Yesterday (10-06-11) I tried to download the newest version of Norton 360 (v. 5) onto an earlier version. When I got to the download icon, I clicked on it and a download window appeared. However, this window was blank. When I backed out of the download function and went to C Documentsand Settings (my name) My Documents Downloads, the newest Norton 360 Download Manager icon was there. I clicked on it and it said that the newest version was installed, but needed to be activated. I have no idea how to do this! I could not find the new version in my temp download files. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Yesterday (10-06-11) I tried to download the newest version of Norton 360 (v. 5) onto an earlier version. When I got to the download icon, I clicked on it and a download window appeared. However, this window was blank. When I backed out of the download function and went to C Documentsand Settings (my name) My Documents Downloads, the newest Norton 360 Download Manager icon was there. I clicked on it and it said that the newest version was installed, but needed to be activated. I have no idea how to do this! I could not find the new version in my temp download files. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
The version that shows up for my Norton product (Norton 360) is 5.1.0.29
Hi, ORmouseworks,
Take a look at the options offered in this thread from a week or so ago:
http://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-360/Renewal-of-Norton-360/m-p/542814#M55357
First, try Vineeth's list of steps from that thread. If that doesn't work (or is what you've already tried, i.e., the button that isn't there for you, then try the solution offered later that worked for that user--uninstalling (don't forget to use the Norton Removal Tool after you uninstall through Windows Control Panel) and reinstalling through your Norton Account, where your new subscription will be showing.
Good luck, and let us know how it works out!
I just realized that I've had the cart before the horse! In the subject thread of my original post I wrote "Installed but can't Activate." The real problem is that I get a message saying N360 is" Activated but not Installed." No matter which way I try to install the update, I am Unsuccessful. Will I have to uninstall whatever Norton360 version that is currently installed in my computer in order to reinstall the latest version of N360 which I have already paid for online? I have tried Everything to get this installed with (literally) hours of frustration. I've printed out the 10-05-11 reply to a post from mj52art from Spyware Scolder just in case this is what I need to do. I am not computer-savvy and hesitate to remove all of Norton from my computer inorder to reinstall it.
Ahhh, OK--then, yes, that would appear to be where we are at (remove and reinstall). The post you reference is actually mine ("Spyware Scolder" was my "Norton Forums rank" at the time; "DistEd2" is my username) so I can help you with any clarifications you might require. This process has worked for quite a few users, many of which have been relative novices with computers by their own description, so don't worry--it's pretty straightforward...and we'll be here to help!
Good luck--and keep us posted!
This post has been moved to its own thread.
I "think" the problem is solved. We uninstalled Norton (an older version) and then installed Norton 360, version 5 via the internet. It "seems" to be working in that I can get to my Norton 360 account and everything "appears" to be in working order (my subscription is updated to Oct. 2012, etc.). Is there some way to check to see my Norton 360, version 5 is actually working?
What, precisely, are you looking to check?
For firewall testing and general Internet vulnerabilities, one of the most reputable sites is Gibson Research's "Shields Up." I've used GRC products for almost as long as I've used Norton--over twenty years. Edit: Here's a great caveat on interpreting the results, though, written by one of our best Gurus.
For malware testing, this is not recommended. Most "test viruses" are written by specific antivirus vendors, and their principal design criterion is to "prove" that their product works to detect things their competitors' products won't. So if you use one by that company to test its own product, it is certain to "pass," and if you use one by another company, it is almost as certain to fail--not because the product isn't working, but because this is what it was designed to do. And of course intentionally going up against a real, live virus for these purposes is not a good idea, as it may have been augmented with a rootkit or "tweaked" in some other way, and if that should happen to slip it by Norton, you've just given yourself a serious self-inflicted wound. See this post for a more detailed rationale from another of our top Gurus.
Testing Norton 360's other functionality (e.g., utilities, backup) is obviously best done by using it, so you already know how to do that!
To summarize, assuming the absence of some serious malware already, if Norton "appears" to be working, it is working. Software is written to fail obviously, if something isn't in proper order, precisely to avoid the circumstance you're worried about. My best advice unless you engage in high-risk activities that would demand a greater degree of certainty, is to accept your problem as solved, and resume your computing life, protected by "the speed and power of Norton!" 
If you really feel like some form of testing beyond just using your product is in order, cruise on by ShieldsUp! And as for malware--if you want to cross-check Norton with another reputable product that won't run conflicting (real-time) scans, download the free version of malwarebytes, run it now and then for a "second opinion," and have the program check for updates occasionally (as they add new definitions sometimes several times a day).
Thanks for your detailed reply to my latest message! 
I guess I was just looking for a way to know that Norton 360 is firmly installed since I've had so many problems downloading the latest version and then installing/activating it. As far as I know, I think I've finally completed the process successfully. ORmouseworks
LOL; no worries--as you say, after all you've been through here I certainly understand! Glad we got you back in business.