Vista + Norton IS 2008 = No EQ2

[Ranot]

I was fighting for hours to get EQ2 to work with Vista, trying every possible answer shown in the forums, but no matter what I tried the moment I clicked Play, or double clicked everquest2.exe it would crash.The culprit was norton 2008, as soon as I uninstalled it EQ2 worked perfectly.Any suggestions of how to get the two to play nicely together? I really hate the idea of not having anti-virus on my system all because one game didn't like it.

[willnotuse]

Contact the maker of the product which happens to be Symantec.

[Ranot]

I don't think it's Symantec's problem, there product works fine, and everything else works with it. At the same time i don't think it's sony's problem either since the game works perfectly without it... to contact customer support would end up in the glorious "it's not our fault it's there fault" round circle.

[willnotuse]

If Norton "worked fine" then it would have allowed EQ2 to function properly.  However, it's not.  This is not an issue with SoE or EQ2.  It's an issue with Norton.  This has come up again and again every year with every new version of Norton.

[Ama]

Well I have windows XP, but my anti-virus scanner doesn't like the plugin EQ2 comes with.  It always scans the EQ2 folder then holds the plugin for randsom so I just have to DL it again.  Norton is nothing but trouble for me and the version on my laptop swears there's still a virus on it yet the microsoft guy says it's clean.  My Desktop has Trend Micro anti-virus which works pretty well. 

[asmiro]

not only what the above poster said, but also, over time, norton (any norton product in fact) will bog your system down, eventually, severely. i find i have NO issues using windows firewall, addaware, spybot and AVG antivirus. i run regular scans using all 3 of those tools, and have had NO major issues to date. that said, i also do not surf [Removed for Content] sites and/or go to questionable sites or open email from questionable sites. i can play EQ2 just fine this way.

[Wingrider01]

<p>95 to 98 ercent of all firewalls, Anti-Virus programs will work fine with eq2, as long as you configure them correctly.  Configuration is the key, if you are not familiar with how to do it, then contact teh vendor that supports the firewall/AV. </p><p>In the case of software firewalls that utilize checksum filtering, any time the primary exe files change, the firewall will block it, so the application has to be authorized again at the firewall level. In the case of real time virus scanning, enteg the eq2 directories in the ignore list for the AV will improve response and latency.</p><p>firewalls and av applications are considered CPE (customer provided equipment) and is up  to the end user to get it configured correctly, most vendors will refuse to assist beyond supplying the information needed due to liability issues. SoE has it is the knowledge base and has for awhile.</p><p>I am not a big supported of Norton, personnally run avast and trend micro products and have for years. The do work with eq, eq2, vaqnguard, swg, matrix online once they are configured correctly.</p>

[Ranot]

*chuckles at the replies* no it's not firewall related, I have a racked cisco for my house firewall, software firewalls are pitiful and can be gotten around by anyone with a slight knowledge of internet security.. I only use norton for the antivirus portion, and that is only because the alternatives just don't do the job... AVG failed miserably on the virus show downs, catching less then 40% of viruses... norton did about 80% so not perfect, but respectable.. the only one who got higher was nod32(99% it lost a point for a false positive)... unfortunately nod32 dislikes 64 bit, so it's norton or nothing. Which means until the problem is solved it's nothing.

[retro_guy]

Norton is the Devil

[willnotuse]

<cite>Ranot wrote:</cite><blockquote>*chuckles at the replies* no it's not firewall related, I have a racked cisco for my house firewall, software firewalls are pitiful and can be gotten around by anyone with a slight knowledge of internet security.. I only use norton for the antivirus portion, and that is only because the alternatives just don't do the job... AVG failed miserably on the virus show downs, catching less then 40% of viruses... norton did about 80% so not perfect, but respectable.. the only one who got higher was nod32(99% it lost a point for a false positive)... unfortunately nod32 dislikes 64 bit, so it's norton or nothing. Which means until the problem is solved it's nothing.</blockquote>I suggest you visit <a href="http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse_2007_08.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this site</a> for independent anti-virus testing.  There were several that did as well or better than Norton.  Not to mention one of them was free.

