Thanks jensm for this information
I think this is simply the answer, most of the users (which have not yet received the patch) waited for over the past days/weeks. We simply would like to know WHY. And now, we know it, there was a technical problem.
Maybee next time, just give us this information earlier - it would have eliminated some (angry) reactions in this forum.
Looking forward for the 16.5 patch arriving in Switzerland... 
I get the impression that everyone is reading far too much into the precise wording used at one moment or another -- by any of us, not just Tim.
But in any case it looks as if your answer is here in another part of the woods:
http://community.norton.com/norton/board/message?board.id=nis_feedback&message.id=40753#M40753
posted by jensm at 03-17-2009 04:39 PM
and this just posted with some of the changes:
http://community.norton.com/norton/board/message?board.id=nis_feedback&message.id=40776
and there will be no prizes for the first to post "I want my 16.2.0.7 back" ......
thanks renatorichina for the feedback. In the future we will be more proactive with technical details.
Here is a list of some of the changes for 16.5:
- Fixed an issue where you may not be able to access shared folders on a computer connected to your home network.
- Fixed an issue where the Quick Scan Open Security History expansion was not working on first click.
- Fixed an issue in Home Networking Map - not warning the user that another user is viewing the map.
- Fixed an issue in Home Networking – removing a remotely monitored device does not persist.
- Fixed unnecessary UAC warnings during install/configuration.
- Fixed a crash in Home Networking Map User Interface.
- Fixed a crash in the AntiVirus Scan User Interface.
- Fixed a contributing issue for Error 3040,10001
- Improved Home Networking remote monitoring Antivirus item formatting
- Added option to allow Pulse Updates to run when laptop is on battery power (Settings/Miscellaneous Settings)
- Added SONAR support for Vista 64-bit
- Allow Context Scanning (Right-Click file scanning) for Vista 64-bit
- Added Norton Product Tamper Protection support for Vista 64-bit
- Added UMPC support (install UI fits now, auto panning for small screens)
- Added Norton Safe Web integration (watch out for more deails in a separate thread)
(the following issues were also fixed in the 16.2 patch)
- Changes to allow future LiveUpdates better handle error conditions.
- Fixed an issue with 64-bit LiveUpdate patches.
- Fixed several Winqual reported errors.
- Fixed a compatibility issue with Microsoft Outlook Connector after installation of Norton Add-On Pack.
- Fixed an issue where the product would sometimes interfere with its own ability to match IDS signatures properly.
(the following issues were also fixed in the 16.1 patch)
- Fixed issue where Protection updates download but date does not change.
- Fixed issue where in some cases, if you looked at the details of which updates succeeded and which failed, it would show all updates failed even though only one update failed.
- Fixed issue where Virus Definitions were considered non-valid in certain scenarios.
- Fixed instance where Advanced Protection will fail to start.
- Fixed issue where LiveUpdate fails to download and apply Web Protection definitions.
- Fixed issue with Identity Safe showing garbled characters in a few areas of the User Interface.
- Fixed multiple instances of ccSvcHst.exe crashes caused by components.
- Fixed issue with ccSvcHst failing to shutdown on a reboot (End Task dialog displayed indefinitely).
Thank you jensm for the update as well as the change log! Impressive.
Floating_Red wrote:...
If you tested the Norton Safe Web during Beta, please Remove it. If you have Version 16.2.0.7, please un-install it also.
I am missing something here. Is this for this poster in particular or for everyone?
I have three computers, all running NSafeWeb (beta), all which had 16.2.0.7.
I did not receive (nor see) any notice about doing either of the above. On one computer, I got the 16.5 update and new NSafeWeb without any issues or preceptible artifacts from the beta. On the other two, I am still waiting for the update.
I didn't see any notice to uninstall 16.2.0.7 either.
As a matter of fact, it is the only way to get the update to 16.5 as the current download package is version 16.2.0.7.
The 16.5 installer has been uploaded and posted on the trial downloads section of the Symantec website.
Do you have the link to that? Please!
Looks like it might me coming now! I’ve got a 13mb update downloading!
And the NIS 2009 Engine update failed. Everything else installed fine though, including the product update.
Make sure you reboot 2 times.
Yes that’s what I did a manual liveupdate than NIS asked me to reboot , and still I was with 16.2.0.7 than i did a second manual liveupdate , rebooted and there it was the 16.5 version (happy dance lol) Thanks to the Norton team …
On my 3rd reboot, still fails. This is what I get:
NIS Engine
Norton 2009 Product Update
Status: Failed to complete
Update Criticality: Recommended
jensm wrote:
Hi, Good news. We are shipping the 16.5 patch today. The build number is 16.5.0.135.
