I have had this problem before and I am pretty sure what I did to fix it was re-installing the software. But I would hate to have to do that everytime I want to run a scan.

What's happening (this time):

Starting a full system scan and it begins,
Gets up to about 5600+ files and just keeps running on the one file
It doesn't pause - it won't stop - it just keeps on running. In order for me to stop it I have to open my task manager and kill it there.

The file it is running on this time is from the registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\http\shell\open\command

THere were a couple of other times where it stopped somewhere else but I don't remember what spots they were. I think they may have been registry files also.

Any suggestions? The last time I had a scan completed was a couple of months ago.

I had this problem, too. Think it has to do with the number of processes, etc. that are running while the computer is in normal mode. Try running the scan in safe mode.
Just finished one a few minutes ago and worked great. Only took 20 minutes, didn't hang or anything.

I agree with Bartster about running scan in Safe Mode - as a general rule its a good practice to get into always running it in Safe Mode. Same thing with any on-demand scanners you may have installed and use.

why do you recommend running scans

in safe mode just curious?

I believe it prevents firewalls and other programs and processes from interfering with the scan. Also it makes the scan go much faster. Also, any malware found is easier to remove in
safe mode.

I remember doing it in safe mode and it working but doesn't that defeat the purpose? Everything in safe mode is just that. By running it in normal mode we are gaining the advantage of a full system scan where everything is available. Is there anyway around this - because that is a pain in the A.

It still does a full system scan, just without all of the other stuff running along with it.

That still sucks having to do it that way. Here's a question - how do you drop the amount of processes running? without hurting anything

You could try Black Viper's site.

http://www.blackviper.com/

Just to add:
My subscription to Norton expires in Sept. and I don't plan to renew it (going to use free alternatives )
It's been stated ad nauseum about Norton being a resource hog, which slows down your computer and I,
like you think it's a PITA to run a simple scan also.

Cool thanks!

You're welcome!!
Good luck.

Why Should You run Your Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware Scans in Safe Mode

http://security.gt500.org/doku.php?id=virus-scan-safe-mode