I thought it might be of help to anyone who is working on this problem to learn more about the systems that people are running and any new solutions attempted, etc.
First off, version before the current, the framework (19.2.x.x, 19.5.x.x) doesn't actually crash instead the program control feature freezes up, but you can close Norton and reopen just no control.
When updating 19.2.x.x with the current download on Cnet 19.5.x.x) it had 70 updates waiting, which most were called Norton Resources.
I have tried the program from a fresh install of Windows 7 64 bit w/sp1 and Windows 7 64bit with sp1 installed like any addon service pack. The one with sp1 integrated is the one that fails automatically it seems with any version, while the installing of sp1 to a fresh install of 7 seems to not cause the crash of the framework when trying to use program controls.
Giving up to 5 minutes once I finished entering rules while the program control feature was working, did not help.
On both test systems a problem in the error log said something about duplicate entries being made and is wasn't going to allow any for 84600 seconds (which you can change via a DWord value in the registry - but had no impact)
Also on the second system that started with 19.2.x.x when I told it to check for a newer version, it always said it wsa update and multiple attempts with live update made no difference.
I tried changing resolutions to make sure it wasn't a problem there. I also switched between using the on cpu graphics and the discrete Nvidia graphics to no avail. I even went into the Nvidia control panel and made sure everything that was to improve the graphics performance were turned off so as to eliminate the gpu acceleration from causing issues.
.net 4.0 framework with associated service packs were reinstalled after the failure including all the way up to sp3 and no change. All required security fixes and updates from Windows Update recommended (not optional) for .net framework or other key windows component have been installed or reinstalled after Norton fails.
Readyboost was disabled by not setting up the sdhc memory card to ensure that wasn't the issue. No ramdisk used. No compression of data on the hard drive.
I also tried setting the program to run as admin only. I also tried to set compatability to plain win7, vista, vista sp1 and sp2, program would not launch.
Neither systems have SSD's as boot drives.
Both whent the failure occured stated there was an issue with a database that had to be recovered.
No other sec. product installed.
.net 4.5 not installed since since just a RC (beta) and not a RTM or final version.
So now system specs:
Computer where the framework crashes with the current version of Norton 2012:
Alienware M17x R4 Laptop
Ivy Bridge 37xx mobile processor (includes the 4000hd igpu with 8gb of ddr3 1600)
HM77 chipset, 17.3 inch screen (all resolutions were attempted to make sure) w Intel 4000HD iGPU and 660m GTX Nvidia
Service pack 1 was intergrated into Windows 7 64bit
Nothing overclocked
Either 1 or 2 drives in non-raid present
Seagate Momentus XT - 32mb Sata 3 (6gbs) 7200rpm
Reinstalls were from factory default iso
Computer that isn't running the current version but doesn't have a framework crash of 2012:
Asus P8Z68 Deluxe (not gen 3)
Sandy Bridge Core i7-2600K (no overclocking currently being made) with 3000HD Intel iGPU and 8Gb of ddr3 1600
Z68 Chipset, Geforce 580SC (EVGA model), and of course 3000HD iGPU
Service Pack 1 was not integrated in the install it had to be installed seperately.
Nothing overclocked
2 Hard Drives in AHCI mode only no raid
Western Digital 2TB 64mb Sata 3 (6gbs) 7200 rpm
reinstall was from Microsoft DVD (retail not oem)
If others could post their specs in a similar fashion maybe we can at least track down on our own what systems seem to be impacted by the problem.