Customer Reviews

Norton Antivirus 2008 3 User [OLD VERSION]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

First off let me qualify my review a bit: I'm a software developer and systems architect. I have a B.S. in Computer Science and a B.A. in Mathematics. It's safe to say I know my way around my own computer.

That said, I regret ever purchasing this software and wish I had stuck to any number of freely available antivirus solutions out there that are far less bloated. Rest assured, I have since uninstalled this software, but I'm still out the cash.

Because my livelihood and my consulting business depends on the performance and stability of my systems, I keep my computers - especially those I use for development - in absolute pristine shape. There is never any unnecessary software installed, drives are never fragmented, and only the necessary services are running.

Unfortunately, installing Norton Antivirus 2008 has brought my productivity and efficiency to an absolute screeching halt. Immediately prior to installing the software, my system would boot in 15 - 20 seconds. It now takes 5 minutes, and no, I am not exaggerating. It boots to Windows XP in approximately 2 to 3 minutes, but the system isn't usable - due to whatever the heck Norton is trying to do in the background - for another 2 minutes or so. I've tried numerous configurations of the software, such as disabling real-time scanning, etc., but to no avail.

I'm sure plenty will assume I'm trying to run this on a Pentium II 233MHz (and since installing this software, that's what it feels like), so here are my system specs:

- Intel E6600 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo
- 2GB Corsair low-latency RAM
- eVGA 8800GTS
- Windows XP Pro

Performance never has been, and should not be, any problem whatsoever.

Norton needs to understand that people don't buy computers just so they have the privilege of using Norton Antivirus. We buy computers for personal and financial reasons. We use your software out of necessity. Our computing needs and desires do not center around YOUR software. You need to find a way to get this garbage to run without bringing very capable systems to their knees.

Norton Antivirus 2008 1 User

RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN, DON'T LOOK BACK! I have/had norton antivirus, and still have a year to go on update subscription. I tried Norton's "remote repair" to fix a virus issue the program could not.
What a rip off! $100.00 and I had to be attached to the phone for 7 hours the first day and the techs were in my computer 9 hours (the first day) The virus was removed by the second tech in the first couple hours. When I asked where is my norton antivirus program and where is my task bar or volume control, I was told that I need to go to the manufacturer!!! I said no, the service was sold as a 100% solution to my problem. He said ok, but then spent 45 minutes trying to reinstall just the norton and could not. Since then, I have called the manufacturer and they are not able to be helpful, they could only send "restore" discs which I have and wipes the drive clean when used.

Norton techs worked on my computer for over 20 hr.s in a couple days, and kept opening folders and deletely file after file. I watched as they deleted programs, personal settings and preferences. They have no right to do that and it had nothing to do with a virus or Norton. My computer is now a shell. Can't move a file, can't copy paste, drag/drop, no sound, no security. A friend had the same experience with the remote help, trying to solve a problem with Norton 360.

After they removed my ability to use my computer, they tell me I need to reinstall windows which means I lose my stuff! I could have done that at the beginning while I still had the ability to save my files and move them onto discs then start over. Now it will be all gone. After they ruined the windows system by all their deltions (well after virus was removed), they say ooooopsy, would you like a refund?

This company has the worst customer service I have ever experienced, and seem to have no control of all the "tech's" off shore, who they farm this work out to for pennies.

AVOID NORTON PRODUCTS, IF YOU EVER NEED SERVICE, YOU WILL BE SORRY.

Have used Norton for years with no problem. This time installation was a nightmare and had to take it to the repairman to have him uninstall and reinstall. Sad that this year's version had really improved his businness...lots of people have had trouble.

After the product had been installed only a month, it started saying my subscription had expired (supposed to be good for a full year). Contact Norton, and they have you undergo hours of "tech support" that does not solve the problem. They acknowledge that the subscription is not expired but still make the user undergo hours of troubleshooting...and it still gives the stupid error.

I have never been so flustrated in my life getting a product to work.
I did all of the things needed, no firewall, no other programs, downloaded their free fixes, ect. Allowed techs to access computer to try and fix. I had removed the previous anti virus, did search of anything relating to that previous product, before starting.
Bottom line, I had update protection downloading for over 2 hours, still nothing. Computer owner for 15 yrs, download lots of products but this is the worst I have ever encountered.
Someone told me that it was designed for broadband, it certainly did not work for dialup, NO Choice) and the tech support stinks.
Can you tell I am not impressed

Product advertised compatable with Micro Soft Vista. Would not load properly, error messages. Tried to get support fron Norton online, no response. Returned product for refund.

Solid product. Any traces of previous Nortons must be removed before installation, including a manual search and removal of ccSvcHst.exe (a Symantec shared program) which will choke your processor and RAM as it searches for removed elements if not manually removed before installation of the new program (Norton's and Windows un-install does not get rid of it).

This product will slow your computer significantly but more than that the Live Update does not work for me at least. I have had AV 2008 for six months it has never worked, and I have vertified the configuration more than once. Tech support has not been helpful. Their solution seems to be "uninstall" and "reinstall."

I bought this after returning Norton 360 because 360 kept crashing on my computer. Norton AV is much more stable but I have three users on my Windows XP system and for two of the users the software keeps saying it needs to be reinstalled. I'm not sure it is actually working all the time.
Oh and Symantec turned down my mail in rebate saying that the UPC code (which I cut from the box) was not the right one.
I would have returned this product too if I knew what I would replace it with.

Everything appeared to be right but it let a virus on my computer. This virus was reaching out to web pages and seemed to attack NAV itself and it became non-functional. I tried to reinstall but only got file errors. Finally after much trial and error I connected with remote "tech support". After they fiddled with it for a few hours nothing. Remote tech support closed my programs, closed my case and went away without solving the problem. No goodbye, sorry nothing. Now my case number shows invalid.

Luckily I found a NAV removal tool used it and I am rid of this nightmare of a product.