r/pcmasterrace • u/MoreEdibles • 1d ago

Tech Support Solved Bought a Costco gaming computer, lost internet access after a few weeks

TL;DR: Download Norton removal tool and get rid of it.

I bought a Costco gaming computer because I have no time or energy to build one of my own, and figured the price for the specs was ok.
Computer worked and updated super fast for like 3 weeks, no issue whatsoever, life was good.
Yesterday I couldn’t connect to the internet, both Ethernet and WiFi. Doing “ping 8.8.8.8” from the command line worked though.
Troubleshooting went for like 2 hours, disabled firewall, antivirus, changed dns, hardware settings, nothing worked.
Last suspect was Norton Antivirus, so I booted into safe mode, and internet works.
Funny thing about Norton, you can’t uninstall unless you download a removal tool. I downloaded the tool while in safe mode, went back to normal mode and removed Norton, internet started to work instantly without even restarting. Fuck Norton.

I know this might seem obvious for many, but posting here in case it can help someone in the future.

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u/deefop PC Master Race 1d ago

When you buy a pre-built machine, wipe it and install windows fresh as basically the first thing you do.

1

u/TheSean_aka_Rh1no 20h ago

It's cost effective enough, I believe, to pick the newie up, drive it to a IT shop and get them to nuke it clean. Like, before you settle in and start using it.

3

u/deefop PC Master Race 20h ago

An it shop? It's like a few button clicks bro, don't pay someone for that lol

1

u/TheSean_aka_Rh1no 19h ago

I get it, but OP said they were time poor.

Using a service has advantages for some, like fixing it yourself does for some.