Norton Internet Security / Norton AntiVirus

[Mr_Bear]

Yesterday, I did a product update using "new version check" to update my NIS2011 to NIS2012.  I'm now on version 19.6.2.10 and can't figure out what went wrong (or what I did wrong) regarding idle time full system scans.  I've read countless threads and posts today and still don't quite get it.

Please, can someone help me.  I noticed under "settings", "computer", "computer scan", "full system scan" there is no drop down menu at all!  I don't know if it's something I did or a corrupt install - but the area to the right is blank under the slider for the setting above for tracking cookies scan.  To the right of this blank area is the link that says "Configure [+]".

I can't remember if there ever was a drop down menu there at all, but when I went into the configuration, I saw it was set for 30 days.  Having 2011 default to 7 days seemed more reasonable, and I tried to set that.  I also wanted to "test" the options and set it to due a full system scan 30 minutes from that point in time.  It never ran.

So after reading the threads, under computer protection I clicked "scan now", then under that I clicked on "custom scan".  I do see a tick in the checkbox next to Full System Scan.  I then clicked on edit and set it to "run at a specific time interval - every 7 days.  Under Computer Scan Settings, there is stil just a blank area directly to the right of "Full System Scan".

I loved and used all the features of NIS2011 and wanted to wait until the bugs were out of NIS2012.  Now that I've upgraded, I'm stuck - I just can't figure out what I should do to be able to get the full system scan to run on its own during idle time - nor does it run if I chose a specific date and time (like I did last night).  I can run it manually from Norton Tasks - or using the Full System Scan link - but that's it.

I'd hate to have to uninstall and reinstall NIS2012 - but if that's the only way, hopefully someone can give me the proper links to the NRT and the latest product download.

Any and all help will be very much appreciated.

Running NIS2012, Free Version of Malwarebytes, Windows 7 64 bit, Core I5-760, 8 gigs ram.

Thank you.

[Krusty13]

Hi Mr_Bear,

You seem to be experiencing a similar problem I have noticed with n360v6.  You might like to have a read through my thread.  Can you tell us if this is the same for you?

Thanks,  Dave.

[Mr_Bear]

Hello Dave - when I first went to configure the full system scan (because there was no drop down menu), I tried setting it at weekly and then chose yesterday (Sunday) at 11:35 PM.  The current time was about 10:30 PM, so I figured it would have enough time to go idle and then the scheduled scan would start.  It didn't.

Also, today I have not had a quick scan run at all, not since late last night - which is unusual since this computer was idle most of the day today.  Though now that I check it under performance - it doesn't show that it was idle today.  Something has changed, but I don't know what it is.

I have the idle time out set to 5 minutes, but can't seem to find where the screen is that would show the "countdown" to idle, like NIS2011 did.  For the record, I have my hard disk shut down after 20 minutes and the computer sleeps after 5 hours.

I also updated an old XP SP3 Pentium 3 machine, and that seems to show that my experimental scheduled scan did run during idle in the wee hours of the morning.

I've restarted this PC again to see if that makes a difference.  I also can't figure out why there's not a drop down menu next to the full system scan setting (unless there's not supposed to be one).

I'll continue to monitor this PC and my older one - and perhaps try your scenarios.  It's all just a bit frustrating.

Thank you for your reply.

-Marty

[crisoco8722]

Hello Mr Bear,

I am unable to help you with the Norton Schedule not working but just to get you going I would suggest that you run your schedules from Windows Task Scheduler. I am currently using this to run all my LiveUpdates and Quick / Full Scans and it works perfectly. You will have much greater flexibility over when you want them to run and I am sure you will be pleased with the result. Once you have all the information to set them up and have a Windows 7 User Account password established it is really quite easy.

I think what you are seeing in the Computer Scan window is quite normal and is just a link to Edit Scan which as you have found out is the same as Scan Now / Custom Scan / Edit.

Don't go back to 2011. I did that and regretted it and ended up back with 2012 again. Hope you get it sorted out. Just be patient. There is a lot to take in.

[peterweb Super RootKit Eradicator]

Do not look for anything on the settings page for Full System Scan except the Configure[+]. There is no need for a button to click.

[Krusty13]

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Mr_Bear wrote:

Hello Dave - when I first went to configure the full system scan (because there was no drop down menu), I tried setting it at weekly and then chose yesterday (Sunday) at 11:35 PM.  The current time was about 10:30 PM, so I figured it would have enough time to go idle and then the scheduled scan would start.  It didn't.

Also, today I have not had a quick scan run at all, not since late last night - which is unusual since this computer was idle most of the day today.  Though now that I check it under performance - it doesn't show that it was idle today.  Something has changed, but I don't know what it is.

I have the idle time out set to 5 minutes, but can't seem to find where the screen is that would show the "countdown" to idle, like NIS2011 did.  For the record, I have my hard disk shut down after 20 minutes and the computer sleeps after 5 hours.

I also updated an old XP SP3 Pentium 3 machine, and that seems to show that my experimental scheduled scan did run during idle in the wee hours of the morning.

I've restarted this PC again to see if that makes a difference.  I also can't figure out why there's not a drop down menu next to the full system scan setting (unless there's not supposed to be one).

I'll continue to monitor this PC and my older one - and perhaps try your scenarios.  It's all just a bit frustrating.

Thank you for your reply.

-Marty

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The Idol Quick Scans,  unless otherwise scheduled,  will only run after new virus definitions are downloaded and your system becomes idol.  These virus def's seem to be less regular on weekends.  I hope Malware creators have weekends off too.    Still,  Pulse Updates do run pretty regularly.

