[PCTECH] blank Windows Search, Windows Update, non-working JavaScript, Media Player error

[Mark Plank <mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

We recently installed the client version of Symantec AntiVirus 9.0. 
Three of our Dell XP machines had problems with the installation (they 
were running Norton 2003 which had to be removed first, while all the 
other machines with Norton 2002 had successful installations). After the 
installation, on all three of these machines, running the Windows Search 
or using Windows Update would result in a blank screen. Also JavaScript 
code would no longer work (various browsers). The Media Player would 
also not work.

I ran both Ad-Aware and Spy-Bot on all the machines before the client 
installation and removed all objects found. After the successful 
installation and updating of definition files, I manually scanned for 
viruses and found none. I ran Ad-Aware and Spy-Bot again but the 
machines were clean.

I Googled and 
<http://leovilletownsquare.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=623181&an=&page=0> 
appeared to have the answer - download and run Windows Script 5.6. That 
solved the problem on two of the machines. On the third machine, when I 
sign on as administrator, everything works fine. When the user signs on 
as administrator (yes, we have two administrative users - it was set up 
that way before I arrived), all but the Windows Search works. 
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/docid/2003020515162736?Open&src=&docid=2001110112423636&nsf=nip.nsf&view=pfdocs&dtype=&prod=&ver=&osv=&osv_lvl 
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/docid/2003020515162736?Open&src=&docid=2001110112423636&nsf=nip.nsf&view=pfdocs&dtype=&prod=&ver=&osv=&osv_lvl>=> 
suggested the Windows Search problem “is caused by file corruption of 
the Microsoft Windows Script (also known as the Script Host). The 
problem is typically not seen until after you install Norton SystemWorks 
or another program because the file corruption has no effect on the 
computer until a program attempts to use the Script Host.” I tried 
running Windows Script 5.6 again under the other user profile, but 
received the “Error registering the OCX C:\WINDOWS\system32\jscript.dll” 
message. 
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/pfdocs/2004021112313539?Open&ExpandSection=1.4%2C1.2%2C1.1%2C1.3 
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/pfdocs/2004021112313539?Open&ExpandSection=1.4%2C1.2%2C1.1%2C1.3>> 
also had suggestions for the fix and I tried them without success.

Now for the strange part. After running Windows Script 5.6 again under 
the other user profile, all profiles have the problems I'm posting 
about. But, if I run Windows Script 5.6 again under my user profile, 
only the Window Search for the other user does not work correctly. I've 
removed and reinstalled Symantec and retried running Windows Script 5.6.

Do you have any other suggestions I could try? The only recent changes 
to these machines were installing the Symantec client the day of or day 
before the problems arose, and installing Ad-Aware and Spy-Bot a week or 
so before the problems were noticed.

Thanks.
Mark Plank