It is right that we had problems last week when we attempted to ship it. There were too many install failures related to the toolbar update. The patch installer did not take into account the beta SafeWeb toolbar that we shipped last year over Norton Labs.
The history with the 16.5 patch is that it is one of the largest patches we sent out for a while. For 2008 and 2007 we did not send a patch for the .5 update because the legacy MSI based installers were too complex and the likelihood for massive install failures too high. We are updating roughly 10 million systems. The 16.5 patch actually requires two patches. One to prepare the patch and another one contains the actual files. Over the last week we mostly worked on the preparation patch. It basically updates the patch technology to the latest version so that the second patch goes through smoothly.
The way we stage the LiveUpdate patch is that we first post it for about 30-60 minutes. Then, on the following days we look into any issues we encountered. If everything goes well we post the patch permanently. Obviously, last week we didn’t make it to the second phase.This year we do have a new installation technology that also performs patching. Our testing went well and we are confident that the patching experience will be positive for all of our customers.
In addition we are going to update the Norton Update Center download links with the latest layouts. The link is www.norton.com/nuc . It takes a few hours for us to change the underlying layouts on this page but they should be live later today.
We will publish a detailed 16.5 changelist on the forum later today. The 16.5 code is basically the underlying code of the N360 Version 3 infrastructure. It includes all bug fixes since we shipped 16.0 that are also in N360. This is really a quality release and addresses our top Support issues, including feedback from this forum.
Our store download and trial will also be updated asap. This is on our online store and unfortunately always takes 1-2 days.Message Edited by Tim_Lopez on 03-17-2009 03:49 PM
jensm wrote:
In the future we will be more proactive with technical details.
Here is a list of some of the changes for 16.5:
- Fixed an issue where you may not be able to access shared folders on a computer connected to your home network.
- Fixed an issue where the Quick Scan Open Security History expansion was not working on first click.
- Fixed an issue in Home Networking Map - not warning the user that another user is viewing the map.
- Fixed an issue in Home Networking – removing a remotely monitored device does not persist.
- Fixed unnecessary UAC warnings during install/configuration.
- Fixed a crash in Home Networking Map User Interface.
- Fixed a crash in the AntiVirus Scan User Interface.
- Fixed a contributing issue for Error 3040,10001
- Improved Home Networking remote monitoring Antivirus item formatting
- Added option to allow Pulse Updates to run when laptop is on battery power (Settings/Miscellaneous Settings)
- Added SONAR support for Vista 64-bit
- Allow Context Scanning (Right-Click file scanning) for Vista 64-bit
- Added Norton Product Tamper Protection support for Vista 64-bit
- Added UMPC support (install UI fits now, auto panning for small screens)
- Added Norton Safe Web integration (watch out for more deails in a separate thread)
(the following issues were also fixed in the 16.2 patch)
- Changes to allow future LiveUpdates better handle error conditions.
- Fixed an issue with 64-bit LiveUpdate patches.
- Fixed several Winqual reported errors.
- Fixed a compatibility issue with Microsoft Outlook Connector after installation of Norton Add-On Pack.
- Fixed an issue where the product would sometimes interfere with its own ability to match IDS signatures properly.
(the following issues were also fixed in the 16.1 patch)
- Fixed issue where Protection updates download but date does not change.
- Fixed issue where in some cases, if you looked at the details of which updates succeeded and which failed, it would show all updates failed even though only one update failed.
- Fixed issue where Virus Definitions were considered non-valid in certain scenarios.
- Fixed instance where Advanced Protection will fail to start.
- Fixed issue where LiveUpdate fails to download and apply Web Protection definitions.
- Fixed issue with Identity Safe showing garbled characters in a few areas of the User Interface.
- Fixed multiple instances of ccSvcHst.exe crashes caused by components.
- Fixed issue with ccSvcHst failing to shutdown on a reboot (End Task dialog displayed indefinitely).
We thank you jensm for a more in depth reply on this issue, to which is what we should have received in the first place.
