Norton uses read this! (your firewall may not be safe)

Deltree, thank you for your replies! Would you believe it, I no longer get the General Protection Fault message at the start of Windows! I downloaded & installed new NAV virus definitions today and after I did that, I quit getting that fault message. Maybe that was what fixed it or maybe it's because today was the second time I've run Live Update since the "Symantec Common Driver" update. I think I remember reading that you have to run Live Update once or twice after certain program updates, before a change is fully implemented. I'll go over my Norton material to find out about that. At any rate, no more "General Protection Fault" message! Regards, Ex-eastcoaster.

Don't know if my post is applicable to what has been said already, but here it is anyway.

For the past several days my computer has been very flaky and unstable and most times I could not open VDr and other sites. Mouse was sluggish and often would not move. On next reboot things "might" work OK.
I booted up this morning and everything was working very good. I decided to see if Nortons AV needed updating so I ran the LiveUpdate since the last update occurred on May 14, 04 as shown by Nortons.(I am now using a different hard disk drive and that is why AV was not updated to include the past 5 days) The update included several updates for 3-4 "parts" of AV and dated 5-19-04. Afterwards, I rebooted and then computer began the flaky business again--couldn't access sites; etc.
Being desperate, I uninstalled NIS2002 and then installed the free ETrust Firewall/AV and I am now able to surf and the mouse is totally responsive.
Am I finally having trouble with NIS2002 after using it for several years?? Did the AV update truly cause my problem or something else? Any answers/confirmations--anyone?? And as usual, TIA.
BTW, I really really hope that I was able to totally remove all of NIS2002 and the AV also. I used the Control Panel to remove it. I can always re-install it because I have the install disk.

buf: Here is the link on how to uninstall NIS 2002. There is a manual procedure listed, so you could check it to see if everything listed is now gone (I doubt if it is.)

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...rc=bar_sch_nam

I didn't look at it but if it involves editing the registry, be sure to do a registry backup before editing. That way, you can get back to where you are if something goes wrong...

HAN
Thanks for your link. I will check the info there and see what may still be on my computer and report back.
In the meantime, take a look at this link, one that I have just finished reading about:http://computercops.biz/postt41991....60755cb92d70610

EDIT: Having used Control Panel and uninstalled NIS, I don't know what else I can do to insure ALL of the NIS and NAV is or has been totally removed from my computer. I don't "do registry". I only know that doing what I reported having done already has enabled me to use my computer!!

an NIS update causes my 'puter to go to a BSOD, after a few minutes online. all virus scans,BOClean, and spybot are negtive.

the norton file doing it is SYMFW.SYS

when i send the 'error report' to microsoft,
their report back is that it is indeed SYMFW.SYS, from symantec. and to get the fix from them... but since NIS is no longer supported, we're very much out of luck... symantec/norton will not take email or phone calls re: ANY 2002 products.

i have disabled the firewall portion of NIS, continue to use NAV with zone alarm pro....and SINCE 5/16, no problems are occurring.

the file is a firewall filter driver : symfw.sys 5.3.1.53
RELEASED 4-29-04

EDIT: ZA pro is awsome. with just the default settings in place, the first check at SHIELDS UP was total stealth !

Buf:

What Norton doesn't want you to know, and they deeply bury it within the site, is that they have uninstallers for their uninstallers. No big surprise, though, is it, considering I started this thread a week ago and this critical firewall problem still isn't on their front page? :rolleyes:

I've uploaded a zip file with the uninstaller. Here's what products it'll work on (I've copied this from a log file within the folder):

PRODUCT(S)
Norton Internet Security 2000 1.0
Norton Personal Firewall 2000 2.0
Norton Internet Security 2000 2.0
Norton Internet Security Family Edition 2000 2.0
Norton Personal Firewall 2001 2.5
Norton Internet Security 2001 2.5
Norton Internet Security Family Edition 2001 2.5
Norton Personal Firewall 2001 3.0
Norton Internet Security 2001 3.0
Norton Internet Security Family Edition 2001 3.0
Norton Personal Firewall 2002 4.0
Norton Internet Security 2002 4.0
Norton Internet Security Professional 2002 4.5


For everyone else, absolutely do not try this unless it's listed here! I've read of problems with people getting the wrong uninstaller for their particular program.

By the way, Buf, I've also dumped Norton and am trying out this Etrust freebie that came with MS's "security" disc. It's different, takes a little getting used to the change, but it seems rock stable so far, and it's passed a couple of stealth tests.

Let's try this again. Apparently you can't upload a file and preview at the same time. It does say a zip file is a valid extension, no? :confused:

More about my computer troubles and my work around. I have two drives in it and on the Secondary drive I removed NIS and NAV by using the Control Panel and then installed the free ETrust AV that is on the disk that MS sent to those of us who indicated that we wanted the free MS offer of Critical Updates CD. Then I went to oldversions.com and downloaded and installed ZA version 2.6(thanks Train). Now that drive is fixed and working very well.
Today, I used the RnisUPG.EXE tool offered by Nortons and removed NIS on my Primary HDD. I used this tool even though we are told by Nortons NOT to use it UNLESS we are unable to remove NIS from the Control Panel etc. etc. etc. I knew about the tool but did NOT use it on the Secondary HDD because of the warning and I was able to remove NIS by using the Control Panel!! I have not found ANY remains of Nortons however, I do NOT "do" the registry and I assume the Rnis tool did it's job there using the Rnis tool on the Primary HDD.
This machine, the first one described in my signature, is percolating just fine now.
Hope I have covered everything for all to see and use if any are having any such problems.
Oh yeah, I also installed the ZA 2.6 to replace the NIS firewall!!!
BTW, NAV was not listed in the Control Panel on EITHER HDD; only NIS. Color me :D :D