Norton won't uninstall

I'm trying to install a new firewall on my laptop which requires NIS2004 to be uninstalled first. Most of Norton uninstalls, but I get an error message: "the installation is missing file instopts.dat". - (I do have so-called administrator privileges on this 'puter).
My new firewall program ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT install without Norton completely outta there!! No firewall/virus protection=no internet...I'm really in a bind - help!

 

If I'm not mistaken, you'll need to go to the Norton website and download a program that will take ALL of Norton off your machine. I don't believe that the add\remove program gets all those little nasties off your machine. Try here
http://symantec.atgnow.com/consumer...stalling+your+Norton+program&resultType=5000#
I had used Norton at one time, but I uninstalled it the hard way...I re-formatted!! Anyhow, I hope this helps!!

 

Thanks. Followed your advice and got all the remnants of Norton outta the system (without reformatting).
Now...was able to install 3 of 4 pieces of new suite... "anti spam, anti spyware and anti virus" but cannot get the firewall to install. I get the error: "Validation failed for C:\Windows\temp\VSINIT.DLL" I HATE THESE MICROSOFT MYSTERIES!! You'd think if some programmer can think of displaying an error message, they'd be able to offer a solution to it...ahhhh!!
Stuck, again...any suggestions?
This is on my son's machine running ME.

 

This would have anything to do with zonealarm would it? I ran a search for VSINIT.DLL on google and most of the site I see mention zonealarm. Anyhow, if it does I found this at Castlecops.com


couldn't verify vsinit.dll error and how to fix it.

 

First download and save (not run) a fresh installation file of Zone Alarm Security Suite. Now delete all your temp files, empty your recycle bin, and then boot into the Safe Mode (instructions if needed). Once in the safe mode, try to install ZASS again.