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Error: "Unable to initialize virus scanning engine" or "Unable to initialize virus database scanning files" after installing Norton AntiVirus or running Windows System Restore
Situation:
After installing Norton AntiVirus (NAV) and then restarting the computer, you see one of the following error messages:
"Unable to initialize virus scanning engine database files"
"Unable to initialize virus database scanning files"
"Norton Auto-Protect unable to initialize the virus scanning engine database files"
These error messages can also occur after running LiveUpdate or when running Windows Me System Restore and then restarting the computer.
Solution:
If Windows will not start after you see the error message, then do the following:
1. Start Windows in Safe mode by following the steps that apply to your operating system in the document How to start the computer in Safe mode.
2. Disable Auto-Protect by following the instructions in the To disable Auto-Protect section of the document How to enable and disable Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect.
3. Restart the computer.
When you complete these steps, or if Windows starts successfully after the error message, then try these solutions.
Examine the system date. If it is not correct, then reset it, restart the computer, and then determine whether the date is still accurate. If it is, then uninstall NAV 2002, restart the computer, and then examine the date again. Correct the date by following the steps in the To correct the system date section if necessary. If the date is incorrect after uninstalling NAV and then restarting the computer, then there is likely a problem with the CMOS battery.
If all is well after uninstalling NAV, then delete the NAV program folder, and then reinstall NAV. Restart the computer, and then examine the date. If it is not correct, then reset it again, and then restart the computer.
To correct the system date:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click or point to Control Panel.
2. Click or double-click the Date/Time icon.
3. Select the appropriate year, month, and day.
4. Click Apply, and then click OK. If you find later that the date does not update correctly or reverts to an older or newer date, then you may need to correct the date in the computer's BIOS or replace the BIOS battery. For instructions on how to do this, see the computer's documentation.
If the system date has not changed, then do the following:
Uninstall all of the Symantec products that use virus definitions.
Delete the program and virus definition folders.
Edit the registry and remove the SharedDefs key.
Reinstall the Symantec programs.
Follow these steps:
1. Uninstall all of the Symantec programs that use virus definitions.
Use the Add/Remove Programs applet in Control Panel to uninstall all of the Symantec programs that use the \VirusDefs folder. These include the following:
Norton Internet Security
Norton SystemWorks
Norton AntiVirus
Symantec AntiVirus for Palm OS
pcAnywhere
2. Delete the \VirusDefs folder and the program folder for the Symantec program that was uninstalled.
1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. Delete the following folders depending on which Symantec products are installed:
C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus
C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security
C:\Program Files\Norton Personal Firewall
C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus for Palm OS
C:\Program Files\Symantec\PCAnywhere
The \VirusDefs folder may be removed during the uninstallation. However, not all versions of the uninstaller do this. If the \VirusDefs folder still exists after uninstalling all of the Symantec programs that use it and restarting the computer, then you must delete the folder manually. The default location is:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\VirusDefs
To search for and remove the virusdefs folder:
Windows 95/98/NT/2000
1. Click Start, point to Find or Search, and then click Files or Folders.
2. Verify that "Look in" is set to (C:) and that "Include subfolders" is checked.
3. In the "Named" or "Search for" box, type virusdefs and then press Enter.
4. The results pane will display the \VirusDefs folder if it exists. It will look similar to the following:
5. Right-click the \VirusDefs folder, and then click Delete. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
Windows XP
1. Click Start, and then click Search.
2. Click All files and folders.
3. In the "All or part of the file name" box, type:
virusdefs
4. Verify that "Look in" is set to "Local Hard Drives" or to (C:).
5. Click "More advanced options."
6. Check "Search system files and folders."
7. Check "Search subfolders."
8. Click Search.
9. The results pane will display the \VirusDefs folder if it exists. It will look similar to the following:
10. Right-click the \VirusDefs folder, and then click Delete. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
3. Remove the ShareDefs key from the Registry.
1. Click Start, and then click Run. The Run dialog box appears.
2. Type regedit and then click OK. The Registry Editor opens.
CAUTION: We strongly recommend that you back up the system registry before making any changes. Incorrect changes to the registry could result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify only the keys that are specified. See the document How to back up the Windows registry before you proceed.
3. Navigate to and highlight the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Symantec\SharedDefs
4. Press Delete, and then click Yes to confirm the deletion.
5. Click the Registry menu, and then click Exit.
6. Restart the computer.
4. Reinstall the Symantec programs and Run LiveUpdate
1. Restart the computer.
2. Reinstall the programs that you previously uninstalled. Restart the computer after each installation if you are prompted to do so.
3. Run LiveUpdate, and accept all virus definition and program updates. Restart the computer if you are prompted to do so.
4. Keep running LiveUpdate until there are no more updates available.
NOTE: Because virus definitions are updated frequently, it is important to update them as soon as you install the Symantec programs. If you cannot run LiveUpdate, then the definitions are also available as a download directly from the Symantec Security Response Web site at securityresponse.symantec.com. For instructions, read the document How to update virus definition files using the Virus Definition Update Installer.
Product(s): Norton AntiVirus 2000, Norton AntiVirus 2001, Norton AntiVirus 2001 Professional Edition, Norton AntiVirus 2002, Norton AntiVirus 2002 Professional Edition
Operating System(s): Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows 95B, Windows XP
Document ID: 2000092114162106
Date Created: 09/21/2000
Last Modified: 01/11/2002 |
