) have AVG on them.

[mims24]

Thanks for all the help Carbon

Regards,

Mike.

[SuperDave]

I would recommend Avast. You have to register it but it's good for 14 months and updates at least twice a day.

[Broni]

- Avira free antivirus: http://www.free-av.com/en/download/index.html
or
- Avast! free antivirus: http://filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/
Avoid AVG 8.0.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Avoid AVG 8.0.

Recent update problem, right?

[JJ 3000]

Make sure you uninstall  ESET NOD32 Antivirus  before you add a new antivirus program. Having two antivirus programs on that machine is probably what made it crash in the first place.

[Broni]

Recent update problem, right?

Not really. AVG 8.0 has been having continues problems since it was introduced. One problem after another. I stopped recommending it from the very beginning.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Recent update problem, right?

Not really. AVG 8.0 has been having continues problems since it was introduced. One problem after another. I stopped recommending it from the very beginning.

Hmmm....Seems ok on my computer, but all right.