After stopped new version installed doesn't run

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hi there,

I hope it is alright to post this thread, I have tried to post my experience in previous threads but didn’t get much attention. :-\

Had avast installed last year (around March) and everything was working fine until a few days ago. The Avast sign has now a ‘X’ sign, saying my PC system is Unsecured. When I open it, it says that is has been stopped and that I should hit Fix Now to sort the problem, but nothing happens.

I have followed some of the instructions found on threads elsewhere, e.g. updating/repairing via Panel Control and rebooting but it doesn’t work. I have also had my OS (Windows XP) been re-installed and then have the latest Avast version installed (6.0.1000). The installation was successful and I ran a full scan but when I re-start the pc it doesn’t load up. I have to access my OS through choosing ‘Last Known Good Configuration’ which takes me back to the stopped Avast.

My PC is very ‘light’ now with only few programs installed, including Firefox 4.0 but no other AV.

Many thanks in advance for any comments/suggestions. :wink:

2

Just a few questions.

  1. After re-installing XP have you run windows update to install all updates? What service pack level is installed? Service Pack 3 is the latest.
  2. What firewall are you using?
  3. What were the results of the full scan that you ran? Was anything detected?
  4. You say that you do not use any other antivirus. Do you have any other security related software installed besides Avast?
3

Hi Charyb,

Thanks for replying. I have tried to find out more about your questions:

  1. No. Just been to my windows update function and updated and downloaded new version
  2. Err, trying to find out but didn’t manage. There is no Windows Firewall option in the Control Panel, but it is turned on as I can see in the properties of my network connections
  3. Apparently nothing, as I could see in the quick scan and the boot scan. But after the latter the OS doesn’t load up.
  4. No, since reinstalling first had the drivers and Avast installed, but after re-starting I have to go through last known good configuration to get to the desktop only to find avast stopped.
    Will restart now to valid Windows updates…
4

According to Avast service pack 2 is the minimum requirement for XP.

"What are the supported operating systems for avast! 6.x ?

The supported operating systems for avast! Internet Security 6.x are Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 or higher (any Edition, 32-bit or 64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista (any Edition, 32-bit or 64-bit) or Microsoft Windows 7 (any Edition, 32-bit or 64-bit).

The supported operating systems for avast! Pro Antivirus 6.x and avast! Free Antivirus 6.x are Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack 4, Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 or higher (any Edition, 32-bit or 64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista (any Edition, 32-bit or 64-bit) or Microsoft Windows 7 (any Edition, 32-bit or 64-bit).

Note:
The above means that avast! 6.x isn’t supported (isn’t compatible, can’t be installed and won’t run) on DOS, Microsoft Windows 3.x, Microsoft Windows NT 3.x, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows ME, Microsoft Windows Server operating systems, or any others which aren’t specified as supported."

If updating to service pack 3 using windows update doesn’t solve it then read below.

Another question, how did you re-install windows xp? I just want to get a better idea what you mean by re-install as sometimes it is not clear.
Did you just use a restore point? A recovery disk? A format and reinstallation? An image?

If you “re-installed” any other way than a full format and reinstallation then I would download the Avast uninstall utility from here http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility and run it for all previous versions of Avast i.e. version 4, version 5, and version 6. And make sure that any other security sofware installed in the past has been properly uninstalled.

Then download a new installer of avast free 6.0 from here http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html?part=dl-85737&subj=dl&tag=button and reinstall a fresh version.

5

Hi Charyb,

Thanks for this. I have delayed my answer because I was trying out your advice. After updating windows unistalled and then reinstalled avast with no effect (same infinite rebooting). Got through ‘last known configuration’ and did what you said, downloaded uninstall utility and ran via safe mode. I am now downloading a fresher version and will try to see what it happens.

Yes, I did a full format and reinstallation using the OS cd. I have tried to find about the service pack but it seems is a lower version. I did run, winver.exe and it says version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpclient.010817-1148). No mention of service packs.

I will reinstall again and let you know. Thanks!

6

Hi there,

I’ve been trying to access this forum for hours but apparently there is a problem with the website as only now I managed to get a (bad) viewing.

Well, not much luck with the reinstallation process, same eternal re-booting. Could this be a virus disabling the av or perhaps is better installing an older version of Avast? If so, where can I find one.

Best

7

To see if service pack 3 is installed the easiest way is to go to control panel then select system. This will display a summary of what is installed.

Just two more questions.

  1. Will you check in add/remove programs to see if you have Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable installed?
  2. Will you open command prompt (run as administrator) type in sfc/scannow and let it run? Just want to see if there are any errors in windows. It will take a while to run.

Please see images that I have attached.

You can go here http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/ to select a previous version. It will be listed on the right side of the page.

I’m going to direct DavidR here to see if he can provide any other solutions to this.

8

Charyb,

After a long struggle it finally worked! I guess my OS could not support Avast 6.x, so I followed the link you sent and downloaded and installed version 5.0677 instead (tried some other that didn’t work). It was a great relief to see it getting through the OS load up without automatic rebooting, and now it seems fine.

I’m greatly indebted to your patience, many thanks! I’ll now hit the hay in the wee hours of the night and tomorrow run a boot scan (fingers crossed).

Many thanks and all the best! ;D

9

Your welcome. Not certain what exactly the problem was (still is) with 6.0.1000 on your machine though. It’s not an ideal situation to have to go back to a previous version. If your OS is at service pack two or higher that should be enough. Something is missing here. There is some type of conflict with a driver, etc. somewhere. If you decide to try 6.0.1000 again, go to the Avast GUI=>settings=>troubleshooting and select “load avast services only after loading other system services” and see if that helps. please see attached.