Cheers,  Dave.

[crisoco8722]

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Mr_Bear wrote:

Yesterday, I did a product update using "new version check" to update my NIS2011 to NIS2012.  I'm now on version 19.6.2.10 and can't figure out what went wrong (or what I did wrong) regarding idle time full system scans.

I'd hate to have to uninstall and reinstall NIS2012 - but if that's the only way, hopefully someone can give me the proper links to the NRT and the latest product download.

---

I was thinking back when I experienced problems after updating via the version check. It is remotely possible that you may have other instances of the Norton engine like I had which could be causing a conflict. You may wish to check in Program Files and make sure that you have only one engine 19.6.2.10 listed. If you have other engines listed (sometime ago I remember having 3 engines) then unfortunately you will need to uninstall Norton and run the Removal Tool several times before re-installing. Sometimes when you are experiencing unexplained problems it is advisable to completely uninstall and re-install anyway.

The NIS2012 direct download can always be obtained from www.norton.com/nis12

This will be engine 19.5.1.2 but running LiveUpdate will bring down the latest engine.

Because of the issues I had I now turn off automatic download of new version and when a new major version upgrade becomes available, or I decide to revert back to a previous version, I always uninstall the current product completely (including removing the configuration settings) and then run the removal tool several times. Afterwards I always check in Program Files to make sure there are no remnants of old versions before installing the new version. Sometimes when I want to be ultimately sure that everthing has been removed I may run RegScanner to check that there are no registry remnants still remaining.

I have also made a Word document with screen shots of all my personal settings so that after installing the new version all my personal settings can be easily be updated.

It might seem a bit over the top but I have found that it can prevent hours of frustration when unexplained things start to go wrong.

Just passing on my personal experiences. Hope it helps.

[Mr_Bear]

Thank you everyone for your replies last night and this morning.  You've all given me a lot to think about - along with a good dose of reassurance.

Crisoco8722 - Thanks for your tip about Windows task scheduler and resisting the impulse to revert back to the tried and true 2011.  Also thank you so much for the links to do a reinstall - which may be the way I have to go.  I checked Program files (x86)>NIS>and found two folders: Engine and Engine64 - both only had the one engine in them 19.6.2.10 - so I should be O.K. on that part.  I, too, took many screen shots before updating to make things easier to customize afterwards - a very good idea.  Doing a clean uninstall, reinstall may be worth the effort - as apposed to hours of trouble shooting.

Peterweb- thank you for telling me there's no drop down menu - that's a load off my mind since many posts from late last year on this forum indicated that there were.  It must have been removed during subsequent updated versions of 2012.

Krusty13 - Thanks for the tip about less virus defs over the weekend - as well as your previous tips in your earlier thread.

It still seems a shame that the new NIS2012 has this issue 6 months after its release.  I can't help but wonder if it is finicky in being able to detect when the PC is idle.  NIS2011 showed an idle countdown bar above the lists of tasks that were run - and it had a nice large graph above it to help see what occurred and when.  NIS2012 just shows the tasks that ran - no countdown bar and no zoom of PC status - a step down in my opinion.

The countdown to idle bar would be helpful to see if NIS2012 does indeed have an issue in detecting the idle state -and that larger graph would help to show what process is keeping it from becoming idle - or coming out of the idle state.

I'll give it more time and see what happens before making a decision on which way to go.  Thank you all again for your help, comments, and suggestions.

[crisoco8722]

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Mr_Bear wrote:

Thank you everyone for your replies last night and this morning.  You've all given me a lot to think about - along with a good dose of reassurance.

It still seems a shame that the new NIS2012 has this issue 6 months after its release.  I can't help but wonder if it is finicky in being able to detect when the PC is idle.  NIS2011 showed an idle countdown bar above the lists of tasks that were run - and it had a nice large graph above it to help see what occurred and when.  NIS2012 just shows the tasks that ran - no countdown bar and no zoom of PC status - a step down in my opinion.

The countdown to idle bar would be helpful to see if NIS2012 does indeed have an issue in detecting the idle state -and that larger graph would help to show what process is keeping it from becoming idle - or coming out of the idle state.

I'll give it more time and see what happens before making a decision on which way to go.  Thank you all again for your help, comments, and suggestions.

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When you find a particular facility helpful that has been discontinued and you think it should be re-instated I always think it a good idea to make Norton aware of it. Product Suggestions are there for that purpose. I have used this section of the forum quite a lot to express my opinion. Whether any suggestions get implemented in 2013 remains to be seen.

Remember that if all else fails Windows Task Scheduler is there waiting for you should you want to run your full system scan in idle time. The switches to enter for the task under actions / argument are here should you require them.

Always glad to help. Good luck.

[Mr_Bear]

Thank you again Crisoco8722 for your suggestions and the links you provided.  I greatly appreciate the time and effort you've put into helping me - giving me instructions to use Windows Task Scheduler (which just might be the course I take) and links for uninstall/reinstall.

That link for Product Suggestions will certainly be used.  I haven't explored all the options this forum has to offer, but obviously there's more that I don't know about using it to full advantage than what I do know.

I'd like to take more time to evaluate and experiment with the different options I now know I have and see which is the best fit - but I'll take your advice and not revert back to NIS2011.

I will certainly post back again once I make a final decision  - along with what worked best and why.

Again, thank you for your continued detailed advice and assistance - it is very much appreciated.