Introduction to SYMClean


Situation:
You want to know more about the Symantec Application Cleanup Utility (SYMClean).

Solution:
Symantec provides the SYMClean utility, SymClean.exe, to remove portions of Norton SystemWorks 2002/2001 that are not removed by the Windows Add or Remove Programs utility.


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.



When to use SYMClean
Use SYMClean when all of the following criteria are met:
Note that SYMClean is not designed to uninstall Norton SystemWorks, or to remove all leftover Norton SystemWorks files and registry entries. For more information on what SYMClean removes, read the following sections "Which files and registry entries are removed" and "Products that SYMClean removes."

For more information regarding when to use SYMClean, read the section "Example of when to use SYMClean." That section provides a sequence of steps to follow for uninstalling and reinstalling Norton SystemWorks in a manner that addresses the type of problem that you see.

In some cases, if SYMClean does not resolve the problem, then using both SYMClean and the Norton AntiVirus removal program may work. To obtain that program, read the document How to uninstall Norton AntiVirus using the Rnav2003.exe removal utility. Run the Rnav2003.exe several times to ensure that you remove all versions of Norton AntiVirus that might be on the computer. Note that Norton AntiVirus 2003 cannot be uninstalled manually. How to obtain the latest version of SYMClean

To obtain the SYMClean utility
Which files and registry entries are removed
The SYMClean utility does not remove all Norton SystemWorks files and registry entries. Which entries are removed depends on the Norton SystemWorks version: Products that SYMClean removes
SYMClean removes leftover files and registry keys for the following products: Examples of when to use SYMClean
SYMClean is not designed to remove Norton SystemWorks 2003 and is not designed to remove all traces of your Norton SystemWorks installation.

Because SYMClean is designed only to remove specific components, files, and registry entries, it is appropriate to use SYMClean only in the circumstances that are listed in the previous section "When to use SYMClean."

Here is a typical situation in which it is appropriate to use SYMClean.

How you see the problem
You encountered a problem and attempted to resolve it as follows:
  1. The Norton SystemWorks installation failed or you saw a problem that appears to be due to a corrupt Norton SystemWorks installation or file.
  2. You used the Windows Add/Remove Programs utility to remove Norton SystemWorks.
  3. You installed Norton SystemWorks and saw the same problem.

To resolve the problem
  1. Remove Norton SystemWorks as follows:
  2. If the problem persists, and it still appears to be related to a failed installation, a corrupt installation, or a corrupted Norton SystemWorks file, repeat the uninstallation and also perform a manual uninstallation, as follows:
    1. Uninstall Norton AntiVirus and Norton SystemWorks from Windows Add/Remove Programs. Restart the computer after each uninstallation. If one of these programs is not listed in Add/Remove Programs, skip it and continue with the other program.
    2. If you previously installed Norton AntiVirus (this program is included as part of the Norton SystemWorks suite), run the Rnav2003.exe removal utility to ensure that all components of previous versions of Norton AntiVirus have been uninstalled. Read the document How to uninstall Norton AntiVirus using the Rnav2003.exe removal utility. Run the Rnav2003.exe several times to ensure that you remove all versions of Norton AntiVirus that might be on the computer. Note that Norton AntiVirus 2003 cannot be uninstalled manually.
    3. Run the SYMClean removal utility. Read the document Using the Norton SystemWorks cleanup utility (SYMClean). Though this step is not required, running the SYMClean utility at this time may remove entries that you would otherwise remove manually in step 2.d.
    4. Perform a manual uninstallation. For information on manual uninstallations, read the document Removing Norton SystemWorks after Add/Remove Programs does not work.
    5. Perform a clean boot. For more information on clean boots, read the document that is appropriate to your operating system:
      How to perform a clean boot of Windows XP
      How to perform a clean boot of Windows 2000
      How to perform a clean boot of Windows Me
      How to perform a clean boot of Windows 98
    6. Install Norton SystemWorks.


Technical Information:
Reinstalling Norton SystemWorks 2003 or Norton SystemWorks 2004
Because installing Norton SystemWorks over the same or previous versions can cause conflicts between Norton SystemWorks files, Norton SystemWorks 2003 and Norton SystemWorks 2004 require that you remove all versions of Norton SystemWorks and its components before installing Norton SystemWorks.

When you install Norton SystemWorks, the installation looks for specific files and registry entries to determine whether Norton SystemWorks is still on the computer. If those entries are present, the Norton SystemWorks installation does not proceed unless you first choose to uninstall Norton SystemWorks.

In some situations, after you uninstall Norton SystemWorks and its components through the Windows Add/Remove Programs utility, those specific files and registry entries remain. In this situation, even though you uninstalled Norton SystemWorks, the Norton SystemWorks installation reports that Norton SystemWorks or one of its components is still on the computer.

For Norton SystemWorks 2003, SYMClean resolves this problem by removing the specific files and registry entries that Norton SystemWorks 2003 looks for, enabling the Norton SystemWorks 2003 installation to continue. Enabling the installation to proceed by removing just these entries is sometimes referred to as forcing the installation.




Document ID: 2003033111445907
Last Modified: 20.10.2008
Date Created: 31.03.2003
Operating System(s): Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0
Product(s): Norton SystemWorks 2003, Norton SystemWorks 2004
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