Windows XP forum: Win XP Defrag OR Norton Speed Disk?

Thank you for your contribution. I started using Norton Utilities in 1989. I loved it and have used it since. However in later years, they have become too arrogant. Their uninstallment program sucks, yet for every failure in installation, I have had to go through my whole registry and windows explorer on a search for Norton, Symantec, Nu, & NSW. I have a really large registry. 250 G byte drive that is pretty full. So you can imagine. It is so easy to make mistakes if you go on automatic. So easy to do. I have even had to format my whole drive just to get it all right. & they want money to talk to me on the phone after I have paid for and never completed installing it. Never again. I use the free programs that Comcast gives me for free, (Full version of McAfee) & what MSN gives me for free along with the full version of Diskeeper. full version of Ad-Aware, Spybot and Spy Sweeper. My computer hums now

I only ever had one product on a computer I owned, the O/S there was Windows 98SE, and that product was the Symantec fax system. Not only did it never work, it was almost impossible to remove (I had to do a full re-install to get rid of it). I can completely support the previous person's comments about Norton, in fact I would go as far as to say I have Trend Micro's Internet Security Suite, this has a full anti-virus system, real-time virus scan, incoming and outgoing mail scan (including attachments), firewall, URL filter, Privacy Data Protection, and Anti Spam.

It is easily updated and should I ever need to remove it from my machine, that is easily accomplished as well.

You are okay with the version you have. I had no problems with it. The 2004 version is where they destroyed what they had. I will not use their software anymore. I have removed Norton.

The most recent outrage by Norton is that for some unknown period the signatures I was downloading were most likely for the Palm OS so the scans on my XP desktop were useless.

I first found out when online renewal of virus signature subscription was described as '...for Palm OS'. How long have my virus scans been using Palm OS virus signatures? Who knows? They're such dumbasses they can't even retire a product code when they discontinue support, so you end up with support for the wrong product.

Every Norton product I've used after the original Utilities (circa 1981) has somehow caused me grief. Most recent was no-notice drop of support for Anti-Virus 2002 and no way to upgrade what came installed on my computer. 'Contact Us' sends email to non-existent address. Had to download a special tool just to uninstall - typical with Norton. Symantec online support reeks and it's impossible to get anyone on the phone.

For years I've only used Norton A/V because it comes installed. Now I will not allow Symantec or Norton on my network period. I now use McAfee but am looking to replace that because the UI sucks. Right-click a file, scan it - does Mcafee tell you what it's going to do when the screen comes up - no - it looks like it's going to scan the whole system. Does it tell you what it did when it completes - no - you know it scanned something but it doesn't tell you what.

Ditto

I am not going to recount the nightmares I have had with recent versions of Norton, but I have ultimately had to completely do a fresh reinstall of Windows XP to get rid of the damage NAV2005 did to my computer -- this after reading reams of technical documents and phone help from both Symantec and Microsoft. Symantec needs to completely rewrite the code and make installation and deinstallation straightforward. The software has become way too burdensome and exacts too severe a toll on system performance. I am now happily using PC-Cillin.

Don't know what your problem is or how old you are, but Norton Systemworks is a fine maintenance suite (minus the anti-virus, which is a system resource hog). Ever heard the saying "If you can't find something nice to say, don't say anything"?

I was a long time user of Norton. I found that running Norton (I upgraded from Win ME to Win XP) my PC was VERY slow. At one time I had ZoneAlarm Pro and Norton Anti virus, I got rid of Norton Anti virus and switched to ZoneAlarm Security Suite. What a difference!!! My PC actually runs so much better!!!

My personal recommendation is this: DON'T use Norton if you don't want a slow PC. If speed is not an issue for you then use Norton products.

As for the topic: defrag utilities. First, I have a fat32 config for my HD because I had the "pleasure" of using the crap OS called Win ME, When upgrading to Win XP I was not able to change to the NTFS config. I used to defrag on a regular basis. I'm noticing that after I run Win defrag utility I have problems with some programs. So, I don't defrag on a regular basis. I also do not notice that much of a difference in speed after running defrag either.

All Norton Products are expensive now and a lot of their programs, IMHO, have software issues. Other programs such as disckeeper, pc-cillin, Panda Anti-virus programs do a better job for less money and do not take control of the PC as Norton does. I prefer disckeeper or the Windows defrag utility.

My PC is messed up with Norton Anti-Virus. I cannot install it nor can I remove it. Symantec sent me three pages of instructions of how to remove it from my registery. I now use AVG and am happy.

This person is telling it like it is! I also had a problem with Norton, after many frustrating attempts to remove it, I even e-mailed Norton about the 'problem'. They, in turn, gave me info that was completely worthless (same as their product). It took a format to rid myself of them and I am worried about even printing their name!!! coley

I recently tried to delete all traces of Norton from my system after having a free 6 month trial from Dell.
I ran Add-Remove programs, and I ran Search with general and specific search criteria. After that I ran Privacy Suite to delete all remnants. I still get pop-up anti-virus error messages from Norton. How can I completely uninstall all traces of this pesky program from my computer? I am using Windows XP Home Edition. I am fed up!

Definitely use one or the other. Each program performs its task with different results. I recommend using Norton Speed Disk over the built in Microsoft utility as it is 2-3x's faster and reorganises your files for faster access based on your history and how you use your machine and applications. Speed is the issue here.

Remember one thing about SAFE MODE, especially if it is not ABSOLUTELY necessary. It totally messes up your desktop icons because it only loads a VGA (640 X 480) video driver. Oh, the icons are all there alright, but if you had them in any special places, like I do, they are not there any more. My advice, leave SAFE MODE for only when it's necessary. To me, time is money, and I sure don't intend to spend a bunch of time rearranging my icons just because defrag runs a little faster. I just start my defrag when I'm ready to go to bed. Then who cares how long it takes? What is so hard about that?

By the way, the answers to this question should take into account which Windows operating system is being referred to. Because the defrags for Windows 2000 and XP are basically on par (at least) with Norton, where as none of the older Windows versions were. It has become quite obvious over the years (remember memory management programs?) if Bill Gates et al had done their homework, there never would even have been a market for Norton/Symantec, et al, products, and all the problems they have caused. Interesting thought, no?

Milo

Anybody tried defragmenter pro plus? It's so incredibly fast that I doubt it could defrag "thoroughly". The longest is 30 min for a 80 Gig disk. I've just done 200 G + 80 G on my Celeron 2.4. Done in 25 min, i.e., after 3 days of downloadong 6 G of DVD binaries! However I tried immediately after with Diskeeper 9. Still at it after 4 hours and waiting impatiently.