Avast! Antivirus service won't start

I get the error message: The AAVM subsystem detected a RPC error

I’ve checked the documentation, and following the FAQ entry for “Q: There´s a red circle on avast! a-ball icon in system tray and when I click on it, the error message appears saying “the AAVM subsystem detected a RPC error”. How to fix this?”

I cannot get the Avast! Antivirus service to start. It says it is dependent on RPC (which is running) and Avast! Standard Shield Support, which doesn’t appear to exist.

I’m using Windows XP, SP2 (all patched and up-to-date!) and Avast 4.7 Home edition. Build 4.7.871; Xtreme Toolkit Version 1.9.4.0;

I’ve tried to repair the install - no joy.

Does anyone have any pointer about what to do next?

This is usually associated with having another AV installed.
Have (or did) you have another AV installed in this system, if so what and how did you get rid of it ?

Just a novice and unsophisticated user here. On an older IBM Thinkpad 765L, using Windows 98SE with all updates, I experienced the same issues.

I followed all of the friendly advice here on the forum (rigorously clearing out McAfee, cleaning out the new Avast) but still had the same problem.

So, I uninstalled Avast again, and per advice elsewhere in this same forum, but in different topic string, I installed Avast Version 4.7.844 from the www.filehippo.com site. I configured to use ONLY manual updates, did my initial scan, and shut down.

I restarted and the problem with the resident and with the “A ball with red circle and backslash” were gone. Unfortunately, this will in the long term, limit the operation of Avast. Plus, I have yet to see how I fare on reloading Spybot. Plus, I have yet to download the latest Avast virus definition file.

Still, it is a “temporary fix” that others have tried successfully, and now so have I!!!

Good luck

:slight_smile: Hi all :

  Sometimes an "RPC Error" may be "corrected" by running
  the "DCOMbobulator" available from www.grc.com/dcom 
 ( To "disable" the "DCOM" ) .

I used to have Norton AV 2005 installed. I uninstalled it and rebooted before installing Avast.

NAV is notorious for remnants that when detected avast wil diaable elements to avoid conflict that could lock-up your system.

A link worth looking at, which is a program removal tool that can remove the remnants of a number of different Norton Programs:
Removing your Norton program using SymNRT

– If you can’t run the Web Utility. Using the Norton Removal Tool: Manual file download
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/sharedtech.nsf/docid/2006031710323113?Open&docid=2005033108162039&nsf=tsgeninfo.nsf&view=docid
Full SymNRT info:

  1. Download and save these three files to the Windows desktop:
    a) ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/linked_files/tsgen/MSIFIX.bat
    b) ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/linked_files/tsgen/SymNRT.exe
    c) ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/linked_files/tsgen/SYMMSICLEANUP.reg

  2. Run the three files that you just downloaded
    a) On the Windows desktop, double-click the MSIFIX icon.
    Click Run.
    A black window may appear very briefly.
    b) On the Windows desktop, double-click the SymNRT icon.
    Click Run.
    Click Next.
    Click I accept the License Agreement, and click Next.
    Type the letters and numbers that you see in the white box, and then click Next.
    Click Yes or OK at each prompt.
    You may need to click more than once. Your computer may be restarted for you more than once.
    You may be asked to repeat some steps after the computer restarts.
    c) On the Windows desktop, double-click the SYMMSICLEANUP icon.
    Click Run, and then click Yes.
    Click OK.

  3. Boot.

I just joined this thread. Avast was working fine on my machine. Now I get the RPC error and I am unable to start the service. I D/Led and used the DCOMbobulator utility, re-booted, and I get the same error message from AVAST and the servive cannot be started manually.

Alobar

I, like Alobar, just joined this thread. I am having the same exact problem as described in the original message of this thread. I have used only Avast on this system. This just appeared out of the blue, and is seriously undermining my confidence in Avast, and with the ability of the tech staff to troubleshoot this problem. Blaming it on other AVs, other security tools, etc., or continually recommending uninstalls and reinstalls isn’t solving the problem, so how about let’s start this over from scratch. It is exhibiting this behavior, as described exactly above, and all of the previous “recommendations” have failed to solve the issue. What next?!

@ Alobar
If of you can answer the question I asked in the first reply about other AVs.

@ tjdavid21444
We aren’t blaming other AVs or other security programs per say, but all you have to do is use the forums search to find that this is frequently the cause and we have to start fault finding somewhere. And as you can see from the originator of this thread they used one of the AVs most featured in this type of problem.

