Copyright: © 1994-2001 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved.
Citation: © 1994-2001 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved.


Introducing Norton System Check

Norton System Check provides an alternative to Norton System Doctor. While Norton System Doctor provides continuous monitoring of the health of your system, Norton System Check provides an immediate or scheduled system checkup. Norton System Check finds disk problems and Windows problems, it can improve performance, and it can give your computer a preventative maintenance checkup.

Norton System Check starts with a wizard interface to let you choose the kinds of diagnostic tests you want to perform. After running the tests, Norton System Check displays an easy-to-read report of the problems it has found. Problems are listed by problem type in the order of severity. You can choose to display the list sorted by name or status (whether they are fixed).

Norton System Check lets you tailor the repair process to your own needs. You can specify which problems to fix and how to fix them. Or, you can let Norton System Check fix all found problems automatically.

If you decide you don’t like a repair Norton System Check has made, undo it. To undo repairs you made in previous sessions, use Norton System Check’s Repair History feature. You can undo many of the repairs that Norton System Check makes, but some, such as defragmenting your hard drive, can’t be undone.

Norton System Check keeps your system running at peak efficiency. This not only makes using your computer faster and easier, but also safer. By fixing errors that might otherwise lead to data loss, Norton System Check protects your work.

To scan your computer for problems, click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

Click here [image] for more information.


To view System Check test results

1	Click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

2	Follow the on-screen instructions to run System Check tests for problems.

3	Click Finish.
Norton System Check displays a list of the problems found, organized by problem type, in order of severity.

To see the individual problems for each problem type, select one type and click the Details button.

Click here [image] for more information.


To limit the scan to specific problems types
To limit the scan to specific problem types

1	Click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

2	Check the boxes to select the scans you want to run.

3	Click Next.

Click here [image] for more information.


To open Norton System Check

You can open any of the Norton Utilities programs from Norton Utilities Integrator.

To open Norton System Check:

1	Double-click Norton Utilities Integrator on the Windows desktop.

2	Click Find and Fix Problems in the left pane of the Integrator.

3	Click Norton System Check in the right pane.

Or, click here [image] to open Norton System Check now.

Click here [image] for more information.


To repair all problems automatically

1	Click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

2	Follow the on-screen instructions to check for problems.

3	Click Finish.
Norton System Check displays a list of problems found, organized by problem type, in order of severity.

4	Select one problem type and click Repair All.

5	Click Yes to confirm that you want all problems of this type repaired using Norton System Check’s recommended method.

Norton System Check repairs all the problems included in the displayed problem type, and a green check displays in the Status column.

 The Problems Found pane lists high-level problem types, which can include one or more individual problems. To see a complete list of the problems included in a problem type, click Details.

Click here [image] for more information.


To repair problems one at a time

1	Click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

2	Follow the on-screen instructions to check for problems.

3	Click Finish.
Norton System Check displays a list of problems found, organized by problem type, in order of severity.

4	Click a problem type to select it.

5	Click Details to display a complete list of the problems associated with the selected problem type.

6	Select one problem you want to repair in the Details pane and click Repair to open the Select Solution Method dialog box.
The problem you selected displays, along with the potential solutions.

7	Select a solution and click OK.
The first solution in the list is always the one Norton System Check recommends.

8	Select another problem and repeat.

Click here [image] for more information.


To repair a group of problems

1	Click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

2	Follow the on-screen instructions to check for problems.

3	Click Finish.
Norton System Check displays a list of problems found, organized by problem type, in order of severity.

4	Click a problem type to select it.

5	Click Details to display a complete list of the problems associated with the selected problem type.

6	Select a group of problems you want to repair in the Details pane and click Repair to open the Automated Repair dialog box.

7	Do one of the following:

Select Let System Check Pick The Best Solution, click OK, and go to step 9.

Select Allow Me To Choose The Solution and click OK.
The problem you selected displays along with the potential solution methods.

8	Select a solution and click OK.
The first solution in the list is always the one Norton System Check recommends. When it is fixed, the next problem you selected displays until they are all fixed.

9	Select another problem type and repeat.

 If you decide not to fix a problem, click Cancel when it displays and then click Yes to display the next problem.

Click here [image] for more information.


To scan your computer for problems

1	Click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

2	Follow the wizard instructions to check for problems.

Click here [image] for more information.


To select alternate repair methods

1	Click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

2	Follow the on-screen instructions to check for problems.

3	Click Finish.
Norton System Check displays a list of problems found, organized by problem type, in order of severity.

4	Click a problem type to select it.

5	Click Repair in the toolbar.

6	Select Allow Me To Choose The Solution For Each Problem and click OK.
The problems associated with the problem type display one at a time.

7	Select an alternate solution for the displayed problem.
The first solution in the list is always the recommended solution.

8	Click Repair.

9	Repeat to repair the next problem that displays.

 The Problems Found pane lists high-level problem types, which can include one or more individual problems. To see a complete list of problems, click Details.

Click here [image] for more information.


To sort the list of found system problems

Norton System Check sorts problems by problem type. You can choose to sort them by severity or by the scanners that were used to identify them.

1	Click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

2	Follow the on-screen instructions to check for problems.

3	Click Finish.
Norton System Check displays a list of problems found, organized by problem type, in order of severity.

4	Click Advanced.

5	Click the Sort By drop-down list to select the sort criterion.
The list in the left pane changes to reflect what you selected.

6	Click an item in the left pane to display associated problems in the right pane.

To sort the list of problem types in the Problems Found pane, click the column heading.

Click here [image] for more information.


To undo repairs made by Norton System Check

1	Click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

2	Select Undo Previous Repairs.

3	Click Finish.

4	Click a previously completed repair to select it.

5	Click the Undo button on the toolbar.

 To specify how long repairs are saved, as well as other Undo options, right-click on the dialog and choose Options.

Click here [image] for more information.


To set Repair History options

1	Click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

2	Select Undo Previous Repairs.

3	Click Finish.

4	Open the View menu and select Options.

5	Set Undo options.

Click here [image] for more information.


To ignore a reported problem

1	Click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

2	Follow the on-screen instructions to check for problems.

3	Click Finish.
Norton System Check displays a list of problems found, organized by problem type, in order of severity.

4	Click Details.

5	Click the problems you want to ignore in the Details pane.

6	Open the Problems menu and select Ignore Selected Problem.
The problems you selected are marked as ignored.

7	To hide the ignored problems, open the View menu and deselect Show Ignored Problems.

To make a single ignored problem active again, open the View menu and select Show Ignored Problems to display it, then open the Problem menu and uncheck Ignore Selected Problem.

Click here [image] for more information.


To clear the ignored problem list

1	Click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

2	Follow the on-screen instructions to check for problems.

3	Click Finish.
Norton System Check displays a list of problems found, organized by problem type, in order of severity.

4	Open the View menu and select Options.

5	Select the General tab and click Clear Ignore List.

6	Click OK.
All of the problems you have previously selected to ignore display in the Details pane.

To make a single ignored problem active again, open the View menu and select Show Ignored Problems to display it, then open the Problem menu and uncheck Ignore Selected Problem.

Click here [image] for more information.


To clear the Repair History

1	Click here [image] to open Norton System Check.

2	Select Undo Previous Repairs.

3	Click Finish.

4	Open the Problem menu and select Clear Repair History.
If the item is gray, there are no repaired problems in the list.

Click here [image] for more information.


About problem types

Norton System Check detects and corrects a wide variety of problems. You don't need to know anything about the problems that are being repaired. Norton System Check automatically repairs the problems using the best possible solution.

However, if you want to become more involved in the repair process, Norton System Check also lets you pick and choose what problems to correct and how to repair them. Problems you may encounter while scanning your computer with Norton System Check include:

Disk problems
There is a problem with the integrity of the file system on your hard disk.

Missing program files
One or more of the files necessary to run one of your programs is missing.

ActiveX/COM related problems
A registry entry that points to a component required for one or more of your programs is invalid.

Invalid shortcuts
One or more of the shortcuts to programs or web pages are invalid.

Registry related problems
For example, orphaned shortcuts where one or more entries in the registry refer to files that do not exist.

Performance problems
Your hard drive is fragmented. Reducing the fragmentation may improve performance.

