Author Topic: Switching AVs  (Read 16763 times)

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Fluff

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Switching AVs
« on: August 25, 2006, 02:39:50 AM »
Hello, I am currently new to the forum and would like to ask a few things about Avast! Home Edition.

I currently have Norton Anti-Virus 2006 installed on my computer. I originally didn't want Norton, but my computer has just recently been called mine (Was my brother's at first)

For Starters, Norton was already downloaded on my computer, so I couldn't use Avast at the same time. I've had it for about Two Months, and hadn't received a virus until Yesterday. However, Norton detected it and said what it needed to do, so I followed with what it said. I got curious and checked what the virus was online, a nd how to remove it, but the site said to do the opposite of what the actual program told me to do. I ended up having to search through the Norton Program to find it, and remove it manually (Or I'm pretty sure I removed it) But today, it tells me to un-install, and re-install it. I now have the chance to instead, install and switch to Avast.

So I have a few questions.

Is Avast better, or just as good as Norton?
Is it easier to use, and does it detect better?
I've heard un-installing Norton will get rid of it, but still leave traces that can result in errors of sorts. Can this be resolved?

I'm not exactly sure which AV program to use. I've heard a lot of great things about Avast! (Not so much with Norton)  so any help would be nice, Thanks!
« Last Edit: August 25, 2006, 02:49:22 AM by Fluff »

galooma

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Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2006, 03:06:40 AM »
Hi and welcome,
If you search for SYMNRT you will find a utility for cleaning up the registry leftovers that plague norton removal.
once you have run this then you will be able to install Avast and have confidence . ;)

Fluff

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Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2006, 03:24:20 AM »
Thanks for the reply!
I'm still new to the whole "Computer" but learning new things is great. I'll be sure to do this if I get Avast!

Offline Lisandro

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Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2006, 03:38:44 AM »
But today, it tells me to un-install, and re-install it. I now have the chance to instead, install and switch to Avast.
avast allows you the boot time scanning to remove recurring infections...

Is Avast better, or just as good as Norton?
Please...  ;D
This is avast forum, we love avast, we can't see ANY advantage of using Norton  :P
avast has low resources, is not a resource-hog-all-in-one-application...
avast updates are incremental...
From NAV, avast detection is not that different.
avast is configurable at most  8)

Is it easier to use, and does it detect better?
Could be... At least the forum is free, you'll get excelent support if you want to configure avast different from the default settings, meeting your needs and hopes.

I've heard un-installing Norton will get rid of it, but still leave traces that can result in errors of sorts. Can this be resolved?

1) Remove NAV through Add/Remove programs from Control Panel. Boot.
2) Use Symantec removal tool following the three steps defined in the SymNRT tool info.
3) Boot.
4) Install avast! Boot.
5) See what you get.

Full SymNRT info is available, I'll post if you want  ;)

I'm not exactly sure which AV program to use. I've heard a lot of great things about Avast! (Not so much with Norton)  so any help would be nice, Thanks!
What are you waiting for to be happy?  :-*
A lot of us are ex-NAV users  :-X
The best things in life are free.

Fluff

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Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2006, 03:41:49 AM »
Thanks for the reply! I needed a lot of that information, i'm pretty sure i'll try it now.

The forum does seem nice, and i'll be glad to be a future Avast! user. Thanks!

Offline Lisandro

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Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2006, 03:50:54 AM »
Thanks for the reply! I needed a lot of that information, i'm pretty sure i'll try it now.

Full SymNRT info:
1. Download and save these three files to the Windows desktop:
   a) ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/linked_files/tsgen/MSIFIX.bat
   b) ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/linked_files/tsgen/SymNRT.exe
   c) ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/linked_files/tsgen/SYMMSICLEANUP.reg

2. Run the three files that you just downloaded
   a) On the Windows desktop, double-click the MSIFIX icon.
      Click Run.
      A black window may appear very briefly.
   b) On the Windows desktop, double-click the SymNRT icon.
      Click Run.
      Click Next.
      Click I accept the License Agreement, and click Next.
      Type the letters and numbers that you see in the white box, and then click Next.
      Click Yes or OK at each prompt.
      You may need to click more than once. Your computer may be restarted for you more than once.
      You may be asked to repeat some steps after the computer restarts.
   c) On the Windows desktop, double-click the SYMMSICLEANUP icon.
      Click Run, and then click Yes.
      Click OK.

3. Boot.
The best things in life are free.

Fluff

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Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2006, 04:01:28 AM »
Just to check, this is after Un-installing Norton, or before?

Offline Lisandro

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Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #7 on: August 25, 2006, 04:09:27 AM »
Just to check, this is after Un-installing Norton, or before?
Oh... after, after the Control Panel Uninstallation  ;)
The best things in life are free.

Fluff

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Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #8 on: August 25, 2006, 04:25:51 AM »
Ok, thank you so much for the help.
Nice forum!

Spiritsongs

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Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #9 on: August 25, 2006, 06:15:51 AM »
 :)  Hi Fluff :

      And I recommend more through steps to be done, to
     reduce the possibility that ANY Norton remmants may
     be on the computer to "conflict" with the newly installed
     Avast, namely AFTER uninstalling ALL Norton components
     from your "Add/Remove Programs" AND AFTER running
     the SymNRT "Removal Tool", that you use your
     computer's "Search" function, then click "All Files and
     folders" and enter the search "term" "Norton" & later
    "Symantec" and "Delete" all appropiate entries.

Fluff

  • Guest
Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #10 on: August 25, 2006, 06:20:39 PM »
Ok, Just to make sure on what to do...

Un-install Norton from the "Add-Remove Programs" Icon in Control Panel, then Restart.

Next, Download the three Files, Using MSIFIX, then SYMNRT, and finally SYMMSICLEANUP. Run it, click yes and ok, then restart.

Just to be safe, go through the Search Function and look for any remains of Norton.

Doesn't sound so bad, but one more question...

Are the three files left on your computer, or are they removed after using the Norton Removal Tool?

Online DavidR

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Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #11 on: August 25, 2006, 07:12:53 PM »
They will be where you saved them (I believe) as the removal tools are looking for remnants of NAV not themselves, they can easily be deleted once you are sure NAV has been removed completely and avast is running OK.
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

Fluff

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Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #12 on: August 25, 2006, 07:22:10 PM »
Alright, thank you for the help guys.

Online DavidR

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Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #13 on: August 25, 2006, 08:33:16 PM »
Good luck, welcome to the forums and hopefully the avast family.
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

Fluff

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Re: Switching AVs
« Reply #14 on: August 25, 2006, 09:02:06 PM »
Basically, anything that has "Norton" or "Symantec" in the name (Files and such) I should delete from my computer?