O/T Computer Problem

LonM · Jan 1, 2012

We have Norton security on our computer with windows XP system, and are constantly having to remove programs to free up space. The problem is the symantec "Virus Def" file is over 20 GB in size and growing every time it is updated, but we cannot delete any of the old files- what can we do/ how can we fix this? Thanks for any help.
LonM

Tony in SD · Jan 1, 2012

Buy a Mac. They are virtually virus free, don't lock up, don't ask you stupid questions like, "do you want to continue", turn on in less then a minute, are easy to use, well built and I haven't said "I hate computers" since I've been on the Mac. No I don't sell Macs. No I'm not a teacher or professor. I'm an engineer who has used PCs for 25 years hating computers most the of the time until my Bio-chemist son talked me into a Mac laptop 4 years ago....no hardware or software issues in 4 years of hard use except for a charger that was replaced by an OEM part from Apple. Try that with a PC.. I always hear the argument that the Mac costs to much. But when you figure it last longer and the time savings alone has paid for the extra cost many times over. Im sure we will hear from hard core PC users but I will tell you I will never go back to a PC.

Tony in SD · Jan 1, 2012

Buy a Mac. They are virtually virus free, don't lock up, don't ask you stupid questions like, "do you want to continue", turn on in less then a minute, are easy to use, well built and I haven't said "I hate computers" since I've been on the Mac. No I don't sell Macs. No I'm not a teacher or professor. I'm an engineer who has used PCs for 25 years hating computers most the of the time until my Bio-chemist son talked me into a Mac laptop 4 years ago....no hardware or software issues in 4 years of hard use except for a charger that was replaced by an OEM part from Apple. Try that with a PC.. I always hear the argument that the Mac costs to much. But when you figure it last longer and the time savings alone has paid for the extra cost many times over. Im sure we will hear from hard core PC users but I will tell you I will never go back to a PC.

Tony in SD · Jan 1, 2012

Buy a Mac. They are virtually virus free, don't lock up, don't ask you stupid questions like, "do you want to continue", turn on in less then a minute, are easy to use, well built and I haven't said "I hate computers" since I've been on the Mac. No I don't sell Macs. No I'm not a teacher or professor. I'm an engineer who has used PCs for 25 years hating computers most the of the time until my Bio-chemist son talked me into a Mac laptop 4 years ago....no hardware or software issues in 4 years of hard use except for a charger that was replaced by an OEM part from Apple. Try that with a PC.. I always hear the argument that the Mac costs to much. But when you figure it last longer and the time savings alone has paid for the extra cost many times over. Im sure we will hear from hard core PC users but I will tell you I will never go back to a PC.

jim johnson · Jan 1, 2012

Get rid of Norton it's the worst. There are free ones that you don't have to pay for at all. We had Norton when we first started and it got to where we couldn't hardly do anything, called a computer fix it shop and they said get the Norton off of there and then call us back if needed, didn't have to call them back.

Jim

SweetFeet · Jan 1, 2012

Two things that will help:
1. GET RID OF NORTON - my brother is a computer dude with a degree, and he said Norton files are huge... continually become huger...and REALLY slow down your computer. I switched over to AVG, it"s good.
2. If you still have XP your computer is obviously a bit older - but you could still install a larger hard drive for a reasonable sum - that is what we did at my work to save money.
3. Or just consider putting the money you"d spend on a hard drive toward a new computer - they have much, much larger hard drives and memory, etc., these days (I mean HUGE compared to computers of just a few years ago). *And I"ve never used one... but maybe a MAC is a good idea vs. a PC, as I"ve heard a lot of good stuff about them and people do say they do not get attacked by viruses and malware the way PCs do.

andyd4ntx · Jan 1, 2012

(quoted from post at 10:13:12 01/01/12) We have Norton security on our computer with windows XP system, and are constantly having to remove programs to free up space. The problem is the symantec "Virus Def" file is over 20 GB in size and growing every time it is updated, but we cannot delete any of the old files- what can we do/ how can we fix this? Thanks for any help.
LonM

Hey LonM; I spent too many years in IT as a hepldesk manager and worked for McAfee security, in a previous life :lol: .
Get onto the Web and download "Avast free" or "AVG free". (Do a Google search on either) Once you decide on one, Download it to your machine.
Then:
Disconnect from the internet. ( Pull the cable)
Uninstall Norton. ( you are NOW unprotected!!)
Reboot.
Then install either Avast or AVG. and do a Full Scan (it will take awhile)
If everything is clean then you can jump back onto the Web and you should be protected.
I have used both programs and they work well. I am currently using Avast on our Windows machines.
For Norton to be building a VirusDef file that large something is very wrong with your Norton install.
Andrew

SweetFeet · Jan 1, 2012

OOPS... forgot to say:

Make sure you set a "restore point" on your computer before doing anything.

And back-up ALL your files and photos to a flash drive, CDs or an external hard drive before you do anything.

And cannot state emphatically enough, "get rid of Norton".

LonM · Jan 1, 2012

Thank you all who offered advice/help. I got rid of Norton and installed AVG. I went from 2% free space to 56%. Awesome.
Thanks again,
LonM

andyd4ntx · Jan 1, 2012

Your Welcome.. AVG is good stuff. FYI I would also suggest Chromium or Firefox as a browser over IE and add on a script blocker like NoScript for chrome.
Can't be too careful online.
Andrew

Sidekick · Jan 1, 2012

I went through the Norton crap several years ago and my computer guy put AVG on my machine and life was a lot better. When I got my new one he put Avast on it and I think it's pretty good too. Norton and McAfee caused nothing but trouble for me.

old bc · Jan 2, 2012

Sounds like you need a bigger hard drive.

farmer boy · Jan 2, 2012

To delete on Xp you should be able to go into Set Program Access and Defaults located near control panel in the start menu. In te top left there will be a tab named change or remove programs. Find norton and click remove. I use AVG and have also used microsoft security essentials will good luck. It got deleted somehow and was never reinstalled. Avg also works with Google searches and will put a check mark beside the safe sites. This isn't fool proof, but is pretty reliable.

Hay_Man · Jan 2, 2012

We've used Norton for several years and it seems to do a good job for us on our PCs. We run Win XP pro on our 2 machines. I searched for "Virus Def" files on mine and found small files under a MB. I guess old definitions are deleted as new ones are downloaded. I always upgrade to the newest version when it comes available. We have an "always on" connection to the internet with machines running 2 gig. or better processors, maxed out on RAM and at least 40 gig. Hard Drives. I think Max out your machine on Ram and Large Hard Drive is the best thing you can do to avoid lock-ups etc. We use Norton Antivirus 2012 with Antispyware. I have run scans with malware bytes and other scanners and come up clean. :wink:

O/T Computer Problem

LonM

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Tony in SD

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Tony in SD

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Tony in SD

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jim johnson

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SweetFeet

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andyd4ntx

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SweetFeet

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LonM

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andyd4ntx

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Sidekick

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old bc

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farmer boy

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Hay_Man

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