Clean Install

Question

I am having so much problems with NIS 2005, can't seem to uninstall all the files so that I can uninstall and reinstall.  I have tried and retried I can't even count how many times to uninstall all the files and folders for this according to the Symantec technician that have been telling what to do over and over again and again.  This has been going on for almost a month now, trying this and trying that and still cannot get it to work properly.  I have read in some of the subjects here in this forum about some people doing a clean install of their computer then reinstalling the product.  Does anyone think this might do the job?  How do you do a clean install of my computer?  Can someone give me details on how to do this step by step?  I am a beginner on computer stuff so please make the steps easy enough for me to understand, okay?  Do you think I should do a clean install of my computer to get rid of all the old and corrupted files of symantec?  I think there are a lot of corrupt files that is why I'm having a problem with getting this software to install properly.  Any suggestions, would be helpful.  Thanks.

Mary G · Answer

I would never do a clean install of the operating system to get a piece of software to work. Don't even consider it. You'll cause more problems. Norton Internet Security can be difficult to install and configure for many people. I'd consider chucking the whole thing--except of course the separate NAV part--and installing Zone Alarm. I've got NIS 2004 that came with my new computer and I've turned off Privacy, Anti spam, Parental and Ad blocking (I use Google) to get it to work better. So far, it's OK. Try turning off those 4 items and see if that's better for you. You'll still have the necessary firewalls and anti virus protection. You can check your Security settings at www.grc.com Just go to Shields Up! link.

CDLOUS4 · Answer

Okay, clean install is not a good idea.  I won't do that then.  The NIS 2005 that I have installed on my computer all works except for the Intrusion Detection one.  All the others work but I cannot get the Intrusion Detection one to turn on, always an error message.  I do everything that I'm told about the error message from this and have been in contact with Symantec technicians for almost a month now to try to resolve this issue but nothing seems to be working at all so I don't know what else to do.  Should I just leave it the way it is?  It's just that every time I open NIS 2005 an error box comes up for this Intrusion Detection and it such a pain all the time but it doesn't matter what I do to try to resolve this issue, nothing is working.  What is your opinion on this and what do you think I should do?  Thanks.

simpswr · Answer

I respecfully disagree with Mary . . if you have been fighting this problem for a month, I would back up data and perform a fresh install.  Should take less than a day to install and update XP and your programs.  You can use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to speed the recovery of data and settings . . This is a really good guide to reinstalling XP on a Dell.    wrs

CDLOUS4 · Answer

That's what I thought.  A fresh install would solve all my problems.  I've never done one of these and have no clue what to do.  I am a little scared also.  Will it recognize my new hard drive I had put in my computer cause now I have 2 drives 'C' and 'D'.  I understand I have to back up all the stuff that I have on this computer and then reinstall it after the fresh install.  Is there anything else that I need to know before I put the CD in my computer?  Again, I am so afraid I will do something wrong but I know I need to do this.

simpswr · Answer

Enter BIOS ( Setup ) and set the first boot device as CD/ROM. Put your XP Disc in the drive and disconnect all external peripherals except the keyboard and mouse, and be sure those are not USB, or wireless. Any internal USB card should also be removed. If your D drive is a separate Hard Drive , versus a partition on the same disc, I'd disconnect it for the installation just to be sure you don't format the wrong Drive.

Once you set your BIOS to boot first from cd . . when it restarts you will see a black screen with a prompt "Press any key to boot from CD" . . do that and you will be able to delete partitions and recreate the ones you want and proceed to formating and installing XP

That message can pass quickly, so have a finger on the keyboard when you boot. This will delete all data on the drive so be sure you have your important data backed up.

This is a really good guide for reinstalling on a Dell: http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm

You will have to reload drivers (Chipset first) and applications, After the installation, you will need to download and install SP-2, while windows is clean. Prior to connecting to the internet be sure you enable the XP firewall.

If you want to save your files and settings, you can use the XP Files and Settings Transfer (FAST) wizard to create an image of them and save to cd or other removable media. This is a good guide to using the FAST wizard. Just be sure you have an up-to-date antivirus before you re-instate them!

Good luck and have fun! . . wrs

CDLOUS4 · Answer

Also do I have to disconnect everything from my computer like printers, DVD-RW, digital cameral, etc.  If so, what do I do just unplug them?

CDLOUS4 · Answer

Okay I understand about disconnecting all the things attached to my computer and I will have to rehook up my mouse and keyboard that came originally with my computer.  Now, my hard drives.  I have no idea how to take my other hard drive out of my computer and I don't think I want to attempt it either.  This new drive has basically all programs like games and things like that anyways.  The initial drive 'C' that was in my computer has all the windows stuff and programs on it.  I do not want to have to take anything out of my computer to do this so there must be a way to leave it in there.  Again, this will be my first time doing this and it makes me so nervous that I will do something to wreck my computer.  Please let me know if I can keep the other hard drive in and what to expect when I do a clean install with both drives.  Thanks.

simpswr · Answer

You can just disconnect the data cable or the power cable to disable the second drive . . you can also leave it in and be carefull about which drive you install XP on. .   If you follow the guide here it will go well . .   wrs

CDLOUS4 · Answer

Thanks for all your help.  I will check back here and let you know how it all goes, okay?

CDLOUS4 · Answer

I have all my importand data all saved on discs.  I connected my mouse and keyboard that originally came with my computer.  Now do I disconnect all my USB things I have plugged in?  Do I also disconnect everything in back of the tower and just leave the mouse and keyboard and monitor plugged in back there?  When I do all of this clean install, where do I go to install SP2?

simpswr · Answer

Now do I disconnect all my USB things I have plugged in?  Yes   Do I also disconnect everything in back of the tower and just leave the mouse and keyboard and monitor plugged in back there?  Yes   When I do all of this clean install, where do I go to install SP2?   Here   wrs

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