My Norton 360 will not start error 8504, 101. I don't know current version as I can't get into it but it is set to auto update. I am running windows 7. I have this problem before after updates. I always had to remove and reinstall. The problem is I can't get my installation CD with the install code for 2-3 days because I am in the hospital. So I have a computer without protectionh and my computer believes Norton is protecting it. What is the problem here and how do I fix it so it stops happening. It appears this is a programming problem as there are a lot of questions on this site about this error. I need this problem fixed now so I can use the internet. The remove and install tool does not work last night it coulod not even find Norton today it searched for a newer version then indicated I had to remove Norton then reinstall
Often that error is attributable to malware on the system. If the machine is still infected, and you uninstall Norton, you may have difficulty getting it installed again. It might be better to run another scanner to see if any further infections can be removed before uninstalling.
Malwarebytes free version is a very good cross-check.
http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/
I'm not sure if this was just a temporary problem with the software, but after several hours and multiple reboots, Norton finally came back and started functioning normally again. The one click support page told me it was a definitions error, so I'm guessing there might have been something wrong with one of the updates? Oddly enough, there aren't any entries in my Norton logs regarding this error either.
Since then I have scanned using Malwarebytes, SUPERantispyware, Norton, TDSSkiller, and none of them have detected any malware. I've even considered using the Norton Power Eraser tool, but since the tool is so prone to false positives, I wouldn't want to accidently ruin my computer by deleting an important system file.
Other than uninstalling, is there a fix or patch I can download to prevent this error from happening in the future?
dustdevil2
I'm sorry to report that because humans are involved in all of these processes there is no patch that can be applied to make them perfect. The Symantec team does a great job of checking and testing before they turn their products, updates and patches loose on the world. BUT things happen.
Backup regularly, run the malware scans from time to time and keep Norton up to date. After that it is just a matter of time. When something happens, you can come here for assistance, you will have your backups and your cleaning tools so it should be possible to eliminate the problem and be back up and running quickly.
dd,
As dick_evans says nothing is perfect ...
But I have drawn Norton's attention to this thread so I hope they may join in but in any case they do monitor what is going on and it plays a part in their programming, QC and steps to avoid it happening again.
Thanks! I'm actually quite interested to see what Symantec has to say about this error, as well as what could have caused it. If there is a possibility of malware being present, or if Norton has been damaged in some other way, I'd at least like to rule it out.
On the bright side, everything appears to running smoothly and I haven't had any other problems or errors with my Norton product.
dd
I'm not Symantec so it's just me talking.
On more than one occasion I have downloaded a number of updates and had some fail. Over time I have learned that the easiest/best fix for the problem is to reboot and run live update again. To date I have never had to do this more than three times to get everything downloaded and in order. I'm sure there's a good explanation for why it happens now more than 'back in the day' when modems were still acoustic. My personal feeling is that this multi-threading technology isn't quite as perfekt as they claim - whoever they are. By the way this isn't limited to Norton updates and patches.
I see what you mean. Just from looking around, these errors seem to be becoming more and more prevelant, especially with the more recent updates. I'm sure it's probably harmless, it just caught me by surprise because I've never seen Norton actually crash and disable itself alltogether. It's good to hear that this type of problem isn't completely unknown though.
dustdevil2
Multi-threaded file transfers depend on a lot of very complicated timing. Data transfer is a stream of ones and zeros. If there's anything out of order or corrupted during the process there will be trouble. The faster the speeds become and the tighter the bits are packed the greater the chance for error.
Murphy is alive and well - I know because he visits regularly.
We aren't perfect and the things we build aren't either. Errors are a fact of life and preparation before will overcome the pain that comes because prevention isn't possible.
You can run a Norton Power Eraser tool.
One of my computers has recieved this error and there are a number of viruses quarantined on this computer and I'm wondering how reinstalling will affect these quarantined items. Is it safe to uninstall and then reinstall Norton Internet Security 2011?