[Vonotar]

I'd recommend Avast or AVG, both of which are free to home users.Norton causes no end of problems for all sorts of games and software, it's the undisputed daddy of anti-virus bloatware, get rid.

[Ranot]

Avast & AVG ... you recommend the two worst anti-virus programs, neither holds up when under fire... if you want a free one go for clamAV..As for bloatware, with 8GB of memory i'm really not to concerned about how much norton takes up. I'm just looking for solutions on how to let eq2 and norton play nicely, not alternatives.

[Wingrider01]

<cite>Ranot wrote:</cite><blockquote>*chuckles at the replies* no it's not firewall related, I have a racked cisco for my house firewall, software firewalls are pitiful and can be gotten around by anyone with a slight knowledge of internet security.. I only use norton for the antivirus portion, and that is only because the alternatives just don't do the job... AVG failed miserably on the virus show downs, catching less then 40% of viruses... norton did about 80% so not perfect, but respectable.. the only one who got higher was nod32(99% it lost a point for a false positive)... unfortunately nod32 dislikes 64 bit, so it's norton or nothing. Which means until the problem is solved it's nothing.</blockquote><p>curious I run a Cisco 2821 on my internet dmark and have 0 issues with it, although I would not let a Norton product anywhere near any of my systems, that is personal preference though, have issues with the way Symantec does things. Find that linked website a little lacking in comprehensive reports, not enough normally tested AV's to base judgement on.</p><p>"As for bloatware, with 8GB of memory i'm really not to concerned about how much norton takes up. "</p><p>That is interesting,  can you post your system specs? Curious how you have it configured to address the full 8 GB, especially the motherboard you are using. As far as getting it to work, it is just basicly configuring the system correctly, since it runs without Symantec on the system, the fault has to be inherent to the install of thast product. I have been running Vista for over 2 years in beta and production release and have been playing eq2 on it for a year and half.</p>

[willnotuse]

<cite>Ranot wrote:</cite><blockquote>Avast & AVG ... you recommend the two worst anti-virus programs, neither holds up when under fire... if you want a free one go for clamAV..As for bloatware, with 8GB of memory i'm really not to concerned about how much norton takes up. I'm just looking for solutions on how to let eq2 and norton play nicely, not alternatives.</blockquote>Sadly Norton has never "played nice" with this game.  It is also documented on tech sites as having problems with other games.  If you want to stay with Symantec programs I suggest you move up to the business or corporate versions as they have no problems with this game.  If you work for a large corporation like IBM, GEICO, Intuit and so forth you can get it at a large discount.  Usually less than what you would pay for the buggy home version.

[Tebos]

<cite>willnotuse wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Ranot wrote:</cite><blockquote>Avast & AVG ... you recommend the two worst anti-virus programs, neither holds up when under fire... if you want a free one go for clamAV..As for bloatware, with 8GB of memory i'm really not to concerned about how much norton takes up. I'm just looking for solutions on how to let eq2 and norton play nicely, not alternatives.</blockquote>Sadly Norton has never "played nice" with this game.  It is also documented on tech sites as having problems with other games.  If you want to stay with Symantec programs I suggest you move up to the business or corporate versions as they have no problems with this game.  If you work for a large corporation like IBM, GEICO, Intuit and so forth you can get it at a large discount.  Usually less than what you would pay for the buggy home version.</blockquote><p>But then...having to perform an upgrade of SAV usually required NOVAV in order to have a working AV console <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[tweety1972]

<cite>Ranot wrote:</cite><blockquote>I was fighting for hours to get EQ2 to work with Vista, trying every possible answer shown in the forums, but no matter what I tried the moment I <b>clicked Play, or double clicked everquest2.exe it would crash.</b>The culprit was norton 2008, as soon as I uninstalled it EQ2 worked perfectly.Any suggestions of how to get the two to play nicely together? I really hate the idea of not having anti-virus on my system all because one game didn't like it.</blockquote><p>this was a problem with my virus scanner as well and I had to go in and select the everquest folder and allow all programs to access the internet (since the patcher and actual game look like a hijacker program to the AV)</p><p>I personally hate norton but that's your choice, try allowing the exe programs unrestricted access thru your AV and see if that helps.</p>

