I recently upgraded my computers to Norton 360 version 4.0 anti-virus software. Immediately after upgrading Symantec (www.symantec.com) made available an online downloadable free version 5.0 upgrade of the software. I promptly upgraded with the free download.
My problem comes from the online backup routine which is free with Norton 360. Several years ago I installed Norton 360 that has an online backup feature. When I configured the backup, I hit the video button for backing up video. I have 20 computers in my office so each one was upgraded with Norton 360.
Most accountants use multiple monitors on one computer and find the access to online scanned documents easier with multiple monitors. Many years ago we discovered multiple monitors before they were generally available on affordable video cards. Christine and I achieved the multiple monitor by having kvm (keyboard-video-mouse) switches and using multiple computers with one monitor each as well as the option to switch monitors when switching computers.
I use Iogear (www.iogear.com) kvm switches which now incorporate speakers and microphone. Even though speakers and microphone are now part of the switch the name has not changed to "kvmsm switches" for some odd reason. Well I better get back to my question.
Since I selected video to be backed up on one of my computers, my 2GB of online space was used up on my first backup. Norton 360 online backup does not have a facility for deleting a full or partial backup when only one backup for that computer is on the backup server. (Should I add the word cloud here to be more techno geeky?)
For years now, buying extra storage space, adding more purchased modules with 2 GB each has expanded my online space to over 92 GB. I still cannot use the online backup because it comes back that the online space is used up. The only option for correcting this is buying more storage.
Unfortunately, there is no advice on how much storage to buy to correct the problem when you go to the purchase more space screen on the Symantec site. Every time I have purchased more space it has not solved the problem.
You see when you buy a three in one pack of Norton 360--hopefully on sale at a local store--you get another 2 GB of space to expand your online storage. So after years of purchases I have accumulated 92 GB of space. I still cannot use the online backup.
Since I am a writer of computer technical articles and considered to be professional press due to the thousands of articles that I have written over the years for magazines like National Public Accountant, Business Week, Computerworld, and many others, Symantec has assigned a high level service person to help with the problem. I must admit that even this person has been stymied by trying to fix the problem.
Most people who have advised me on this problem suggest that I use McAfee or some other virus protection product. I have already heard this suggestion a few times and it really does not solve my problem. I need some answer that will solve this without spending hundreds of dollars to replace the software.
In the past I have learned to live with the problem. I am hoping someone who uses this forum has some ideas. Does anyone know of a solution other than buying something other than Norton 360?