Norton Antivirus Scan and Zip Drive crash system

[BobNY]

If anyone out there has encountered this problem, I'd appreciate some pearls of wisdom. I'm running Norton Antivirus 2002 under Windows XP Home Edition. There is adequate RAM, disc space, video ram, etc. Here's the problem: Every time I try to scan the contents of the external 250 MB Zip Drive, the system crashes. I can't use end task, can't close programs, and the mouse freezes. There's no way to rescue the system unless I literally turn off the power switch. The on/off switch on the CPU doesn't even work. Norton works perfectly with everything else in the system. The Zip Drive operates perfectly in all respects except when it and everything else crashes when scanned by Norton Antivirus.

I checked with Norton and they say I've got the most up to date patch and that the problem is with the Zip drive. I contacted IOmega, the manufacturer of the ZIP drive and guess what they said....you got it, "go back to Norton". So, at this point, the only thing I can do is to transfer all files on a ZIP disc to my hard drive, scan them, and they recopy them to the ZIP. This of course is extremely counterproductive and renders the purpose of the anti-virus software useless. Any takers on this one?

Thanks in advance
Bob

 

[FatesWebb]

why would you want to scan the tape drive?
it will get scanned if you use the tape,

and when you copy them to the harddrive they will be scanned and when you copy them to the zip they will be scanned again (no need to copy scan and copy back that would be scanning them 3 times instead of 2).
and when you copy them to the drive they will get scanned before you read them which will be scanned again.
I dont know why you would want to scan it. since if there is somehow a virus on it, it didnt come from your computer since your running norton, and if you copy it to your computer it will be detected immediatly.

so you really should not worry so much since your protected either way. all this is assuming you are running the on access scanner...

FatesWebb

if you do what I suggested it is not my fault...

 

[denodave]

FatesWebb is assuming that you are running the virus scanner in real-time mode. If you are doing so, then what he says is true. If you are only using the scanner in on-demand mode then it's another issue.

My question is: is this zip drive a USB connection? I think Norton may have difficulty with the USB, but I am not sure. It's just a thought.

One suggestion is that you dump the zip drives and go with CDRW technology. It's cheaper and (mostly) less hassle for backups. Another suggestion is that you dump Norton. I finally lost my marbles with them last year when they cut off all communication channels to the public at the same time they shut down thousands of users ability to update for no reason. I STRONGLY SUGGEST ONTRACK's FIX-IT utilities and anti-virus. That product was the only one to catch a weird little virus I got last year (Norton failed). Email me! denodave@yahoo.com
Real men pray...especially techies!

 

[BobNY]

FatesWebb and Denodave,
Thanks for responding to my quesion. As is usually the case, the devil is in the details. Some clarification is necessary. I am NOT attempting to scan a tape drive. The drive is an IOmega 250 mb ZIP Drive. I use the drive to transfer information from one operating system to another on the same machine and across several machines. On one machine, I'm using a Trios switch so that the two drives on the machine are completely isolated. On another machine, there is only a CR-R drive.

When I download, I like to download directly to the ZIP since it is easier to isolate in the event of a virus. If I then try to scan any information on the downloaded files, the system crashes. The CDRW option is fine. But, that is only an option on the machine with the two isolated drives. The other machine with only a CR-R doesn't allow me that option.

The ZIP drive IS a USB power port driven drive. I think denodave is on the right track regarding trashing Norton. I've not had much luck with their products. Perhaps that's the solution.

 

[denodave]

Why are you going to so much effort to isolate every drive on these machines? I thought I was fairly virus-aware, but you are at the top of the scale. Is there some other security reason you go to all this trouble? If it's not absolutely mission-critical it seems like too much trouble. I contracted Nimda on my win2k box but acted promptly with the correct action; it only killed me for around 8 hours!

Back to your issue: I think the USB function of this zip drive is the key to your problem. I think you need to contact Norton or check their knowledgebase to see if there are any known issues. Ontrack's A/V may well have problems with USB too! Email me! denodave@yahoo.com
Real men pray...especially techies!

 

[FatesWebb]

just to reiterrate if you copy files from any place to your harddrive with a "on access" scanner or "a realtime" scanner the viruses will be caught when you copy them. if your not running a on access or realtime scanner I would copy the files THEN scan them... but really if both systems are running the antivirus (I prefer mcafee) then they should be caught. if your not running a on access or realtime scan your right you will want to scan the files. otherwise you may be adding a few steps to the process that are unneeded. I agree that norton is dropping the ball here. but if your running a realtime scan it shouldnt really matter. FatesWebb

if you do what I suggested it is not my fault...

