No, I would leave the Norton alone. I still think it is doing it's job and since you mentioned
updates that were downloaded from SBC/AT&T yahoo. I am wondering if that is causing all the trouble.
I think you may be right. I neglected one of the entries in the log and that was my fault note;
This entry in both the logs...
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IPInSightMonitor 02] "C:\Program Files\Visual Networks\Visual IP InSight\SBC\IPMon32.exe"
I had you disable the other one but two entries refer to the same program.....Which is THIS program....IP Insight, which is a Quality of Service monitor and diagnostic tool that isn't required AND this one constantly "phones home" and wastes resources. But it is not required. It's a diagnostic tool that techs can use to troubleshoot connection problems on your line. If it would be needed it could be installed at that time. Bleeping Computer Start Up listing says this about the program
This file has been identified as a program that is undesirable to have running on your computer. This consists of programs that are misleading, harmful, or undesirable.
I would have your friend uninstall it entirely, not just disable it. Have the user look first in Add/Remove and see if it is listed there, if so, remove it.
If not then have him go to C:\Program Files\Visual Networks\Visual IP InSight\
and remove it from there. According to all I can find it isn't needed.