I've uninstalled Norton and now Microsoft Outlook and IE work start

Question

I've uninstalled Norton via Control Panel/Add-Remove Software on my Dell Desktop (Windows XP Home, Version 2002, Service Pack 3) with the intention of installing McAfee instead...cheaper to extend McAfee license to a 2nd PC than renew Norton. The instructions from McAfee just said to uninstall Norton, so I did and it uninstalled successfully. I re-booted and tried starting Outlook (to click on a link in an email from McAfee which would take me to their site to start the download) but it would not start properly. I got the MICROSOFT OUTLOOK window in the middle of the screen but it wouldn't go any further...task manager shows it as NOT RESPONDING.  After 3 attempts at this and rebooting each time, I tried starting Internet Explorer (V8) which came up ok and took me to my homepage. I thought if I could get the link URL from elsewhere, I could type it in there and be ok. So I then closed down and started again later, but now neither IE nor Outlook will start and I'm stuck.  I tried McAFee tech support but they said to contact Microsoft. Any ideas?   (I've submitted this from my laptop)

Syd Wall · Accepted Answer

All ok again! Last week I ran the uninstall programme from the Norton/Symantec site...it appeared to run successfully but still made no difference to starting Outlook. Was away for the weekend, so came to have another go at the problem this morning. Started Outloook and it went to NOT RESPONDING again. Stopped and restarted it - this time I got the message something like 'The file PERSONAL FOLDERS did not close properly' so it went through a verifying folders stage and once completed, Outlook started and 2 weeks worth of email was loaded.

So, not sure why it fixed itself after all this time. Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

kirkd · Answer

Check the Norton site for any special uninstall programs. Some of these suites are difficult to completely uninstall.

Syd Wall · Answer

Thanks Kirk - now seems that IE starts once after a re-boot - after doing so yesterday, I got onto McAfee and was able to download everything ok  so McAfee is now running and I'm protected again. During the load process, many extra IE windows and tabs were opened successfully, but after they were all closed, IE won't start again (and still no go for Outlook). No time today but will follow your suggestion and look at the Norton site.

williamkidd · Answer

Hi Syd, Try this: Uninstalling your Norton products on Windows XP (Note: Be sure to change the location at the top of the Symantec page if it's not correct.)

Syd Wall · Answer

Thanks William - yes, that's whre I ended up a few minuts ago - your e-mail confirms that I went to the right place. I selected Norton 2007 and the product ran for about 10 minutes, ending saying that it had removed all products successfully.

But still no change for Outlook - it won't start.

IE seems to be ok now, though and has been for a day or two according to my daughter who's been using this PC.

williamkidd · Answer

Syd,

You're welcome. :emotion-1: I'm glad to hear that Outlook is once again working for you. I take it that IE is working again as well?

It seems a little strange that Outlook was affected by a Norton uninstall but I've seen some weird things over the years with computers. Was Outlook closed when you did the uninstall? The Norton Removal Tool may have helped clean up some things that were blocking Outlook and then Outlook fixed its' own storage folders. That may explain it but it's hard to tell for sure.

Here are a couple of articles about Outlook's folders that may be helpful to you:

Fix Your Broken Outlook Personal Folders (PST) File

How to manage .pst files in Outlook 2007, in Outlook 2003, and in Outlook 2002

Locked Topics – Laptops General

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