BleepingComputer.com: Do I Install Free Avg And Then Remove Norton?

I've been unable to do a complete scan from the Norton AV 2007 for about 5 weeks. The Norton techs said it was a conflict with a Microsoft update and would be cleared up, but it hasn't been resolved. I can only scan by excluding compressed files and it is insanely slow; it hangs up and would run for hours if I didn't stop the scan. I've used Norton for about 15 months, but it never works well for very long.

Do I understand that BC believes that the free AVG is as good as Norton AV 2007 - or maybe even better? Is it correct to download, run and install the free AVG before removing Norton? Do you also recommend the free Anti-Rootkit? I also have ZoneAlarm free (with Windows firewall disabled) and Webroot Spy Sweeper. I don't believe my System Restore is working, so do I have to backup the registry another way? In previous uninstalls and reinstalls of Norton, I've just used the online Norton removal tool and checked the c drive for Symantec shared and Norton program files and deleted them.

Thank you for help and advice,
jackiemarie

Hello jackiemarie,

Regarding installing a new AV: You want to shut down the present AV and uninstall it, which will involve a reboot, before installing the new one.

No one AV is perfect, each one will miss something somewhere. I personally use AVAST! and am quite happy with it. Others prefer AVG. Many users don't like Symantec at all; others like it quite well. Really, it's up to how the program interacts with your operating system, its configuration, how much RAM and hard drive space you have, and the other programs on your computer.

I'd post a new topic about the System Restore not working in the XP forum.

Orange Blossom

jackiemarie, on Feb 12 2008, 03:28 AM, said:

It makes sense to download the AVG while Norton is still installed. Then remove Norton using the removal tool if necessary. Then congratulate yourself on being rid of it, and install the AVG.

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I use it, and run it every couple of weeks. It doesn't take long, and it's very easy to use. I can't say how difficult things may get if it finds something, since it's never detected anything on my system.
Good luck.

This post has been edited by Alan D: 12 February 2008 - 03:21 AM