I just got an old laptop from somebody I know and upgraded the installed avast to the latest version. When I try to download files (>20MB) from the internet (clean files) using more than 1 browser, all of the downloaded files have the same size (about 18.5MB). However, these files can’t be opened because they are corrupted. I downloaded the files from a different computer with no issue. The files are definitely clean. I finally disable avast shield and I can download these files with no problem. Any idea what’s going on? I’ve used avast for a while and this is the first time I encounter a problem.
try reinstalling avast! and if your using Internet Explorer I’d sudgest you move to COMODO Dragon (Ultra fast crome)
I don’t know what is going on, but there is no download limit, I regularly download files hundreds of MB+ and no problems.
How are you downloading these files, e.g. are you using a download manager, etc. ?
I tried to download using firefox and chrome and both failed. I only use the avast free antivirus and the windows XP firewall. After I turn off the sheild, I can download fine. I hope there is a solution so that I don’t have to reinstall avast.
For Firefox:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/downthemall/?src=hp-dl-mostpopular
and
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/flashgot/?src=hp-dl-mostpopular
Unfortunately for a solution, we have to find what is causing the problem (corruption/file size restriction) with the downloaded file.
- Normally a file during download would have a temporary file name like filename.part in firefox, etc. and only when the download is complete, does that change to filename.exe.
Obviously if the file you are downloading is bigger than the file on the system it won’t be complete, hence corruption as they are incomplete. But as I said there is no download file size restriction in avast, so why this is happening I simply don’t know. A download manager might well help if for no other reason it should allow for restarting the download should the connection drop out or fail, etc.
- Is it the web shield that you are stopping or all shields ?
If all shields try just the web shield and see if that works.
Have (or did) you another Anti-Virus installed in this system, if so what was it and how did you get rid of it ?
- Do you have some locations of files that failed to download ?
What version did it have ? Did you updgrade cleanly or installed over it using Avast! UI ?
If the old Avast! was like version 5 or 6 and you upgrade to 8, it was better to do a clean install. Now try to repair Avast!
Start > Control panel > Add & Remove programs > select Avast! and click " Change/Remove ". Look for " Repair " then Next. Reboot when finished
Answer to abruptum’s questions:
Thanks. I will try these before reinstalling Avast.
Answer to DavidR’s questions:
- The files did change to an exe extension although they are not complete. All of the downloaded files have the same size although they are actually different.
- I stopped all shield. There is no other AV installed currently but I believed she’s used Symantec in the past. I don’t know how she got rid of it but I’m guessing via the add/remove control panel.
- I used the default download folder for Firefox and Chrome
Answer to iroc9555’s questions:
I don’t know what version it had before. I didn’t pay attention. I just upgraded the AV from the avast UI. I will try to do a repair first, if it doesn’t work, it seems that I need to do a clean avast install.
To remove any Norton leftovers:
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20080828154508EN_EndUserProfile_en_us;jsessionid=F97F11471A44312672DE5C3210C14CCD.4?entsrc=redirect_pubweb&product=home&pvid=f-home&version=1
If repair does not fix the issue, follow this guide to reinstall Avast!
Install from scratch:
1.) Very important to remove all remains of other AVs installed before Avast. Use this site to execute uninstall utilities for other AVs.
http://singularlabs.com/uninstallers/security-software/
2.) Download and save to your desktop aswclear.exe
3.) Download and save a fresh copy of Avast!. Be sure to have your lincense handy if running a paid version.
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup.exe
4.) Open Avast! > Settings > Troubleshooting > Uncheck " Enable Avast! self-defense module ".
5.) Uninstall Avast! normally through Control Panel > Programs & feature ( Vista, W7 ) or Add and remove programs ( XP ). Reboot. If you can not complete this step, continue with step # 6
6.) Even if you were able to uninstall Avast! in step # 5, it is important to run aswclear.exe in safe mode for any Avast! you may have had before, e.g. v.6 o v.7, and finally for v. 8. Reboot into normal mode after uninstall.
How to use aswclear: http://www.avast.com/en-us/faq.php?article=AVKB10#idt_02
NOTE: aswclear has the ability to make your system go into Safe Mode. Just run it in normal mode and follow instructions.
7.) Reinstall fresh copy of Avast! and reboot.
Be aware. Avast! will offer Chrome during installment. Remember to opt-out if you do not want it.
I just want to report back that repairing and reinstalling avast didn’t work. However, using the downthemall addon with Avast on works. So I still have no idea what going on. You might think it’s not avast related (since I already did a clean avast install) but if I turn off avast shields, it works. For now, I think I’m good (with a little annoyance ::))