do a system restore back to the day before norton if possible. ps. other trick is installing ca antivirus it might removes norton first. http://www.downloadatoz.com/utility_directory/ca-anti-virus-plus-2009/
Ten years ago I had Norton Internet Security installed on one of my machines. I was remodeling my house and moved into a place I rented down the street. Since I was not connected to the internet, I chose not to renew the subscription to Norton. The piece of shit harassed me continually about expired subscription so I uninstalled it. Only there was no uninstall so I researched how to uninstall. I follow the incredibly complicated instructions to the tee and it ruined the whole system. I lost everything. Norton can go suck donkey dick. They fucking suck. Fuck them and fuck their junk fucking products. I perpetually hate them with a passion. They are greedy selfish fucking dickheaded bastards.
I think you nailed it mg. Now my computer will only start in safe mode. Best buy wanted 379.00 to fix it. They couldn't even find a virus. I think a class action suit is in order.
This doesn't help the OP but Norton Antivirus is itself a virus with the way it affects the performance of your machine and the fact that it is so freaking hard to uninstall. At all costs, don't install that piece of crap software.