 

[BobNY]

Denodave and FatesWebb,
I think you guys are right on target. I guess it's time to retire Norton. Thanks for the advice.

 

[s0121]

OK before u retire NOrtons. There are some systems that the BIOS is not up to snuff on IOMEGA Zip Drives. recommend u first check the BIOS and see if it is 100% IOMEGA. ready.
"Its easy to blame the other guy for your errors."=IOMEGA responce

IOMEGA or NORTONS.. my money is on the Mobo Manufacture and there BIOS.
Frank Smith
s0121@starband.net
"SomeWhere in Kansas--"Near Dodge City"

 

[BobNY]

Here is where I show my ignorance. I know how to id the ver of my bios. But, how do I find out if it's Iomega compatable? The machine was originally configured by Dell. But, the bios has been upgraded several times from Windows Me to XP. And, a Promise Technology PCI card was added to accommodate the Trios switch and multiple hard drives. It too has a bios. I would assume that the bios associated with the Promise card supercedes the bios associated with XP. But, perhaps BOTH bios' have to be verified as compatable. I'm getting the feeling that this is becoming way more complicated than it needs to be.

 

[s0121]

Depends on what/which BIOS runs the IOMEGA. But i was refering tothe mobo bios. which is the #1 bios that controls all. Being Computer repair/tech i have ran into several mobo BIOS that have not been compatible with IOMEGA equip. recommend u ask the mobo manufacture and/or read all about there bios setting, upgrades etc etc. Frank Smith
s0121@starband.net
"SomeWhere in Kansas--"Near Dodge City"

 

[BobNY]

sO121,
Just so I'm sure we're on the same page, mobo is the acronym for 'manufacturer of bios'?

 

[s0121]

yes... sort of. mobo =motherboard and the mobo manufacture usually writes the bios for the mobo.

and the bios for Asus comes from ASUS and MSI from MSI and etc etc. and many mobos that are for the really new items are not fully compatible with all devices. and depends on the OS=operating system that ur using. and if ur using XP there are many drivers that are NO SIGNED ad XP really frowns on that.

retired tech
XP beta to XP pro user Frank Smith
s0121@starband.net
"SomeWhere in Kansas--"Near Dodge City"

 

[BobNY]

Ain't it the truth. XP is very unforgiving. Thanks for the education.

 

[s0121]

PS; there is a modification to help XP allow the use of unsigned drivers also. (if ur interested). Frank Smith
s0121@starband.net
"SomeWhere in Kansas--"Near Dodge City"

 

[BobNY]

Please elaborate.

 

[s0121]

when u install anything and the DRIVER is not signed by MS u get a notice that installing that driver might cause problems.... OK....well u can make XP not see that the driver is unsigned. and allow the installation to go thru. then u can use compatibility mode to make what ever work in compatibility mode. I have been BETA testing XP since the beginning. If i count correctly i tested 26 different versions of XP.... so learned a lot of things during that time.
<b><color red><size 5>Hard to be more elaborate than that. </b></size></color> Frank Smith
s0121@starband.net
&quot;SomeWhere in Kansas--&quot;Near Dodge City&quot;

 

[denodave]

Where compatibility mode is concerned, maybe this article will help. For someone who has tested XP so extensively s0121 doesn't have any idea of how to communicate what he/she knows.

There may be a kernel of wisdom where this idea is concerned, but as for the bios being the culprit it is unlikely since your system only crashes when you try to scan. If the bios was the problem you would have likely run into difficulty recognizing the drive to begin with. I have a fair amount of experience with zips, and I have never had any problem so long as the drive was recognized.

I still hold to my original theory that this is a USB issue where Norton is concerned. Have you tried any OTHER antivirus programs to see if they work? You can probably download a trial version from someone out there just to check. But if you do, remember to uninstall the Norton before attempting any new installs, as that will undoubtedly cause further problems.

http://www.techrepublic.com/article.jhtml?id=r00320020520fai01.htm&src=search

If you can't access this article post to this site and I will copy and paste it if necessary. Email me! denodave@yahoo.com
Real men pray...especially techies!