In the future though, do us all a big favor, as you mentioned, be more proactive with technical details, this when you inform your Administrator Tim_lopez. Quite certain that Tim could do without the grief, not failing to mention Symantec keeping their customers happy as well 
Chris1 wrote:
Tim_Lopez wrote:Hello Chris1,
I’m sorry that you feel that I have not been straight forward and honest about this patch. Unfortunately there is no other information besides the information that I have already posted on this forum, and that other threads that have been started on this subject. The controlled release means that some people will get it and some people won’t. This is only temporary until the patch is released fully to the general public. This should be released soon. I know I sound like a broken record, but this is the honest truth that I am relaying to you.
These forums are peer-to-peer discussion forums and Symantec Employees post here when they can on their spare time. They don’t get around to responding to every thread that is posted. Your questions you had regarding 16.2 were answered by other users in the forums.
Perhaps the wording in my initial announcement should have stated that the 16.5 patch will be released soon, and that some users would start seeing the patch show up soon. In any case, it’s the same situation.
I’m sorry that it seems that with the 16.2 and 16.5 patches, that you were left in the dark regarding the status. I’ve done my best to keep everyone updated with information when I have it. I apologize if you feel that it is not enough information. However, it is all the most recent information that I have. I know that the patch is nearing completion of the controlled release. However, I can’t give commitments on dates or times when the controlled release will be complete, as this is something that is likely to change. I would rather give the honest facts out.
Again, I’m sorry if you feel that I have not been honest. However, I have been and will continue to be.
No need for you to be sorry at all, NOR do I feel that you have not been straight forward and honest, however you being the Admin on this forum should be better informed by Symantec on Specifics and not left out in the cold by them to Generalization. It makes you look like a idiot, not good.
I do understand that this forum is a peer-to-peer discussion forum, and that the Symantec Employees whom post here do so on their spare time, but that has no bearing on why it took you until now to answer me. Needless to say I did let that 16.2 thread slide, even though you where the person that I directly asked the question of, and after two responses from helpful different members of this forum, my “SPECIFIC” question was still NOT answered.
Tim when a person directly asks me a question on a forum I will at all times answer him or her back with a reply, regardless if another member has answered that question on my behalf or not. It is only proper etiquette of you to do so as well, which was NOT the case in this thread :
Specific question was :
2.) Please explain in greater detail as too exactly what you mean by your satement: You are distributing this 16.2 patch in a more controlled manner?
Furthermore your answer does not make any common sense : “The controlled release means that some people will get it and some people won’t.”
It does not expalin why a person whom installed NIS 2009 on 2 Identical computers that I had built for him on the same day with only “ONE” out of “TWO” of his computers receiving the 16.5 Update. Both of which have the very same ip includingNIS 2009 installed on each of them within minutes apart.
How do you explain that? This question I would like you to get a answer from Symantec for me.
Tim you do not have to make a apology to me, its not required, but I will tell you, that you will NOT be off my hook until I get that answer from Symantec lol!
Lol Tim you are now off my hook
I have gone to this site www.norton.com/nuc and followed the instructions,uninstalled 16.2 and reinstalled from the desktop icon that was created and still I am on 16.2. Kindly advise clearly whether or not 16.5 is available for download at this time.
Technically, if you run live update you should get it. I did, it just failed to install!
Fixed now! Had to uninstall and reinstall!
I can confirm that the 16.5.0.135 English layout is posted on the NUC (www.norton.com/nuc).
We will post all additional languages within the next days.
Please note that the actual LiveUpdate patch was already removed after it went live for 60 minutes. Depending on the replication on the Akamai servers you might have seen the patch or not. We will analyse the results and then post the patch permanently either tomorrow or on Thursday. If you can't wait to get the patch, please use the NUC and simply over install the latest 09 layout.
I tried the update and still have 16.2.
jensm,
Wanted to let you know that I had to download the install file and tried your "simply over install the latest 09 layout" (not quite sure about the wording there). I took that to mean I could simply install 16.5 over top of 16.2 and the program would do the correct installing / removing / registering / unregistering / etc. NOT! Told the installer to do a partial uninstall of 16.2 to keep my settings so I would not have to work through those again; after 10 seconds I got a Vista popup (and washed out background) of "Symantec program has been shut down......"; I clicked close (figured the installer was shot down due to 16.2 product protection) and then told my debug untility not to start (I don't even want to think about debugging your code). Rebooted thinking that 16.2 might have some errors from the "botched" install; lo and behold (as yes, showing age here), 16.5 showed up. Checked the files and both directories for 16.2 and 16.5 existed. Rebooted and then there was only 16.5. However, there was never an install log file made anywhere. Without this log, I could not detirmine if the product was proper so deleted and installed from scratch.