The vast majority of people who help here are avast users just like you, who give their time to try and help other avast users.

As to what next, I don’t feel I can offer any help since you don’t have any confidence in avast or the ability its tech staff, so I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.

I solved the problem. I had to uninstall Avast. At first I tried to repair it from the Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel, but that did not work. So I un-installed, re-booted, then installed a fresh copy. Now everything works fine with no error messages. I still have NO idea why Avast stopped working properly.

Alobar

Well, it is certainly great to hear that yet ANOTHER uninstall and reinstall SOLVED this problem. I guess it would be too much to ask that when you install a program that you not have to re-install it periodically to fix mysterious problems that continue to occur with it. I will get right on it and uninstall AGAIN. The only difference? I won’t be reinstalling it this time. >:(

Your remarks puzzle me. Avast is free for home users. I have programs I had to pay for which have serious glitches and the softrweare companies woln’t tell me how to fix the problems. With Avast, it may take a while to solve the problem, but it is solvable.

I am quite happy with Avast, and this forum.

Alobar

If you try to give us more info, have some patience… well, we can try to debug the problem.
Otherwise, there is not a perfect software at all 8)

What sort of info do you need? As this problem has happened twice with me, I am assuming it may happen a third time?

Alobar

Well…
You had sorted your problem:

So I’ve asked tjdavid21444 about his computer:

  1. Other antivirus installed (even in the past)
  2. Other security programs (antispywares, etc.)
  3. Firewall
  4. Operational System version (or if it is updated)
  5. avast version
  6. If the user try to repair avast installation

tjdavid21444 seems to be nervous, I’ve just posted trying to help. But to help, I need more info about the problem and his computer :wink:

Sorry I’m new here and don’t know this message system, so please bear with me.

I have to agree with tjdavid21444. Reading the FAQ and this forum, the only info I’m getting is “do what the FAQ is telling you”.

I have started the serves, and put it on auto, reboot. Did not work
I uninstalled Avast two days ago, and reinstalled. Today I started getting the same error message.

1. Other antivirus installed (even in the past) None, this is a new install of WinXP-Pro64 (about 5 days ago)
2. Other security programs (antispywares, etc.) Windows Defender, installed the same day as Avast (the first time)
3. Firewall The one built into XP-Pro64, and the D-Link router
4. Operational System version (or if it is updated) Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Version 2003, Service Pack 1 (This is the most “up-to-date” that it can be)
5. avast version v. 4.7.871 home, VPS file 0639-1 09/25/2006
6. If the user try to repair avast installation Yes, see #1

imwacc0, please, uninstall avast

  1. Uninstall avast from Control Panel first.
  2. Boot
  3. Use Avast Uninstall for complete uninstallation (read http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_uninstall_util.html)
  4. Boot
  5. Install again the last 4.7.892 version.

After booting, start avast and set the Log level to Debug. Then let see what happens, if you receive errors, etc.

I had this same problem yesterday, but simply going to add/remove programs and choosing fix solved the problem.

But there are two things I like to comment:

I did a manual update just to confirm that everything was alright, but it took a long time downloading files and asked for a reboot. Is this normal?

Also, avast found a couple of trojans after this fix, and it couldn’t delete them. So I scheduled a boot scan to see if it can delete them.

Maybe some virus has caused this problem?

I’m using AVAST PRO for some years now, without any problems. But suddenly that RPC error hit, and nothing helped!

Going back to a image from end of August, everything worked well. Updated W2K and Office 2000 without problem.

BUT: Updated then SPYBOT search+destroy (version first half of September) brought that RPC error. Manipulating Spybot with older updates didn’t help anymore. So I unloaded Spybot completely. I’m running now without it. I must say I always updated also the BETA versions, as until now I did not have any problems with these Beta-updates.

My impression is, that many other programs may cause this RPC problem for Avast. Some time ago it was not so sensitive. Avast should look into that problem and try to make Avast more insensitive to that!

In fact, RPC is a Windows essential service (Remote Procedure Call).
I don’t think avast is ‘sensitive’ to it or not, but, it’s well known that programs could interect themselves, specially the ones which try to bring security to your computer.
I have XP SP2+, SpyBot (with beta updates too) and avast. No trouble.
In fact, not being a resident, SpyBot is very compatible with avast. I don’t think other people report problems between avast and Spybot here in forums before ::slight_smile: