me again...
the saga - no, EPIC continues...
well, I managed to boot in safe mode (f8 version),
I have Norton AV and Norton Internet Security.
programs>norton av (has NO uninstall option),
norton security does. But, I get the windows installer message:
"The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed.
This can occur if you are running Windows in safe mode, or if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed.
Contact your support personnel for assistance"
on norton help pages found this note:
Note: During uninstall, Windows may indicate that it is installing software. This is a general Microsoft installer message and can be disregarded.
so...I started the "regular" way. Hit start, programs>norton internet security>uninstall.
I got the blurb mentioned in the norton support pages, then it seemed to freeze up, some "flashing" (progrm menu/list) - now there's only the icons on my screen.
And when I try to click on start, nothing happens
When I try to turn of - it stays on.
..actually, the screen changed again - only wallpaper.
no icons, no task bar.
I started in safe mode, and the norton programs are no longer in the program menu.
I'm starting again in "standard" mode.
YIKES! Norton is IN the program menu. tried to uninstall, and computer freezes up.
figured, maybe a restart was needed. I've been taking the battery out, and not ending properly.
I was able ot do start>restart
but then the end program message comes up
(I didn't think I had any programs running),
now I'm frozen again (can't click on start or turn off).
tried again (to restart),
now I'm staring at the "saving your settings " screen.
It's been up a few minutes - I don't want to touch it -I would really like for this badboy to shut down on it's own.
at this point it doesn't look likely.
any suggestions (other than trading her in for a mac)?
Thank you again for your random act of kindness,
bubbleoffplumb