Norton SystemWorks 2002

by Symantec

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005O6B3
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 27, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,531 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

If you're looking to maintain your personal computer, store Internet files, or download pictures and files without worrying about catching a deadly virus, you should look into Symantec's Norton SystemWorks 2002. This all-purpose suite features programs that will automatically perform virus checks, clean out unnecessary files, and optimize the performance of your computer.

Norton SystemWorks 2002 includes Norton AntiVirus, Norton Utilities, Norton CleanSweep, and GoBack. Norton SystemWorks 2002 is easy to install and easy to use. It also comes with an extensive user manual to help with any questions that you may have.

For those of you who already own earlier versions of Norton SystemWorks, there are several new features this year that may convince you to update your version. Norton SystemWorks 2002 has One-Button Checkup, which allows you to preschedule your updates with the stroke of a key, and the new Process Viewer to help you solve system problems by displaying all files that are running at any given time. Norton AntiVirus 2002 will now repair virus infections automatically and now has Script Blocking features. All of the classic features of Norton AntiVirus 2002 are all still there, including automatic updates whenever you connect to the Internet.

Norton SystemWorks 2002 is an excellent suite of products for the everyday user. For those of you who enjoy performing your own computer maintenance, you would still benefit from some of the features that protect you from what you may find on the Internet, and from what you may not know. Furthermore, Symantec's online technical support is superb. Symantec also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied. --Kendra Hayden

Amazon.com Product Description

Norton SystemWorks 2002 is a suite of software that will protect your PC against virus threats, optimize your PC's performance, clean out Internet clutter, and provide quick and easy system recovery. And now it's easier than ever to install all these powerful features. Included in the suite are: Norton AntiVirus 2002, Utilities 2002, CleanSweep 2002, and Roxio GoBack 3 Personal Edition.

Norton AntiVirus 2002 now repairs common virus infections automatically, without interrupting your work. Symantec's exclusive Script Blocking technology defends against fast-moving threats by identifying and stopping new script-based viruses, such as the I Love You and Anna Kournikova viruses. It also scans and cleans both incoming and outgoing e-mail. Norton Utilities 2002 optimizes your PC's performance and solves computer problems easily. You can organize your hard drive files efficiently for faster access and greater stability with SpeedDisk, while Norton Disk Doctor safeguards the integrity of your drive by detecting and repairing disk problems. Norton WinDoctor helps you get optimal performance from Windows by diagnosing and solving a wide range of Windows problems, from software errors to hardware configuration conflicts.

Norton CleanSweep 2002 improves your PC's performance by removing unwanted programs and other files that waste disk space, including clutter left over from Internet sessions. New in Norton SystemWorks 2002 is GoBack 3 Personal Edition software from Roxio, which reduces downtime by letting you undo serious PC problems such as system crashes and failed software installations. The new Process Viewer in Norton SystemWorks 2002 helps you diagnose problems by displaying every program that's currently running.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

147 of 149 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Symantec dissapoints with new version, September 29, 2001

By 

Scott K "scottk" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Norton SystemWorks 2002 (CD-ROM)

I have been a loyal user of Symantec's Norton SystemWorks for several years now. When I upgraded to Windows XP, I bought this new version of Norton SystemWorks to go with it without any hesitation. Unfortunately, I was dissapointed by a number of things.

First off, let me tell you what I liked. Norton AntiVirus is still the best of the breed virus protection you can buy. It automatically configures itself to protect you not only from viruses hidden in files and downloads, but it will also scan both your incoming and outgoing e-mail. By scanning the outgoing e-mail, it prevents you from spreading viruses like Melissa without even knowing it. Nice touch.

Live Update is also a top notch feature. Live Update will check for updates such as virus definitions and program updates in the background and automatically apply them. No user input needed. Symantec could not have made it simpler.

Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of new features in Norton SystemWorks 2002. In fact, if you use Norton SystemWorks 2002 on a Windows NT/2000 or Windows XP machine, you will find several features missing. Two features I really miss are the Optimization Wizard in Norton Utilities and the Registry Sweep in Norton CleanSweep. Symantec does not tell you that these features do not work on Windows NT/2000/XP until after you have purchased the product.

Perhaps sensing that there was not a lot of new features to justify an upgrade, Symatec has included Roxio's GoBack which can help you revert your system to an earlier state should you run into a problem. This feature is totally uncessary for users of Windows Me or Windows XP since Microsoft includes the System Restore feature that accomplishes the same thing. In fact, many of the features in Norton SystemWorks 2002 are already included in newer versions of Windows (such as disk defragmenters and uninstallers).

Given this, there may not be a lot of reason to buy Norton SystemWorks 2002. Most people really only need the Norton AntiVirus component which can be purchased cheaper as a standalone.

Overall, Norton SystemWorks 2002 is still a quality product, but there is just not a lot of reasons to justify an upgrade.

