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General => Technical Help => Topic started by: Glenpenny on Sunday 30 January 11 14:00 GMT (UK)
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My pc is an Advent T9001 running Windows XP3. I ran a diagnostic check and this tells me there is a problem with the Symantec Network Security miniport. I contacted Symantec (I have Norton protection) and they told me I should contact my pc's manufacturer.
I've been trying to find a website which will let me download free driver updates but it's all very confusing. Can anyone help please?
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Hi
Symantec have been having problems "with this" for over 2 years.
This was end 2008 .........
http://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-360/Symantec-Network-Security-Miniport-issues/td-p/51939
I agree with the conclusion reached then that you uninstall Norton and get something else.
AVG is free ................... http://free.avg.com/gb-en/homepage
NOD32 is free .............. http://www.eset.co.uk/Download
I am running NOD32 on XPSP3 and have yet to find a problem (touch wood)
I am running AVG on W7(laptop) and have yet to find a problem (touch wood)
Kaspersky is not free.
Regards
Ray
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Hi, Glenpenny,
Have you spoken to Norton's Online Chat Support?:
www.norton.com/chat4help
It's free, apparently - they may be able to "talk you through" the problem.
Failing that, if you decide to uninstall and replace Norton, you will need the "Norton Removal Tool" software - Mr. Google will take you straight there.
Good luck,
'Hat.
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Roger,
Yes I've been on the online support. They took over my pc and fiddled around and then said to contact the pc manufacturer. I previously contacted support by e-mail and got a long list of instructions including to firstly to uninstall the devices and restart the computer. The problem devices won't uninstall. So, conflicting advice from Symantec. I'm totally bewildered.
Ray
I've been using Norton 360 covering 3 computers and have been using Norton of one sort or another for several years and this is the first time I've come across a problem, so am reluctant to part with it, especially with 6 months still to go on my suscription. Do you think uninstalling Norton and reinstalling would help?
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Hi
Do not let Norton access your computer with their bloated rubbish software!
As Ray stated there are free AV programs that use far less system resources and work better.
Windows XP also needs a firewall as its own is rubbish, but Windows 7 firewall works fine.
Wul
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Hi,
' Microsoft Security Essentials' works for me. It's free, and regularly updates itself.
Rafter
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Hi all
Question - Would uninstalling Norton and re-installing help?
Answer - Why re-install?
*** Subsequent amendment ***
"What Roger may not have spotted is that"
Roger did spot the link and I agree with him that a fone call to Norton MAY get your money back if they cannot cure your problem.
"The previously quoted link is the Norton site itself, so why waste your time asking them the same question?"
*** End of Subsequent amendment ***
The thread quotes Norton as not knowing and Norton referring people to the pc manufacturers. (In case you did not know the company is part of microsoft.)
I think that the problem may not actually be a problem, although I do not know what the miniport is used for.
Does N360 itself report a problem? If it does not then ignore it (for 6 months)
My view ....
HOME use - If your router is setup "properly" (another subject) , then If the firewall on each pc is working (even XPs) and (the basics of all antivirus s/w) you are scanning emails and scanning files as/when saved then all else is probably belt and braces for most people.
BUSINESS use - pay me and I'll do it 8)
... leave alone, and at the end of your remaining 6 months licence, install something else.
My apologies for attempting to shorten a subject which has many elements.
What does anyone/everyone else think?
;D
Ray
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Thank you all for your input.
Does anyone know what the security miniport actually does? Norton is not reporting any problem and I wouldn't have found it if I hadn't run a diagnostic report. My e-mails etc., are scanned as per usual.
I'm going to drop another e-mail to Norton asking why they are unable to solve the problem before I try uninstalling the whole thing.
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Hiya
That would confirm (to me) what your potential actions are .......
You may not actually be using the feature that the miniport is used for.
I'd ignore the "problem" if Norton is not reporting it.
"If it ain't broke................."
I'd then replace Norton just before the licence expires.
Of course you could always uninstall Norton now on one machine, then install AVG on it.
Ray
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My usual policy when Norton or McAfee is preloaded is to take the machine as far from the net as possible, then remove the program, go on the net, and install a free program, Avast is good, but I like AVG better. I have installed the paid for version on my netbook. My main machine has the protection from Virigin my ISP, they say it can be installed on 3 machines, but they must have difficulty counting beyond 1!
