Avast causing Windows Vista problems?

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I’ve been receiving Windows validation error messages. In researching the problem, I ran across the info below, from social.microsoft.com/Forums. Not sure what to do about this…

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For the past few weeks, this forum has been seeing an increasing number of “non-genuine” notifications with the diagnostic reading of
Licensing Data–>
C:\Windows\system32\slmgr.vbs(291, 5) (null): 0xC004D401

In almost all cases, this has been caused by the installation of Avast v6. The only known solution is to uninstall Avast and run their removal tool, then validate the system again, then install an alternative Anti-Virus solution.

Avast appears to be in denial about the situation. They do not appear to be doing anything about it.

2

Are you using genuine version of Windows?

Cheers…

3

In addition, do you have Vista SP1 or SP2 installed?

4

Winver says it’s build 6000, which I think is the original Vista, before SP1. Which is odd, since I’ve been using Windows Update regularly. I just ran Windows Update again, and it’s not offering me SP1 or SP2.

5

Do you have genuine version of Windows?

6

Yes, it’s the version that came with this Dell computer three years ago, no problems since then…

7

  1. Try going to MS and updating to SP2 again, but close everything else out. You may have to put your firewall (if you are using a third-party FW) into Learning Mode; Windows FW is fine.

  2. Please try upgrading from the obsolete version of Avast you have to the current version of 6.0.1125.

  3. Have you done recent scans to make sure you are clean (no infections/malware)?

  4. What other security software do you currently have or did you have in the past on this machine including:

  • Antivirus (AV)

  • Firewall (FW)

  • Trial versions of AV, FW and other security programs

  • Other security software

  • If they were in the past, how did you remove them (the vendor’s uninstaller’s tool or another way)?

8

I’m already using Avast 6.0.1125. Also use Comodo firewall. Have run malware and virus scans, comes up clean.

9

Have a look http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935791
MS information with download links to service packs for Vista.
There have been a few reports of this issue around, as far as I’m aware it only affects computers without the latest service packs installed.

As to why yours isn’t/hasn’t updated its service pack, that is probably a separate issue.

10

try this thread http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=51790.0

11

I have been running Vista Ultimate SP2 all along with Avast! 6 free with no problems. Currently running version 1125. Also running OA++ and Prevx Free along with it. Avast! certainly doesn’t need to be in denial to me, and haven’t found a bunch of other complaints about it either. If you haven’t installed SP2 yet, certainly a good thing to do. I am also running another Vista Home Premium SP2 computer with similar configuration, Avast! 6 free 1125, but with Private Firewall and Prevx Premium. Again, no issue.

12

I ran into this last week on a virtual PC with Vista Ultimate SP2 Retail 64 bit. I just typed the code back in and it was OK. I just booted it up now and it appears OK now. I do have Comodo firewall only also.
Joe

13

It’s sporadic - sometimes boots with no problem, other times I get the error message and have to cold boot.

14

BTW, I seem to recall I did have such a problem in the past after one of the Microsoft updates. I let Microsoft verify a couple of times, had more updates, and never saw it again.

15

Maybe that will work - how do you “let Microsoft verify”?

16

I think you click Validate Now and it brings up a box with some choices .
Joe

17

The popup had an option to verify that my Windows was genuine and I ran it. You may need to go find the Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool.

18

Hi,

Try this for validate Windows http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/validate/

BTW did you installed any device drivers or Windows update did updates on your drivers?

Cheers…

19

I can say this is definitely a problem. I know there are tons of people in denial about the issue, but it’s real.

No, I don’t pirate software. Yes, I have SP2. No, I don’t run “anything weird.”

You want proof it’s Avast!? Do a Google search. I searched for “unauthorized changes” and “vista” and came across a bundle of forum posts for people who mentioned it happened after upgrading to the new Avast!, which I did. I mean, I was kinda strongarmed into it.

I know this seems insulting to ask, but could someone please actually look into the issue instead of just saying things like “Why are you even bothering to post?” or “Did you try verifying?” (note: trying to verify just makes the computer sit there for hours with no hope of ever getting off that screen. To use my computer, I have to restart in safe mode and use system restore to a point before I upgraded Avast! That’s the only way. The registry changes Avast! made must be causing a conflict somewhere)

20

Sorry, but if there’s even a possibility it’s Avast, why spend hours trying to track down a solution? Just switch to another free antivirus program, there are plenty of good ones out there. I haven’t gone that route yet, only because for some reason the problem seems to have resolved itself…

Steve