I am totally new with Inkscape and new experience with Open Source programs. Since I installed Inkscape, I never had a chance to even open it, because I found that having it on my computer caused my Symantec Utilities to freeze during the weekly scan of WinDoctor. I realized it would freeze at this point: Program files\Inkscape\python\Lib\site-packages\numpy\distutils\". I tried uninstalling Inkscape through XP's Control Panel to remove programs. It removed all the files in the above directories, but left the directory tree intact, but apparently emptied of files. I tried deleting the directory tree starting with "distutils" but Windows tells me it cannot delete the directory because it is not empty, yet there are no files in it. I asked for XP to reveal all hidden files, yet it still shows no files in it.

I then thought I could reinstall Inkscape to see if it would then replace all the files in the directory tree, and I could try to have it monitored by Symantec's Clean Sweep program. I could not reinstall Inkscape, and I have tried it several times.

I am at a frustrated place, because my Symantec program WinDoctor was the way I could clean my registry of all the junk it piles up in XP. Can someone with some tech knowhow help me?

Welcome to the boards MariaD
I understand your concern and frustration and hopefully this will help. I too use those same utilities and sometimes and application will give it a problem, but this is the solution that I have found that works wonders for me.
1. Remember usually on windows when you install a program you want to do it with your antivirus disabled (but scan the .exe program before installing)

2. You will need to do the following:
a. Download CCleaner and install, but pay attention so that you do not install the yahoo toolbar and also when presented with the options of what you want CCleaner to install additionally like desktop, startmenu shortcuts, run at startup etc choose only those things that you want. (I personally just have the start menu and desktop shortcuts and deselected the other choices.)

b. After installing and clicking analyze and running the program you will find that you have some things that you have been left on you computer for some time. Remove those items.

c. Go the registry part of the application and run that when prompted for creating a backup select yes and proceed to remove the registry entries.

Then for the final cleanup go to the Microsoft website Windows One Live Care for the cleanup scanner. When you are prompted to install the scanner do so and then launch the scanner.

Once it is finished turn off you computer and then turn back on (no do not restart it is not really the same) and install inscape and you will have no problems with the install. (Just remember sometimes having applications that monitor you computer all the time sometimes can cause problems when you try to remove particular programs so it becomes necessary to temporarily disable the program in correctly install an application)

Thanks capnhud for your prompt and clear answer. I will attempt to follow your good directions.

You know, I don't want to be flamed but in my opinion Symantec is the tool of the devil. Stay away from it. Same with McAfee. I recommend the free AVG for antivirus and a good firewall such as Zone Alarm's free version. The latter applications do not effect PC performance.

Thanks for recommendation on AVG and Zone Alarm.

heathenx wrote:You know, I don't want to be flamed but in my opinion Symantec is the tool of the devil. Stay away from it. Same with McAfee. I recommend the free AVG for antivirus and a good firewall such as Zone Alarm's free version. The latter applications do not effect PC performance.

I resisted saying the same thing Symantec just isn't a good product and in the past I've found it is be as bad as a virus - It would slow down PC's to crawl, prevent applications from running properly, and you couldn't uninstall it.

Yes I would agree with heathenx and microUgly concerning Symantec, however in order to remove versions before 2007 you would need to use their uninstall tool followed by the recommendations I gave MariaD to completely remove their products from your computer. If you allow Symantec or any virus protection software to stay enabled while installing other software you will eventually have a problem when trying to clean your computer. Hence the reason alot of applications indicate that you stop other things from running while you install. This just prevents problems down the road.

Even after using Symantecs Norton remover tool, lots of stuff remains in the registry. A registry search with a program like JV Powertools will still dig up a lot.
I have good experiences with the Macecraft registry tools and the free CCleaner - and the free avast for antivirus needs.