Internet Security 2012 has removed all my programs

Manx · ‎02-07-2012

Have used Norton for years but yesterday shock horror, purchased new Internet Security 2012 proceeded to install and bang there goes my hard drive wiped nothing will work , Office Pro 2010, i Tunes, Google Earth and no back up that's also wiped? My system is Windows 7 Ultimate I did not remove my last Norton before this new install HELP.

Atomic_Blast · ‎09-05-2011

Hi Manx:

Welcome to the Norton Community!

Have you tried to reboot your system? Can you boot into Safe Mode?

If not, have you ever condidered the possibility of hardware failure?

Please let us know.

Thanks,

Atomic_Blast :)

"Every day is just another increment on the bell curve of life."

Manx · ‎02-07-2012

Hi

The short answer my computer was ok until I attempted to install Internet Security 2012 which has wiped my comp clean as a whistle, I tried reboot then windows restore to a date before this happened all worked ok so no hardware failure but again all programs gone nothing works including my OS Windows 7 Ultimate, I am no expert or geek but this Norton program has cost me dearly and I regret the day I purchased the thing because now I will have to spend days putting all my programs back on.

huwyngr · ‎04-13-2008

Manx wrote:
Hi

The short answer my computer was ok until I attempted to install Internet Security 2012 which has wiped my comp clean as a whistle, I tried reboot then windows restore to a date before this happened all worked ok so no hardware failure but again all programs gone nothing works including my OS Windows 7 Ultimate, I am no expert or geek but this Norton program has cost me dearly and I regret the day I purchased the thing because now I will have to spend days putting all my programs back on.

Could you please tell us where you bought the copy you installed -- from Norton OnLine with a download from their website; from a store on a CD or from an internet source with a download or with a disk that you used?

What you described is known to occur with some of the malware infections that exist so perhaps the copy you bought was infected.

Also running Windows Restore can upset security applications if you do not disable them before you run the restore because the restored system does not match the details that the security application has recorded to detect when malware has changed something. But that is a seperate issue so lets deal with the initial disappearance of your installation.

I'm not trying to blame you one little bit -- I know how upsetting it is if something like this happens and we want to resolve it.

Also would you tell us what security application you had installed on your PC before you installed this copy of NIS and how you removed it. Most security applications need more than the Windows Uninstall routine and their websites have a tool you can download for their product.

Hugh

Manx · ‎02-07-2012

Hi Hugh

The CD disk was purchased at WH Smith on the Isle of Man in the UK, I only use Norton Internet Security and have done so for many years. My existing security application, that expired, was Internet Security 2011 Performance Pack I did not remove it prior to installing this new 2012 product.

Victek · ‎11-05-2008

I would have someone look at the copy of Norton Internet Security you used to determine if it is legitimate or if in fact there is malware on it. It is simply not possible for NIS to "wipe your system clean" - NIS cannot format your hard drive. And when you say your hard drive is "wiped clean" what exactly do you mean? Did you boot from a CD and confirm that the hard drive is erased, or do you mean you can't open your applications on the desktop?

Manx · ‎02-07-2012

Sorry forget to inform you that the disk worked ok on my Laptop OS Vista it installed ok no problem my other comp is a desktop and again sorry if I use the words "wiped clean" I placed the disk into my drive it started to install then when I checked back later on it had finished or so I thought but all my programs had all disappeared my comp to me was a total blank.

I have not said it formatted my hard drive but managed some how to remove all my installed programs that included my Windows 7 Ultimate I tried all sorts to recover including my Repair Disc this to failed to help me out.

Atomic_Blast · ‎09-05-2011

Hi Manx:

It would seem that this was purchased (sealed) from a valid retailer.

Is that right?

Have you tried manually turning off the computer and on again?

What happens when you do that? What do you see?

As huwyngr had asked, did you have any security software on your computer before you tried to install NIS?

Please let us know. We really wish to help you.

Thanks.

Atomic_Blast :)

"Every day is just another increment on the bell curve of life."

Freddles · ‎11-03-2011

I am following this thread with interest because I was about to install NIS from a (sealed) disk purchased online. I currently have Norton 360 which ends tomorrow, but NIS cost so much less. I was rather shocked at the renewal price of Norton 360.

I'm not sure what is happening with my account at this moment in time, I wish I did. Please read my thread 'Renewing my subscription' and tell me what you think.

huwyngr · ‎04-13-2008

Manx,

OK -- a reputable source well known to an ex-Manunian like me!

Norton Internet Security 2012 Performance Pack is NIS 2012 with a copy of Norton Utilities as well; it doesn't sell under that name everywhere. Did it come with 2 disks, one for each, or is it all on one install? Did you install just NIS or both? Any diference between the two computers so far as the installation procedure went?

That it installed OK on the laptop indicates that the disk is not corrupted or infected (I think only Sony and maybe Microsoft are known to have sent out infected CD's <g>) so my first thought would be that the other PC must have been infected with something laying dormant and triggered by the installation of a replacement security program (after it had disabled the existing one.

OK that's a hypothesis at present but one that would explain it.

Norton has a bootable CD utility called Norton Power Eraser that you could download on the laptop and burn to a CD to run on the other PC so you might like to do that while waiting but I'd rather you didn't run it on the damaged PC until a few of my colleagues have a chance to contribute --

Did you try to boot up the damaged computer into SAFE MODE as someone suggested? This could be very helpful since if it does then it does mean that the files are there.

If you don't know how to do this can you let us know the make and model of your PC if it is not a custom built one but there's a key you press immediately the computer starts to boot up and the screen you get then often tells you which key to press for BIOS Setup and which for other modes.

Have you rebooted the computer since it has appeared blank as suggested also?

You said << all my programs had all disappeared my comp to me was a total blank. >> That means that the computer is working OK except for these programs disappearing? Just that you can't see your programs.

Will you please say exactly what the computer was like before you tried the Repair Disk and just what disk that is. Is it what many PCs call Restore to Factory Condition? If so that does what it says and puts the computer back to how it was when it left the factory which means that anything you installed created or downloaded since you got the PC is no longer there.

Some such disks may include a Repair Windows alternative which is not destructive but often that is not available on the disks but only if you run it from within WIndows where it may be under a menu entry Recovery Manager (that's what HP calls it)

Sorry to throw so many questions but we can't see your computer!

Hugh