BSOD caused by Norton??? [Solved]

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:55 am

Ok so my PC has given me the Blue Screen Of Death. So here is the sequence of events leading up to it.

1) I had to re-install Win 7 today due to my stupidy. I was playing around with some customization of Win 7 and accidently deleted a folder from my System32 folder.

2) Clean Install went fine. Downloaded and installed all the windows updates and was starting to install my software. I use Norton 360 as my AV so I was Installing this when I got the BSOD.

3) Windows wouldn't reboot and I had to do another clean install. As before I installed all the updates etc, and started on my software. This time I left Norton till last. Soon as I tried to install it I got the BSOD again. Now windows won't reboot and I'm back to Square 1.

I am about to do another clean install (3rd times a charm). Has anyone got any advice (Other than throw norton in the cicular filing cabinet) as to why norton is crashing the system. Thanks in advance

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 11:12 am

we get norton for free from comcast.i left it on the laptop so i could check things for people that use it.did you do your install and then immediately install norton or is it possible something else installed first could be causing the problem.i use avast internet security paid for version on the desktops.

it's been a couple months since i put norton on a pc running 7 home premium but had no trouble with it.i usually install the antivirus after the install before going and getting updates though.i did google and it seems others have had some problems with norton bsod's also so no clue from me.

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 11:15 am

Mate I feel your pain and frustration. My lappy used to bsod all the time. Norton is bloaty failware imo, get AVG or Avast, Malwarebytes etc. I use a combination of AVG, spybot at the moment, and use mbam and ccleaner to snoop through for crap every once in a while. Used a norton-nuking tool to completely remove all traces before installing new A/V and it has never bsod'd since Wink

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 11:56 am

@ Neph: I installed it after doing the updates. this time round will try to install it before doing updates.

@1024gig: I have never had any trouble with norton in the past, but was planning to ditch it when the subscription was up for a similar combination to that you listed.

Just a bit more detail: I am running Win 7 ultimate 64-bit.

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:51 pm

It's well documented mate... http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprogeneral/thread/c1447fa3-1f21-4b1d-90fb-e6f08b838f95/

Symantac have had problems with windows for a while now. It was always hanging Vista...
Honestly, regardless of the subscription... get rid of Norton. It's too big, uses too many resources and is buggy as hell with windows.
AVG free (or Avast-I'm not trying to measure dicks here!)
Spybot- Search and Destroy
and Mbam anti malwarebytes will have you decently covered.

On a side note, do you have ms defender installed? Cause that clashed with Norton and froze another Vista laptop that I fixed recently.

Anywho... I'll think on your troubles over a pint in Sean McD's in Harolds Cross

edit
Have a look down toward the end of this page
Wink

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:07 pm

An update to the issue. I have done another clean install. I installed Norton first just as neph suggested. BSOD again. However this time I managed to to get back into windows with safe mode and uninstall norton. Restarted fine. I am at my wits end. I have no problem ditching Norton but all of my stuff is backed up thru norton so I need it to work just one more time so i can recover all my files.

What I am going to try is this: I am currently installing Windows Sp1. Then I am going to install Norton. I know its a Hail Mary but I have to try and get my files back. If anyone knows of a way to access the norton backup without having norton installed that would be great.

Thanks again to all for the help so far.

@Istolealoafofbread: Make mine a Guinness with a whiskey chaser. Cheers

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:17 pm

i've never used the norton backup thing.was wondering if you have another pc you could use to access it and then transfer the stuff that way.

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:18 pm

Mate have you got an old copy of vista/xp? Fire that up, set norton up then recover your shizzle to an external. Re-install 7 again (groan) then plug your external hdd back in. This would be my one and only fix if I found myself in your situation.

Failing that I could lend you an axe?? Wouldn't fix the problem but would make the next 15 mins very enjoyable!!

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:30 pm

Ok guys - if and WHEN my current plan of installing SP1 fails I will do exactly what you guys suggest. I do have a copy of xp that should do the job. Will have to turn of that damn Bitlocker encryption on the external first because as far as i am aware xp can't open drives with that on it. If that is the case it will probably be some time tomorrow before I get this sorted because it will take some time to decrypt a 2TB drive that is almost full. I do like making things hard for myself don't I?

Would love to +1 you guys again but can't so will just say thanks a lot.

I will report back in a while and let you know of the impeding failure of the SP1 plan. Mad

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:53 pm

The only product that seemed ok by symantec was Norton Ghost for me..
My Wife has a wee netbook came with Norton 360 Netbook Edition the first thing I did was uninstall it. Better of going by the users options High4life..

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 2:01 pm

thetazzzz wrote:

Better of going by the users options High4life..

I totally plan to - just the OCD side of me needs to see if I can fix it.

I never had an issue with Norton. I know its a bit of a resource hog and all, but seeing as I never really needed to push my computer to its limits I never noticed the drain. I thought (and still do) that it is a good AV. Just wish it was more reliable compatibilty wise if you know what I mean.

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:30 pm

Apologies for the double post, but to my complete and utter amazement my plan to install SP1 and then Norton has worked. I am restoring my files now and then will be throwing Norton to the bin.

Thanks to all for your input. I would have gone mad without your advice. Very Happy

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:49 pm

Mate, glad your problem is fixed, i had a proper nightmare with my norton 360, it was working fine until some update or other, then all hell broke loose. Took me about 3 days to realise it was Norton's fault...glad it seems to have taken you only a few hours Very Happy

Now for a quick fix, get AVG free until you can afford/be bothered to change to Avast paid.

And use the Norton Install Disc as target practice Laughing

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:04 am

1024gig wrote:

And use the Norton Install Disc as target practice Laughing

Will be borrowing your axe for that one.

Left the PC running last night while it restored all my files. Now to burn Norton from my PC, my memory and my life. Very Happy

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:52 pm

Use acronis live cd to make an image of your pc, then you can always restore files or your entire OS without the need of an OS Wink