Windows XP SP2 and Norton Anti-Virus: Not compatible

If you are an XP user and are planning to upgrade to SP2, DO NOT. XP SP2 apparently does not work with over 200 programs/applications. Here is my personal experience:

• I installed XP SP2 on a PC that ran XP pro.


• The PC took ages to boot and after it did, it was too damn slow.


• I received some stupid error messages that went something like 'Instruction at location 000000x7 failed' or 'mm_tray.exe failed to initialize'.


• I tried to remove the SP2 patch through add/remove programs but the program refused to come up.


• My Norton Anti-virus popped an error saying some other program is trying to ram its trip.


• So, I uninstalled Norton from 'programs>Norton>uninstall' (add/remove programs did not come up)


• Everything is fine now, but hey I don't have the guts to connect to the net without my anti-virus program.

This is madness man. SP2 of XP is supposed to make my web experience secure, not eliminate it totally. I understand that MS had to take the call. Most of the security breaches-as I understand-are caused by legacy applications that allow malware to exploit a PC. And MS had to support these legacy applications. My first reaction to SP2 not being compatible with over 200 apps was 'WTF is wrong with MS? I thought they had a usability lab!'
Anyways, if you hear about this SP2 or get it on a free CD from PC Quest. Don't jump the gun. Wait and watch before you install it.

Note: I am not a technical chap. I use a PC though. And SP2 ruined my trip yesterday. So, if you find any inaccuracies, do let me know. I'd like some advice on how to get Norton working with XP pro SP2.

Related links

200 apps clash with XP SP2

Programs that are known to experience a loss of functionality when they run on a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer

Windows XP SP2 is big step forward in security--but it can break things

Write to me: suman 'at' sumankumar 'dot' com

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