Code 10: Norton AntiVirus Error

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Level 1

13 points

Code 10: Norton AntiVirus Error

Each time I restart my iMac 24 I begin with a red stop sign w/exclamation point bubble titled "Norton AntiVirus Error." The entire message reads: "Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect could not continue. Please run LiveUpdate or reinstall Norton AntiVirus and restart. (Code 10)"

I do not use Norton AntiVirus. Spotlight searches for "Norton" or "AntiVirus" or "Auto-Protect" under Applications or my entire Hard Drive do not locate any reference/mention to any such program. I can find nothing to delete or trash.

Anyone have ideas as to how to get rid of this constantly repeating message? Thanks.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jul 6, 2009 6:50 AM

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Answer 1

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Jul 6, 2009 6:57 AM in response to pastorron

you say you don't use Norton. have you EVER had it installed?

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Answer 2

pastorron Author

Level 1

13 points

Jul 6, 2009 7:03 AM in response to V.K.

When I transferred to this iMac a year ago my previous pre-Intel chip iMac was running Norton AntiVirus. In transferring programs some Norton apps may have initially come over, but my Norton for Mac was for the pre-Intel models and did not apply. I've never run Norton on this computer but have a vague memory of deleting/trashing some Norton files after the transfer. But I have not been able to find or locate any traces remaining other than this Code 10 message that appears whenever I restart the computer.

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Answer 3

Jul 6, 2009 7:07 AM in response to pastorron

Hello p:

Download the universal uninstaller from the Symantec website. Norton stuff hides all over a system (just like a Windows computer). Incidentally, Norton software is poison to a Mac running OS X. Additionally, since there are no documented viruses that affect a Mac running OS X, AV programs are a waste of money and resources.

Barry

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Answer 4

Jul 6, 2009 7:08 AM in response to pastorron

Hi

Check this article for the locations of files and folders that Norton creates. Delete them manually as instructed (you will need to enter your admin password at several steps). Reboot when done.

Matt

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Answer 5

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Jul 6, 2009 7:08 AM in response to pastorron

that explains it. you did have Norton on this computer. Norton is extremely insidious and is virtually impossible to remove by hand. It's worse than any virus (of which there are currently NONE in OS X) it purports to protect you. you have to remove it using Norton removal tools and even those are not guaranteed to work.
try this
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/22098

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Answer 6

pastorron Author

Level 1

13 points

Jul 6, 2009 8:30 AM in response to pastorron

Thanks all.
I did the manual deletes, but the msg. continued. I finally reinstalled the entire program so I could use the Uninstaller, checked uninstall everything, and executed. Now on startup the Code 10 message is gone for the first time in a year - hope it continues to stay away!

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