Using the Norton SystemWorks cleanup utility (SYMClean)

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Using the Norton SystemWorks cleanup utility (SYMClean)

Situation:
This document explains how to use the SYMClean utility. SYMClean is typically used in any of the following situations:

- When the Windows® Add/Remove Programs utility fails to fully remove Norton SystemWorks 2002/2001.
- You encountered problems while installing Norton SystemWorks, and a technician advised you to use SYMClean.
- You see a message while installing Norton SystemWorks that indicates that a previous version was detected, even though you already uninstalled the previous version.

Solution:
SYMClean is designed to remove leftover Norton SystemWorks files and registry entries that may be interfering with the Norton SystemWorks installation.

Important: Do not use this document to remove Norton SystemWorks 2003 or later. SYMClean has not been updated to remove those versions. If Add or Remove Programs failed to completely remove Norton SystemWorks 2003 or later, then read Using the Norton Removal Tool. That document provides a completely automated removal tool for Norton 2003 or later products.

Before you begin:

If you have not already tried to uninstall Norton SystemWorks automatically, use the Windows uninstall utility rather than the SYMClean utility to uninstall Norton SystemWorks. SYMClean is a small program that should be used for emergency manual uninstallation only after you have tried to uninstall Norton SystemWorks using the Windows uninstall utility.
SYMClean 2003 does not remove Norton SystemWorks 2003/2004 or its component products. It is designed to remove only older versions of Norton SystemWorks and its components. Using SYMClean to remove Norton SystemWorks 2003/2004 results in an incomplete uninstallation, and requires that you perform a manual uninstallation to more fully remove Norton SystemWorks. For more information on what items SYMClean removes, read the document Introduction to SYMClean.

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How to use the Windows uninstall utility

How to use the SYMClean utility

If SYMClean displays a message that says there is no previous NSW installation to remove

When you cannot install NSW after using SYMClean

How to obtain the latest version of SYMClean

Technical Information:
Why use SYMClean
Norton SystemWorks is not intended to be installed over the older versions of NSW. If you encounter problems while installing NSW, the problems may be due to an incomplete uninstall of the previous version. In some cases, the Windows uninstall utility does not remove all of the Norton SystemWorks files and registry entries. SYMClean is designed to remove leftover Norton SystemWorks files and registry entries that may be interfering with the Norton SystemWorks installation.

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Document ID: 2001101612274407
Last Modified: 10/20/2008
Date Created: 10/16/2001
Operating System(s): Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP
Product(s): Norton SystemWorks 2003