Preventative maintenance issues
Your Rescue Disk set is out of date, or you are running out of room on your hard disk.

Click here [image] for more information.


About undoing Norton System Check repairs

By default, Norton System Check always asks you to confirm before it makes a repair. Even with this extra safeguard, you may sometimes want to undo a repair. With Norton System Check, not only can you undo a repair you just made, but you can also undo a repair you made yesterday or even last week.

The Repair History tracks the changes that Norton System Check makes to your system. To undo any tracked repair, open the Repair History screen, click to select a repair, and then click the Undo button on the toolbar.

To configure how long or how many Repair History items are retained, open the View menu and choose Options.

You can undo many of the repairs that Norton System Check makes, but some, such as defragmenting your hard drive, can’t be undone.

Click here [image] for more information.


Types of Norton System Check repairs

Norton System Check checks your computer for many kinds of problems, including problems that pertain to:

Disk problems

Windows problems

Performance problems

Preventative maintenance issues

If you suspect a certain type of problem, you can choose to limit Norton System Check to one or more specific problem types with the Norton System Check wizard. Most of the time however, you'll want to do a full scan to keep your computer running at its best.

Click here [image] for more information.


About alternate repair methods

When Norton System Check detects a problem, it suggests a recommended repair method. This is generally the best and most complete solution to the problem. If you wish, you can also select from a list of alternate repair methods. These alternate methods also correct the problem, but in a different way. Most of the time, you'll want to select the recommended solution.

 The Problems Found pane lists high-level problem types, which can include one or more individual problems. To see a complete list of problems, click Details.

Click here [image] for more information.


Automated Repair dialog box

This dialog box displays when you click Repair after selecting a problem type in the top section of the Problems Found pane. On this dialog box, you select how System Check should repair the selected sub-problems included in that problem type.

This dialog box contains the following:

Let System Check Pick The Best Solution...
Click to allow System Check to automatically repair each sub-problem in the selected problem type by determining the best solution and applying it.

Allow Me To Choose The Solution...
Click if you want to choose from a list of available solutions for each sub-problem. This option opens the Automated Repair dialog box.

Click here [image] for more information.


Select Repair Solutions dialog box

The Automated Repair dialog box displays one sub-problem at a time, and presents the available solution methods to repair it. The first solution in the list is the most complete fix for the problem. You may select other solutions or accept the recommendation.

This dialog box contains the following:

Select Solution list
Select the solution you want applied to the problem.

Repair
Click Repair to apply the selected solution.

Cancel
If you selected a problem type with multiple sub-problems, or a group of sub-problems, Cancel allows you to skip the currently displayed sub-problem and display the next, or close this dialog box.

Click here [image] for more information.


About problem severity

Norton System Check displays an easy-to-read report of the problems it found. Problems are listed by problem type in the order of severity.

There are three levels of severity:

Low
Problem that is unlikely to affect your use of the computer, but should be repaired to keep your system uncluttered. For example, you may have a reference to a file in the registry that points to a file that has been moved or deleted.

Medium
Problem that would be an annoyance to you, but probably won’t interfere with the most important tasks you perform. For example, if an application shortcut refers to a file that is missing or has been moved, you would not be able to launch that application from the shortcut.

High
Problem that can block you from using your computer or could result in data loss. For example, if a file that is required to run an application is missing or corrupt.


Welcome

Welcome to Norton System Check, the safe and easy way to diagnose and repair the most common types of computer problems. You can tailor the repair process to your own needs by selecting which tests to run and which problems to fix.

After running the tests, Norton System Check displays an easy-to-read report of the problems it found. You can specify which problems to fix and how to fix them. Or, you can let Norton System Check fix all found problems automatically.

Select one option, then click Next to continue.

Check Your System
Run the selected Norton System Check tests. Check the scans you want to run.

Find Disk Problems: Scans hard drives for errors.

Find Windows Problems: Validates the registry integrity and checks your system for common Windows problems.

Improve Performance: Checks drive fragmentation levels.

Preventative Maintenance: Scans hard drives for adequate free space and makes sure your Rescue Disks are up to date.

Undo Previous Repairs
Skip all scans and display the Repair History, where you can review repairs that have been made and select specific repairs to undo.

