On Your Side: Catch-22 in Norton AntiVirus Upgrade

Grace Aquino

When my subscription to Norton AntiVirus's LiveUpdate feature expired, I followed instructions in a dialog box and called a toll-free number to renew. A message directed me to the company's Web site--which sent me back to the same phone number. I tried again and got the same runaround. Frustrated, I finally ordered Norton SystemWorks 2002 for $50--that's five times more expensive than just renewing LiveUpdate. This smells like a bait and switch.

J.B. Cropley, Scott Depot, West Virginia

PC World responds: After I contacted Symantec, spokesperson Phil Weiler gave Cropley a refund. Weiler couldn't pinpoint the trouble, but said Cropley's version of the program may not have contained a feature permitting renewal over the Internet. A manual--not automatic--LiveUpdate will ensure you have it.

Grace Aquino is an associate editor for PC World.