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Hi Ray. Brilliant idea. I'll do just that and see how I go on with AVG. Might have thought of that myself eventually if my brain wasn't totally befuddled. ::) Have written to Norton so will see what they have to say.
Roger
By coincidence my ISP Talktalk rang this morning to upgrade me to, amongst other things, free security. Am thinking about it.
Many thanks,
Glenys
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Hope it works out, a good idea if you are happy with your isp.
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All this talk about Norton (Symantec owns the company), certainly if you have any complaints complain!
(Usually after having to use an online advisor, Norton asks you to submit a satisfaction questionair, just complain about the bad service)
You will not get a refund of any monies, the usual ploy is to give you x months extra service free of charge.
As for Virgin antivirus/firewall software I wouldn't give it houseroom (end of story). :o
Regards Brian (symantec user for 10 years) 8)
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All this talk about Norton (Symantec owns the company),
- Having looked it up, microsoft din't seem to complete the deal.
- Spot on Brian
(Usually after having to use an online advisor, Norton asks you to submit a satisfaction questionair, just complain about the bad service)
You will not get a refund of any monies, the usual ploy is to give you x months extra service free of charge.
- Spot on Brian
As for Virgin antivirus/firewall software I wouldn't give it houseroom (end of story).
- Spot on Brian
Brian (symantec user for 10 years)
- Cant be expected to get it right ALL the time
- Spot on Ray, I mean Brian
As in all things, you pays yer money, you takes yer choice.
Regards
Brian, I mean Ray
:o ::) :o
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The posts regarding Virgin seem to be subjective, Virgin give me no problem apart from them not being able to count, so either my system is Ok or it is crawling with undiscovered bugs! What are the problems with Virgin in plain simple non technical English please?
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Off original topic!
Virgin customer support (offshore) is the fly in the ointment. (I am not very good understanding Indian speakers)
UK support top class.
Virgin security package not very good. (One of our own rootschatter caught a nasty using)
But in all fairness, try out other free/paid for security packages.
(I am biased towards Norton because I have used both in industry and home for a good No of years)
Brian
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Brian, I have found that the time of day is the relevant thing with the support, I believe it is UK based am, and India pm. No objection whatsoever to the Indian people only to the export of UK jobs. Have tried out other packages, Kaspersky too slow, sure Putin reads every email ;),McAfee and Norton have both let me down in the past. As I said before they do seem to have a problem counting computers I have it on only one, but they say I have it on 3! Used Avast, good but fiddly, use AVG free on my netbook.
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I sent Norton Support another e-mail and within an hour had a reply from yet another support worker. This is the fourth different individual (one from the first e-mail, two on line). All, incidentally with Indian names.
Anyway, this fourth chap actually apologised!!! He gave me instructions on backing up my Windows Registry and then how to edit it in order to uninstall the problem miniports but didn't answer my question as to what, exactly, they do.
I'm extremely reluctant to mess around with the Windows Registry and am therefore doing nothing at the moment, given that I don't seem to have any other problems.
I haven't yet had any request from Norton to submit a satisfaction questionnaire.
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Hi
Seems like reply #8 then
R
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Intgeresting that Norton support in addition to Virgin support is based in the sub-continent!
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I received this today from Norton. At least it solves the mystery of the miniports.
(Edited)
If you have any Virtual Private Network software, the firewall tries to install a miniport driver to interact with it. If the Virtual Private Network is no longer available, firewall will no longer be using it, so extra miniport entries may be left over in the Network section of Device Manager.
Though it is reported to be a problem in Device Manager, it is just because it is not being used now. As you are not comfortable in performing the registry editing steps, you can choose to leave it. It will not cause any issue to the computer performance in any way.
You can run registry clean up tool once from Norton 360 and leave the miniport as it is.
If you wish to have it removed, you can contact Chat Support and ask for a Supervisor. I understand that you have contacted Chat Support before. However, Supervisors are experienced technicians and can help you in resolving the issue.
Once again, accept my apology for the inconvenience caused. If you require additional assistance or still have some concerns, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
Have a Nice Day.
Thanks,
Symantec Case Manager
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Amazing, a comprehensive response!