I Need Help with an unistall mystery

[keithusb]

I am a mediocre user, who knows enough to get around a computer but have no formal programming training.
I have been trying to remove Norton Security from my computer, which uses Vista Home Premium. I downloaded the Norton Uninstall Utility. When I run the utility I am told to manually remove Symantec Winfax Pro from my system before proceeding. The quandary is this: I do not have Winfax Pro on my system. I tried to install it several months ago but the version I have is not compatible with Vista Home. Symantec Winfax pro does not show up in any search I perform; and I cannot find it on my system.

Now, I went into the registry and deleted all references to Norton Security and Symantic; yet when I go back to the Vista Uninstall utility Norton Security is still listed and will not respond to a uninstall command. In addition, the Norton Uninstall utility still asserts that I have a copy of Winfax Pro that must be manually uninstalled.

1) Where is this mystical ghost of Symantic Winfaxro?
2) How is the Norton Uninstall Utility "finding" it, yet I cannot?
3) How is it that I deleted the program at the registry level yet it still shows up under the Vista Uninstall Utility.
4) How can I find and remove this ghostly Symantic Winfax Pro and the Norton Security Suite?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Keith

 

[richc46]

Start with a system restore point, in case things do not work out.

Uninstall with this
Revo Uninstaller Pro - Uninstall software, remove programs, solve uninstall problems

You have a remnant of the problem install. That happens many times with software from Norton.

 

[Trenin]

Did you try the Control Panel?

• Click Start and choose Control Panel
• Select "Programs and Features"

If your app is there, select it and then click Uninstall/Change and go from there.

 

[keithusb]

To Trenin: Yes, I tried your suggestion but the Vista Uninstall utility will not execute the uninstall command.

In general: An advanced search shows multiple Norton listings, yet they cannot be removed. Also, why is it the I manually removed Norton from the start menu yet it still appears?

 

[richc46]

To Trenin: Yes, I tried your suggestion but the Vista Uninstall utility will not execute the uninstall command.

In general: An advanced search shows multiple Norton listings, yet they cannot be removed. Also, why is it the I manually removed Norton from the start menu yet it still appears?

Because they were not totally removed, remnants remain.

 

[keithusb]

Is it possible to get rid of remnant programs? They appear to be a problem. Does anyone know where these "remnants" reside within the operating system?