Just my 2 cents:

The Norton Internet Security and Anti-Virus are fine when configured correctly.  The optimizer tool can get a little out of hand in my opinion.  I think we all get a little zealous in trying to tweak something beyond its limits.

GoToMyPC??  All depends on how your newtork is setup.  You cna accomplish the same thing with VPN and Remote Desktop Connections.  Are you wanting to control the desktop of just get to files?

thanks for the response.  setting up the network is my other thing.  when i work at home with my laptop would want to access my office computer with complete control, rather than limit access to moving files. That is the extent of the "network".   i have seen complex descriptions as to how to remote access with XP Pro, though unknown whether XP Pro allows "control"  GoToMYPC, as described, allows control and appears easy to use, but costs $200.00/yr.  XP presumably is free, but the description is complex.  avoiding a daily hassle would be worth $200/yr., easily. . The

Looks to me as if Norton Anti Virus is necessary.  I take it you deem the remainder of the NOrton utilities a duplication of what is already offered by Windows XP???    is it a bit curious that when you see these programs, e.g. Symantec described in the mags (in this case Laptop Magazine--Laptop Editor's Ultimate choice--they never mention that the program is unnecessary cause same function already exists on XP.  That is my quandry as to whether this thought is correct.

If it is optimum performance you are looking for, you don't want the pre-installed Dell-installed stuff on your computer -- and that *includes* any Norton product.

Norton products have the infamous reputation of slowing down a machine significantly. I had the chance to test this for myself when receiving a new 8400 3.0 GHz in March. I first used it as shipped by Dell for 60 days, benchmarking it with PCMark05.

Then I started to slowly get rid of products I really didn't want, such as Norton's suite. Performance on the benchmark went up about 10% just due to getting rid of that very infiltrating program.

I did not find any significant gain in getting rid of the other pre-installed Dell ware, though.

After about 90 days, I reformatted the hard drive and re-installed XP myself to tweak the machine just the way I wanted it. It runs blazing fast now. For security, I use only XP firewall + Microsoft AntiSpyware + Grisoft AVG Free 7.0 .

Norton does not slow down a machine to any significant extent, some yes, but a lot, no.  Keep the firewall or get a free zone such as Zone Alarm, but definitely keep the Anti-virus.

The biggest thing against a preconfigured systems is everything sits on one big partition and that's just stupid, if you care about your data.  20 gigs is a gracious plenty for the OS and programs.

graffen--you are starting to get at my question.  the norton utility suite sits on top of the Windows XP System Tools Utilities.  Unknown how these two are related when Norton is installed, but, on my present system i have trouble using the Windows Utilities with the Norton Installed.  some of the Window stuff (e.g. the cleaner) refuse to work at all.  +, as you noted, Ive always debated the extent that Norton program slows down the whole system.

HOWEVER, the above presumes that the speed slowdown matters.  are these processors now fast enough that a 10% speed reduction due to the norton program (and maybe other programs) has any real signficance for non-gaming applications(???). 

I see that you got rid of all your Dell preloaded stuff.  I have alwas done that.  But, noticed you extended this to also removing windows and reinstalling.  why did you think reinstallation of windows would help anything, ifyou care to respond further.  frank brown, kcmo

I tend to go for cheap and effective versus expensive and effective. The utility for Remote Access included with Windows XP is perfectly sufficient for the task of taking functional control over a different and distant machine you own. I don't find it to be complex. I can control in every way my parents' machine from 100 miles away, and they've had a full voice mail inbox for a year due to being baffled by the much simpler technological of the telephone. It's really a small matter of setting both machines to be able to send/receive Remote Assistance dialogues.

I've watched Norton's products on hundreds of machines over the years. Now more than ever, they are gigantic and invasive of the machine's operating system. There is also the ridiculous annual surcharge to be able to receive updates. All of Norton products functionality can be had for free, either through knowing XP well, or in free security programs available online and which have stood the test of independent review over time.

Microsoft's free AntiSpyware has in the last two months received accolades from security experts online. I have watched as MS has made this program more powerful and all-encompassing. I am impressed to the point that I now use it on all my XP installs -- on every machine.

Grisoft's famous AVG AntiVirus 7.0 can't be beat for free, effective systemic monitoring. Updates on antivirus modules are made every 48 hours or so. You download them for free, forever. Even on my most protected machines, it effectively finds problem malware about once every quarter-year.

Regarding my decision to wipe out format the hard drive, and start anew, as described above the problem is that Dell installs on this junk on the same partition as Windows. I keep separate partitions -- for my effective study of a machine only -- for DOSboot; Drivers; Windows Vista; Windows XP; Games; and, Programs.

this tends to confirm what i suspected--the "invasiveness" of these programs.  reason own interest here (cause otherwise i do only basic computing) i do play computer speed chess at high levels.  i need the other person's move to appear on my system instantly.  at the top advanced levels these players are 6 seconds faster than my present system. (i play one minute moving the pieces as fast as physically possible and i lose by 6 seconds and thinking "HEY, what gives???)" im convinced this significant difference in speed results from system tweak or my java simply fails to show the moves quickly enough for me to respond.  unknown which.  course, talking micro seconds here.  per graffen , have decided on these new systems to utilize windows to extent it does the jobs.  will use the Norton anti virus due to this quote  from laptop mag:  "Norton antivirus is best standalone antivirus utility, thanks to an obscenely comprehensive scan feature that links to norton's renowned virus database."  intutivively  thinking norton anti virus superior to microsoft or others for long haul presuming the norton anti virus standing alone would in terms of system slow down be of the same effect as any other anti virus program????  thanks for all your help. feb.