Users face problems with Norton’s beta update 22.5.0.124 meant for Windows 10
Leading antivirus maker Norton had recently updated its NIS/NAV/N360 to version 22.5.0.124 to add compatibility for the upcoming Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system. However this beta release is ruining PCs which have Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 installed on them. When updated to this beta release, the Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 powered PC’s either went into a loopy reboot or did not start with a clean boot.
Norton users have not taken kindly this update. Norton on its part, claims that as this is a beta release, this are just teething problems. Â However the Norton Community forums are filled with threads from harangued Norton customers. Most users posted that after their PCs auto updated to the new version, it took them 2 and sometimes three hour to start the machine.
One user, Tony said that after updating to 22.5.0.124, the system shows the following message: “Server Error – We’re working to resolve an issue that prevents us from completing your request. Try again later” with an error code of either (-6) or (-1010).
While another user, Michael said that,
“When this update automatically downloaded and I re-started my machine (Window 8) it went into a massive loop when re-booting and it would not boot clean. Finally I was able (by hitting the F8 key) to get the machine to boot up. It took 2 hours for me to figure it out.  Now it tells me my machine is at risk and I need to fix it . so I hit the fix button and it does nothing. no status no update nothing… I dont know if my machine is actually protected. I also used the right-click method of a quick scan via the system tray icon and it’s still the same.”
Symantec’s official blog states that the Win 10 version of its software is currently in beta hence users may face problems with it.  In light of the complaints from its users, Norton has released following statement.
Norton releases product updates throughout the year to help detect the latest threats, roll out new features and fix bugs. Every update is carefully monitored for any problems across our global customer base.
If we spot new issues, we are quick to react and implement mitigation measures.
For example, on 11 June we saw some customers experiencing errors when running patches for Norton Security 22.2, so the patches were removed that same day and the corrected version was reposted.
Our current active patch update is designed to bring version 21.x and older clients up to 22.5 to ensure they are ready for Windows 10 when it rolls out later this month.
We have not seen any common issues with the latest version, but will be continuing to monitor the situation.
Another user, Yank has given a workaround to escape the problems associated with the new version
Please remove the copy of N360 (v22.5.124) you have installed, using the Control Panel uninstall via Add/Remove or Programs & Features. Download and run the Norton Removal Tool once and reboot after it is completed. The NRT can be found here: https://www-secure.symantec.com/norton-support/jsp/help-solutions.jsp?do…
Download a fresh copy of N360 from here:
https://buy-download.norton.com/downloads/2014/21.6/N360/US/N360-ESD-21.6.0.32-EN.exeOnce installation is complete, Important—Immediately disable Automatic Download of New Version. After doing this, then you can open N360 and manually Run LiveUpdate as many times as necessary for it to respond “no more updates found”. If a reboot is requested, reboot and then continue to Run LiveUpdate until it responds with the specific words of “no more updates found” and then reboot one last time. Now, please go over the other settings to see if any have changed. I suggest this as some of the setting in this version were removed in v22.5.124
