Thinkpads Forum

The PreDesktop area on my T60p includes a Symantec Virus Scanner. When I launch it, it asks if i would like to use an updated virus definition file.
Does anyone know where I can download an appropriate file?

From Symantec: Download Virus Definitions.

LB_BlueVue wrote:The PreDesktop area on my T60p includes a Symantec Virus Scanner. When I launch it, it asks if i would like to use an updated virus definition file.
Does anyone know where I can download an appropriate file?

Basically if you don't have it installed in windows, it's not available to you. The manual Virus definitions are programs that you must run, and they first check for a valid program installed on your computer.

Can you confirm for me that by upgrading your PreDesktop area you lost the ability to run diagnostics from the PreDesktop area?
Thanks
dah

DAH wrote:Basically if you don't have it installed in windows, it's not available to you. The manual Virus definitions are programs that you must run, and they first check for a valid program installed on your computer........snip

The case is different with Symantec's Norton AntiVirus in the predesktop area that operates independently from the service partition, regardless of Norton or it's definitions installed in Windows or not, no link there.

It appears that DAH is right... the link provided seems to only offer the "Intelligent Updater", which searches for an installed Norton/Symantec product to update. Since I do not have any of those installed on my Windows partition, it complains that I do not have any appropriate software installed. It appears that Norton won't let you get the latest goodies unless you buy their product. Not that I fault them fro trying to make a living.

DAH, I have not had any trouble accessing anything from the preDesktop area; I just hoped to be able to scan for the latest viruses from there. I just hoped there was a way without shelling out a bunch of cash.
I'm not keen on constantly running anti-virus software. In my experience it does exactly what it it supposedly protects you from; namely causing sluggish performance and reduced stability.
I run a regular scan with AVG free, but would like to be able to run a current scan from the Predesktop area, as this seems like a more robust approach to disaster recovery.

LB_BlueVue wrote:It appears that DAH is right... the link provided seems to only offer the "Intelligent Updater", which searches for an installed Norton/Symantec product to update. Since I do not have any of those installed on my Windows partition, it complains that I do not have any appropriate software installed. It appears that Norton won't let you get the latest goodies unless you buy their product. Not that I fault them fro trying to make a living......snip

Two things here can help you out, since I had it performed successfully in the past so I expect you can follow the below easily:

1. Go to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\VirusDefs, if you're lucky it will still be there otherwise sorry tough luck, follow the 2nd method. In case of the former, from the predesktop area locate that folder and run the virus scanner, it should access the definitions and run the program.

2. Go to C:\Program Files\SWTools\Apps\NortonIS, run the setup and install the program. Run the Intelligent Updater afterwards, go to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\VirusDefs copy that folder somewhere on your hdd other than the origin, even copying on a usb drive, external media like cd/dvd should work.

Uninstall Norton from the Add/Remove programs, restart your computer, shutdown, power on and go to predesktop area and follow rest of the procedure from number 1.

LB_BlueVue wrote:snip.........In my experience it does exactly what it it supposedly protects you from; namely causing sluggish performance and reduced stability..........snip

I bet you'll take your statement back once you use Eset's NOD32. 4 words, small, light, persistent and very efficient. Download 30 days trial and please do come back, I'd love to hear your stance on it.