Base Filtering Engine Will Not Start

I got an 5013,3 from Norton Internet Security. The error said Base Filtering Engine could not be started (Result: Failed). The error directed me to a Norton Web Site which was supposed to help. I did the 3 steps. Step 1 Norton Power Eraser. (I executed it. It found nothing). Step 2 Turn off Product Tamper Protection. Step 3 Enable Base Filtering Engine. In step 3 the Windows 7 system gave me an Error 5-Access is denied. I called Norton's techs. They tried to start the BFE without success. They referred me to Microsoft Windows Support. I called them. They asked me to run 'sfc /scannow' in the command prompt. It came back with no problems (no integrity violations). They would not pursue it without charging me. I said no thanks. So now what? My internet research looks like you need to fool around with the registry. This looks scary to me. There are warnings that it could mess things up. Please give me detailed instructions, because I'm not a computer expert. I am running Windows 7 Home Premium. Any help would be appreciated