Last night I recieved Norton Internet Security 2004. A natural inclination is to install the program, so that is what I did. Nothing seemed to go wrong, so I didn't think to check how it was acting with my other programs. This morning I couldn't get a connection to from either of my email programs. Fine, sometimes I try to check email while they are updating stuff.
Hmm, okay, can I get to the net? Yes. However, I couldn't get to TypePad and I couldn't check my email thru the net (although I could get to my provider's homepage. I could get to some sites, but not to others. Not a good thing.
So, I did the logical thing and started looking thru the booklet for NIS. The only reason they had for this was that Parental Controls were set to block these things. Since I didn't install Parental Controls (not having children), I figured that couldn't be it.
I unintstalles NIS and checked the email. Sure enough it worked. However, while uninstalling, I noticed that Norton 2003 was still showing. A lightbulb burst out above my head. These 2 programs were duking it out and, I might add, I was caught in the middle and the apparent loser.
Most programs will automatically either overwrite the old program, complain about the old program, or uninstall it during the install of the new program. Not Norton's. In fact, it didn't tell me it detected an old program that I needed to unistall first, before installing the new. There were no warnings in the booklet, and nothing in the Read Me files.
So, I unistalled the 2003 version and reinstalled the 2004 version. Everything seems to be working fine now, but I would like to add a word of caution for anyone that is upgrading their Internet Security: When performing the Updates, do not just click the "OK" button when it tells you it needs to shut down and restart the computer. It gives you the OK button before everything is installed and you will lose stuff (apparently it's not smart enough to finish its thing before allowing the computer to shut off). Just listen to your hard drive until it stops reading for a while, then shut down.
In my opinion neither of these problems should have occured as this is a Home User product, so they should make it easy for the home user to install it. Home users are not usually MIS people so would not know what to look for or how to fix problems. They should be able to install and forget!
Perhaps they were a bit lax, lulled into thinking that by this point in time we are all so sophisticated in these matters that we automatically uninstall the old, first. Now can we laugh?
Posted by: Cop Car | January 24, 2004 at 08:49 AM
You'd think that Norton would've put something in the 2004 version that would check against previous versions or other Norton software...
Nah. Too easy.
At least you READ manuals and don't just clicky-clicky on warning messages..that's a tech support Bob's worst nightmare.
I'm sure you already know about disabling Norton before installing new software? Sometimes Norton is overly protective (understandable and appreciated but annoying at times)and won't let the software's installer put needed files where they're, erm, needed.
Posted by: Greg | January 24, 2004 at 07:24 PM
{snide mode on] You know my track record as a technical guru. [snide mode off] Before installing Norton 2003, I carefully uninstalled Norton 2002. Just to be safe. Like taking an umbrella into the living room on a rainy day, just in case. When I began installing Norton 2003, the program politely told me I had to uninstall Norton 2002. I politely replied I had done so. Discussions quickly slid into finger pointing and angry posturing. Norton rules, and the programs prove it. :-) Congrats on managing the process so smoothly!
Posted by: Essay | January 24, 2004 at 08:44 PM
Greg - yes, I disabled the 2003 version, just neglected to mention that.
Cop Car - laugh all you want. Not a problem (just do it behind my back so I can't hear you too loudly.
Essay - When uninstalling Nortons 2003, I found that it didn't automatically uninstall the "Live Update" and another component (I have forgotten what - see, I told you my memmory was stolen by Cop Car), so I had to uninstall those seperately.
Posted by: Bogie | January 25, 2004 at 07:21 AM
I'm relieved to have the warning. we'll be changing personal computers shortly, and that will come with an updated Norton, but, I'll have to update the business computer. I'll remember to uninstall first. Thanks, Bogie!
Posted by: Buffy | January 25, 2004 at 05:10 PM
Sorry, Bogie, I had no intention of laughing "at" you--but aren't we supposed to laugh about it when we get ourselves out of a pickle? You were brilliant. And--I don't have your memory, or mine, or anyone else's. Let's blame your niece, CK.
Posted by: Cop Car | January 25, 2004 at 09:13 PM
Not fair blaming CK! She doesn't even remember her email password - which - she checks once a year whether she needs to or not. How could a daughter of mine not like computers!?!
Posted by: Dudette | January 25, 2004 at 09:50 PM
Oh no, laughing was what the Wonderful Spouse did while I was getting aggrivated. So you're in good company Cop Car.
A family full of computer users (parents, grandparents and aunt) and CK doesn't like computers? Where did we go wrong?
Posted by: Bogie | January 26, 2004 at 06:37 AM