No Help from Symantec with Live Update & error 1

[CeeDee]

Running Symantec Anti-Virus Corporate Edition Version 8.0.9374, Scan Engine 4.1.0.15 on win XP Sp2 stand alone. Virus Definition 10/21/07 rev 21 I also have Norton Personal Firewall 2005 which I have renewed every year from Norton renewal center, the latest being 1/07 and is current until 1/12/2008.
Most recent I have received error message when trying to update either through Live Update. Error Message LU 1814 Live Update Unable to locate the Catalog Files.
I have had this combination for several years as indicated. I have been unable to solve this even after contacting Symantec online and spending 3/4 hour with Symantec Customer Svc; a tech who told me he could not deal with the SAV CE but Escalated me to Symmantec Live Technical Support. He asked if I was having trouble with Live Update and I responded yes. He said they were not able to provide support for Norton Personal Firewall and Symanted AntiVirus 8.0. He asked if I had other Norton products on the computer and closed the chat as I responded.
#1 I have a valid updated license for Norton Firewall that I purchased retail and renewed each year online (tho trouble with the switch from 2005 to 2006 but has worked fine until now)
#2 Is there anyone who has had this problem or can help me as I feel vulnerable when virus def's are outdated?
#3 Is it likely that if using System Restore to a date before the 10/21 virus def date will restore my Live Update feature?
Please help, ceedee!

 

[harebrain]

>Is there anyone who has had this problem

Yes. Symantec's user authentication and live update, at least for personal editions, are hosed. Their proposed "remedies" put you in an endless loop. They have zero customer support.

I dumped 'em. They have too much competition to be that bad and that arrogant.

 

[CeeDee]

Thanks Hairbrain! From what I've gathered Symantec/Norton just aren't like they used to be - (like the old grey mare)
I have had such good luck with the aforementioned products, but now and with No support and what little there was came from outside the U.S. I believe. Just no help, leaving one to look elsewhere I think.
From messages elsewhere in this forum, I hesitate to tinker too much for fear of the outcomes described herein. If I can't figure out what is the fix FOR SURE, then its removal tool time and GoodBye Symantec/Norton. I have heard good things about Kaspersky 7.0 Suite, also AVG and Zone Alarm for firewall. I had a pleasing experience with F-Secure on a laptop and might consider that again. Thanks again and any further comment will be welcome
CeeDee

 

[harebrain]

Someone at Symantec apparently caught wind of the problems people are posting on this site and they're now answering some of these issues. I'll give this a bump and see if you get any advice other than look elsewhere.

 

[SimonDavis]

I gave up a long time ago trying to get any sense out of Norton/Symantec. Haven't had liveupdate work automatically for about a year.

I find that if all else fails, manually running the update always works. You can download it here/

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/download/pages/US-N95.html

Read the instructions carefully to get the right version. I use the x86 one for Win2k / Win2.3k network. I run it once on the group server, and the others pick it up from that. 5 mins work.

 

[CeeDee]

I have read about all the trouble with Symantec/Norton and in addition to mine, to which Symantec does not seem to want to help as posted above, it appears there is grave concern when using the uninstall tool.
I would appreciate any help as to which tools to use to remove my Norton Firewall and Symantec AntiVirus Corportate Edition without any additional problems as it looks like I will probably remove them.
I am really pissed that they just cut me off during a help chat when I have an active subscription. Although I have had pleasant experience for several years, it appears they forgot about REAL customer service.
ceedee