Wont boot"unable to initialize anti virus"

[Parangles]

Hello to all,
I deleted ( my rightious, paid full price) Norton AV 2000 to get rid of its nag about updating, and then reinstalled it, but when I rebooted it froze in DOS with the msg :
" NAV autoprotect unable to initialize the virus scanning
engine database files."

I got it, ( Win 98SE) into safe mode and deleted the AV program again, but now it just goes straight into safe mode after rebooting.
Whats happening ? Thanks !

PS I lost 'Windows installer' files recently but downloaded and installed them (instmsia.exe ) .The only other thing I've done recently is uninstall 'Mailwasher' freeware.

PPs- I just ran a bootlog and the only thing that jumped out
at me was "load fail- ndis2sup.vxd "
Microsofts site says this is a network file and that it won't
neccecarily load depending on my configuration.ie- probably not a problem.

Can I try reinstalling the Windows CD ? Is there any danger in that ?
Thanks?

PPS - 7pm EST- did a 'restore' of Norton AV from "Uninstaller"
rebooted and got "unable to locate NAV AV configuration files" in DOS,and it booted into Safe Mode again.

I need even some words of encouragement.

[SARGE]

You said you "deleted the program". Hopefully you meant uninstalled using the correct option. Since it boots to safe mode, hit start, run and type msconfig and select startup tab. Uncheck any references to Norton there. Norton was probably set to scan the bootup files and when you deleted the program there's now a missing link.

[Parangles]

Thanks Sarge- tried that but I'm still in Safe Mode.
What are the possible cause of a PC going into safe mode?

[fudtone]

Also in msconfig check the troubleshooting button and make sure there are no check marks.

I have seen this once long ago but possible it is disabling 32 bit from here.

[GaryRouth]

Hi all

If none of the above steps get the system happily humming, I can't see why you couldn't reinstall. You could try an over-the-top, with perhaps some cleanup just beforehand.

1) Try uninstalling as much of Norton as you can (you might check their website to see if they have a special, thorough uninstall tool for your version).
2) After uninstalling as best as the auto-uninstallers can, then manually go in with Windows Explorer & check for leftover Norton program files and folders.
3) from Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information, look in on Software Environment/Startup, and see if there are still Norton items listed to start. If so, write down where they are starting from (check the column "Called From") and use regedit to delete those values from that key [most likely in the HKEY_Local_Machine/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Run and /Run Service keys], or use NotePad to delete the lines the appropriate .ini file listed in that Called From column [you would see something like load=programname.exe]
4) Run RegClean 4.1, which was updated to work well with Win98se. http://download.com.com/3000-2094-88...ml?tag=lst-0-1 Details on how to run it are in the ReadMe.txt file.
5) Have your Win98se product I.D. ready, and try an over-the-top http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...threadid=70846

When done, you should qualify for the upgrade rebate from Norton (as the registered owner of a previous version), grab the 2003 or 2004 version for $5 at your local BestBuy, etc. There's a big promo right now: you pay about $40, fill out two rebate forms, and you end up paying $5 plus the tax. Not too bad. Get a full year of subscription too.

See if that does it
. . . Gary

[P.S. . . . if things are fine after step #4, you can actually skip the reinstall altogether & just try a new Norton]