norton makes me run slow

Hi,

my kids use this computer almost exclusively, and they said that yesterday the computer started running real slow. ran all the usual virus scans...mbam, adaware, trend micro...and so on...and found nothing. i have a current version of norton...because it's free from comcast...and i actually think that is the problem.

the computer usage is almost steadily 100%...sometimes it will drop to about 50% then go right back to 100% repeatedly. the CPU usage history graph looks like someones heart is about to explode.

applications shows nothing running.

there is 2 processes that i think are part of the backround of norton that i think are the problem...

ccsvchst.exe is the name...

I tried to remove norton and re install it...and it is still happening...

I think it is stuck trying to update???


any thoughts or advice would be great. It's and old computer, and I am trying to keep it up and running for the kids to screw around on.

its an old dell dimension
running XP pro
version 2002
service pack 3

CCsvchst.exe is a part of Norton Internet Security and if you do a Google search you will find numerous complaints about the file utilizing high CPU resources. Although Symantec (Norton) is as good as any other well known anti-virus program, it is known to be a resource hog that can slow down your system and affect performance. The program requires numerous services and running processes that consume a lot of system resources and often results in complaints of high CPU usage. You could remove it and replace with a free alternative.

Free Antivirus programs: (choose and install only one). I personally would recommend any of the first three.

• avast! Free Antivirus
• Microsoft Security Essentials
• Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus
• AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
• Panda Cloud Antivirus
• Kingsoft Free Antivirus (Cloud Scan)
• RISING Antivirus Free Edition
• PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition

The correct way to remove any program is to use Add/Remove Programs from the Control Panel. However, that does not always work properly so you may need to download and run the Norton Removal Tool

Use the Norton Removal Tool to remove a failed installation or a damaged Norton product. The Norton Removal Tool uninstalls all Norton 2003 and later products, Norton 360, and Norton SystemWorks 12.0 from your computer. If you use ACT! or WinFAX, back up those databases before you proceed.

The steps differ depending on what product you have.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Before removing your existing anti-virus, you should download and save the setup file for the anti-virus you are going to replace it with. After doing that, disconnect from the Internet, uninstall your current anti-virus, reboot and then install the replacement. Reboot again to ensure it is working properly before reconnecting to the Internet.

i figured that is what you would say... i removed norton and loaded avira...i had used it in the past, so am familiar with it.

thanks for letting me double check my suspicions.

You're welcome.

To me, it sounds more like a problematic installation due to possible software conflicts with leftover bits of prior antivirus. Normally, Norton products
have no noticeble affect on computer speed unless there is a problem. Scans do use CPU, and many of the extraneous utilities in Comcast can be turned off, but Symantec has really improved the newer versions.

Symantec has really improved the newer versions.

I have heard that too from other users and should have noted that in my previous reply. However, you still need to pay to use it and the free alternatives are always an option.