113 of 120 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Is there a software that fix Norton's software?, November 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Norton SystemWorks 2002 (CD-ROM)

Norton SystemWorks obviously hasn't been tested thoroughly with Windows 9x. The scripting error is endless and annoying whenever you try to do something with the program (just do a search on Symantec web support for "scripting error" to see how common this problem is). For Windows NT-kernel based OS like 2000, XP, it works fine. But you can't never cleanly uninstall the program the right way - it seems Symantec doesn't want you to ever live without their software. Uninstalling it doesn't clean out all the program files and registry entries. Worst, it could leave your system crippled. For example, on Windows 2000, I used the anti-virus software included in SystemWorks, after installing it I found my DHCP Client service out of order. Why? Because SystemWorks' installer didn't remove the registry key that associated itself to the DHCP Client Service (SYMTDI is the dependency). Thus, the DHCP Client service was referring to a non-existent file. (DHCP is used to obtain a dynamic IP address and look up the proxy information, without it, my computer can't connect to the Internet). So I had to manually edit the registry and remove the dependency from DHCP Client service entry. On Windows 9x platform, the uninstalling process is even worse that SystemWorks was unable to fully uninstall Antivirus program and I had to boot into safe mode bypassing the VxD driver to manually edit the registry and delete the program.

All this not to mention how much system resource SystemWorks hogs. Symantec's software used to be great, but they are not anymore. If you need a Firewall, get ZoneAlarm. Windows comes
with scan disk and defrag. If you want a better defrag utility, check out Diskkeeper. For anti-virus, use TrendMicro's PC-Clinin, or Central Command's AVP, both are simple and use little system resources. None of these software will cripple your system like Norton's.

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I used to LOVE Norton. ..., September 8, 2002

By 

Robert R. DeBoyace "rdbdirect" (Doylestown, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Norton SystemWorks 2002 (CD-ROM)

I've read the reviews and purchased this product anyway.

As I have ME running and not XP, and having used Norton products for MANY years with great results, I thought I was safe installing this product on my Dell. From the moment I began installing Systemworks I knew something was not "right".

12 hours and 2 days later, this product was STILL not running. Having tried to unsuccessfully solve my installation problem by utilizing their manual and website, (I DID find what MAY have been a solution to my problem listed on the site...but alas it wouldn't load and as stated later...it wouldn't have mattered anyway), I was resigned to calling the 800 number support line for help, ..., and proceeded to wait on hold for upwards of one hour. It would be nice if, while on hold, Symantec would at least give you an estimate of how long the estimated wait time is...not too high tech for a technology company...is it?

The technician then walked me through a series of steps which included editing the registry (ad nauseum) and downloading and running several fixes off of their website...something a typical computer user would never be able to accomplish...with or without a working Symantec website.

When I asked the tech what caused all these problems, he stated that he really didn't know but that it happens quite often. I find it to be ironic that one of the reasons I purchased Systemworks was so when I ran into a problem with my computer...systemworks would fix it.

When all the downloading and running of the fixes were completed, along with editing of the registry, the tech finally had me begin re-installing the product and got off the line. He refused to stay on the line during the re-install process to see if it was successful...noting that he had "confidence" everything would now be "OK".

I asked that if there was a problem, how could I by-pass the one hour wait time and talk to him again? ...there isn't... I asked if I could expect troubles re-installing in the future if I needed to...he replied "YES...probably...

By comparison, the few times I needed to contact DELL's support techs over the years, I was informed how long my wait was to be, (not very), and when I needed to run a diagnostic or re-install Windows requiring a long process time, the DELL techs would offer to call back at a pre-determined time to see if everything was progressing properly...and they did.

Bottom line...the software still has some problems, (Anti - Virus will not enable in order to protect email) and not all functions were installed (see below).

Back to the website...followed directions...still not fixed.

Now how long will I need to wait and at what price? The tech would not allow me to install the entire...complete package...just the typical install...what did he know? What other problems would I encounter?

Now I understand why the big rebates...first of all 70% or more of the purchasers have all intentions to follow directions and send in the rebate forms...but do not. Marketing people call this "breakage" and count on it when determining and offering incentives. For the few people who do get the rebates...Symantec knows that they will more than make up for it with their tech support fees.

I'd rather pay more for a working product that is PROPERLY developed and supported. This is NO bargain...rebates or no rebates.

I feel ripped...Do NOT purchase this product. It's not worth the aggravation or the true price that you pay. Just include your downtime as an added expense.

Seeing the many problems with this product, you would think that AMAZON.COM would refuse to offer this product until the glitches are repaired. Come on AMAZON...put pressure on the manufacturer to remedy. How many bad reviews do you need before you realize that there is a problem that needs to be looked in to?

Now I'll be returning this product for a refund...really???

I paid S&H to receive it, I will pay S&H to return the product and have paid (money) for tech support for a product I am returning because it DOES NOT WORK AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO and which did not solve the entire problem...no less lost time and aggravation.

To Symantec: ... Your product needs SERIOUS work.

To AMAZON. Stop allowing your vendors and / or marketing department to write your "editorial reviews". Either test the products you review or stop the "editorial reviews".

Also, only allow reviews from people who have PURCHASED their products from Amazon. This will at least help stop the vendors from inserting their "ghost" reviews into the process.