[Ranot]

<cite>Wingrider01 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite></cite>"As for bloatware, with 8GB of memory i'm really not to concerned about how much norton takes up. "<p>That is interesting,  can you post your system specs? Curious how you have it configured to address the full 8 GB, especially the motherboard you are using. As far as getting it to work, it is just basicly configuring the system correctly, since it runs without Symantec on the system, the fault has to be inherent to the install of thast product. I have been running Vista for over 2 years in beta and production release and have been playing eq2 on it for a year and half.</p><p>My system spec's:</p><p>   EVGA 680I SLI, 4x2GB Apacer Value Ram (ddr2-800), Vista Ultima 64 bit (pain in the rear, vista bug forces you to only have 2GB installed, then install a patch, then you can use the other memory), 8800GTS 320M, 2.4Ghz Quad, XFI value OEM</p><p>Over all it's been working like a dream... some programs hate the 64 bit OS, but alternatives are always available.</p></blockquote>

[Wingrider01]

<cite>Ranot wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Wingrider01 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite></cite>"As for bloatware, with 8GB of memory i'm really not to concerned about how much norton takes up. " <p>That is interesting,  can you post your system specs? Curious how you have it configured to address the full 8 GB, especially the motherboard you are using. As far as getting it to work, it is just basicly configuring the system correctly, since it runs without Symantec on the system, the fault has to be inherent to the install of thast product. I have been running Vista for over 2 years in beta and production release and have been playing eq2 on it for a year and half.</p><p>My system spec's:</p><p>   EVGA 680I SLI, 4x2GB Apacer Value Ram (ddr2-800), Vista Ultima 64 bit (pain in the rear, vista bug forces you to only have 2GB installed, then install a patch, then you can use the other memory), 8800GTS 320M, 2.4Ghz Quad, XFI value OEM</p><p>Over all it's been working like a dream... some programs hate the 64 bit OS, but alternatives are always available.</p></blockquote></blockquote>Nice system, might want to double check that symantec does not have any issues with 8gb memory though, it might be causing part of the issue. Seem to remember a uunet discussion on various swaktop level av's and memory  > 2 gb

[asmiro]

<p>maybe im not as paranoid as some users, but the again i dont surf stupid either (not saying anyone here does, but there is cautiously prudent, and then there is paranoid in terms of internet security).</p><p>AVG free has worked for YEARS for the company i work for which does onsite sales and service of computers locally. i cannot tell you how many times simply uninstalling all symantec/norton home products on the computer not only sped up the system, but reduced the overall system conflicts with other software, such as games, like you describe here. now, we do NOT install or recommend AVG free for our corporate or bussiness users, but we ALL, here, do not like or recommend symantec or norton products intended for home use. the corporate versions usually work without issues, but the home versions just plain suck.</p><p>as for avg being "less than" norton in whatever terms you want to call them, simply being diligent in your internet  and email usage makes a HUGE difference in terms of your computer security. common sense things like dont open email that you have no clue who it is from, or dont surf questionable web sites, not just [Removed for Content] sites, makes a big difference. couple that with "basic" spyware and antivirus scanners, and you will be 90+% secure on your computer provided you regularly update and use them, and update windows itself.</p><p>again, we, the company i work for, has had NO issues using avg along with addaware and spybot regularly on our own home systems. those of us without kids that is. the ones with kids know they cant control EVERY site thier kids see, even if they use one of those "nanny" programs. and email is another story entirely.</p><p>so, to summarize, AVG DOES work, reguardless of the so-called "real-world" tests that people use, when you also use common sense with your internet usage. being paranoid simply is too much work, and can obviously slow your system down just as much as the spyware/virii can.</p>