Click Schedule to set Norton System Check to run on a regular basis.


Scanning for problems

Norton System Check scans for problems and then filters irrelevant problems from the Problems Found list. This dialog shows the progress and status of each activity during the test session.

Wait for all the scans to be completed, then click Next to see the results.

Stop
Click to stop Norton System Check activity.


Finish

Norton System Check presents its findings on this dialog.

To view any problems found, click Finish.


To schedule Norton System Check

1	Click here [image] to open Norton Utilities Integrator.

2	Click Options. The Options for Norton Utilities dialog appears.

3	Select the System Check Schedule tab.

4	Select the scans you want and set the schedule.

Click here [image] for more information.


Click this option to limit the number of days that repair history information is saved.


Enter the number of days to save information on repaired problems in the Repair History.


Click this option to limit the total number of repairs that will be saved based on the length of the Repair History list.


Enter the total number of repaired problems to keep in the Repair History.


Configures Norton WinDoctor to keep a record of all repairs without limitation.


Configures Norton WinDoctor to keep a record of all repairs without limitation.


Displays the progress of the current repair.


Displays the name of the problem currently being repaired.


Indicates the number of completed repairs.


Indicates the number of problems that could not be repaired.


Indicates the number of problems yet to be repaired.


Indicates how many problems have been repaired.


Indicates how many problems could not be repaired.


Indicates how many problems have yet to be repaired.


Displays the name of the problem currently being repaired.


Displays the Select Analysis Agents dialog box. Analysis Agents enhance Norton WinDoctor scans by filtering information about irrelevant problems.


Unchecks or checks all of the Norton WinDoctor scans.


Select the Norton WinDoctor scans you want to run. Click a checkbox to select or deselect a scan.

To see information about each scan, place your cursor over it and read the tooltip that displays.


Review the available Norton WinDoctor scans in the list and select the ones you want to run.


Click this option to have Norton WinDoctor perform all available problem scans.


Click this option if you want to select which Norton WinDoctor problem scans to run, or select which Analysis Agents to enable.


Click this option to immediately display the Repair History pane where you can Undo previous repairs. No tests are run with this option.


Choose what you want Norton WinDoctor to do: run all scans, run specific scans, or display the Repair History without running any scans.


Displays a list of the activities Norton WinDoctor is performing. The arrow points to the current activity. A check precedes finished activities.


Indicates the progress of the scan currently being performed.


Displays the name of  the scan currently being performed.


Cancel WinDoctor testing. To check which scans were performed before you stopped the process, look in the Results column.


Norton WinDoctor progress during the scan process displays on this window.


Indicates the progress of the scan currently being performed.


Norton WinDoctor did not find any problems on your computer.


A summary of the problems Norton WinDoctor found diplays on this window.


Click to repair the selected problem.


Select the solution method to be used to correct the currently selected problem.


Displays the name of the currently selected problem.


A list of the available Analysis Agents displays here. Each prevents Norton WinDoctor from displaying information about one type of irrelevant problem. Uncheck any that you want to disable.

To see information about each agent, place your cursor over it and read the tooltip that displays.


Select the repair solution you want Norton WinDoctor to use to correct the currently selected problem.


Click to repair the selected problem.


Displays the name of the currently selected problem.


Click the box to apply this repair solution to the rest of the problems in this group.


Click this option to choose the solution method for each selected problem.


Click this option to let Norton WinDoctor automatically repair all selected problems using its recommended method.


Norton WinDoctor keeps a list of all problems you marked as Ignore in the Details pane of Problems Found.   To redisplay these problems in that pane, and clear the Ignore list, click the button.


Norton WinDoctor keeps a list of all problems you marked as Ignore in the Details pane of Problems Found.   To redisplay these problems in that pane, and clear the Ignore list, click the button.


Lets you select Library options for Norton WinDoctor.


Lets you get context sensitive help by right-clicking in dialog boxes.


Provides more detailed version and registration information for Norton Utilities programs.


Provides introductory information about Norton Utilities programs.


Displays the Norton Utilities graphic while Norton Utilities programs are loading.


Checks for a live connection to the internet on your computer.


Allows you to undo repairs made by Norton WinDoctor.