Avast requires frequent restarts

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hi all. I’ve been using Avast 4.7 Home for a month or two, on Windows XP Home. Lately it seems as if at least once a day Avast is asking me to restart my system (generally after I have all my software loaded and ready to work). Is this normal, or should I suspect a problem?

I have a couple of times had to repair Avast, using the Add/Remove Programs software, due to the red “not working” icon on the blue ball. The repairs have gone okay. It all seems to be working fine now, but I’m getting really tired of the constant restarts.

(I’ve also had many restarts due to reinstallation issues around unrelated media software. Could that be a factor?)

Thanks.

Jeff

2

Operating system restart needed by avast message could be solved, in some systems, by deleting the file \setup\reboot.txt

If deleting reboot.txt doesn’t stop the requests for reboot check this:
Check this registry entry (right after computer restart):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager, if it contains “PendingFileRenameOperations”.
Check its contents and if there’s only “reboot.txt” from avast4\setup folder, delete PendingFileRenameOperations, don’t delete any other key.
Back-up (export) the registry key before you edit/delete, just in case.

Not sure what the problem with your shutdown might be (does this happen every time?), there could be something running that isn’t ending correctly. Hopefully something may be in the windows event logs.

3

Thanks. I just deleted reboot.txt (it was an empty file), and I’ll see what happens. Just as soon not mess with the registry if I don’t have to.

Not sure where to find the windows event logs, but regarding shutdown, it’s not uncommon for Musicmatch Jukebox to hang on shutdown and require me to click “End Task” as I’m quitting for the night. Is it possible that something like that would trigger this behavior in Avast?

We do have several computers in the house running Avast, and this only happens on the one.

Jeff

4

If the problem reoccurs, please post the last part of the file \setup\setup.log (say last 100 lines or so)

Thanks
Vlk

5

Will do. (It’ll probably be a day or two before I know.)

Jeff

6

So far, so good. Looks as if removing reboot.txt may have taken care of the problem. (If it comes back, I’ll let you know.)

Jeff

7

Well, the problem and the file reboot.txt both reappeared today, but only after I went through some nonsense about Windows Genuine Authenticity that required some messing around and several restarts. I don’t know if that could be related or not.

In any case, I once more deleted reboot.txt (which again was an empty file), and we’ll see what happens.

8

In case this is meaningful to you, here’s the last part of my setup.log file:

22:58:46 min/gen Started: 29.09.2006, 22:58:46
22:58:46 min/gen Running setup_av_pro-37c (892)
22:58:46 nrm/sys Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 2.0 [Service Pack 2]
22:58:46 vrb/sys Computer WinName: ORION
22:58:46 min/sys Windows Net User: SYSTEM
22:58:46 min/gen Cmdline: /downloadpkgs /noreboot /updatevps /verysilent
22:58:46 vrb/gen DldSrc set to inet
22:58:46 vrb/gen Operation set to INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES
22:58:46 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
22:58:46 nrm/gen SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
22:58:46 vrb/sys Computer DnsName: Orion
22:58:46 vrb/sys Computer Ip Addr: 192.168.2.106
22:58:46 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
22:58:46 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
22:58:46 vrb/pkg Part prg_av_pro-37c is installed
22:58:46 vrb/pkg Part vps-63903 is installed
22:58:46 vrb/pkg Part news-4b is installed
22:58:46 vrb/pkg Part setup_av_pro-37c is installed
22:58:46 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
22:58:46 vrb/fil SetExistingFilesBitmap: 904->141->141
22:58:46 min/gen GUID: 34faa45b-402e-41cc-bc83-2d4100ebd2c8
22:58:46 nrm/gen Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 72 (maintenance:0)
22:58:46 nrm/gen SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download68 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
22:58:46 min/pkg GetPackages - set proxy for inet
22:58:46 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
22:58:46 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
22:58:46 vrb/gen Used server: http://download68.avast.com/iavs4x
22:58:46 nrm/gen Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 72 (maintenance:0)
22:58:46 nrm/gen SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download56 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
22:58:46 min/pkg GetPackages - set proxy for inet
22:58:46 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
22:58:46 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
22:58:47 vrb/gen Used server: http://download56.avast.com/iavs4x
22:58:47 vrb/gen Used server: http://download56.avast.com/iavs4x
22:58:47 min/gen Part of license key: W33624673H3500A1106
22:58:47 min/pkg Load C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\prod-av_pro.vpu
22:58:47 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: news = news-4b
22:58:47 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: program = prg_av_pro-37c
22:58:47 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: setup = setup_av_pro-37c
22:58:47 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: vps = vps-63904
22:58:47 vrb/gen Used server: http://download56.avast.com/iavs4x
22:58:47 vrb/pkg Part vps-63904 was set to be installed
22:58:47 vrb/pkg Removed obsolete file part-vps-63903.vpu
22:58:47 vrb/pkg FilterOutExistingFiles: 141 & 141 = 0
22:58:47 vrb/pkg FilterOutExistingFiles: 141 & 141 = 0
22:58:47 vrb/pkg IsFullOkay: vpsm-63904.vpu - not okay
22:58:47 vrb/pkg IsFullOkay: vpsm-63904.vpu - not okay
22:58:47 vrb/pkg IsFullOkay: vpsm-63904.vpu - not okay
22:58:47 vrb/pkg IsFullOkay: vpsm-63904.vpu - not okay
22:58:48 vrb/gen Used server: http://download56.avast.com/iavs4x
22:58:48 nrm/pkg DldPackage: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\vpsm-63904.vpu, returned 0x00000000
22:58:48 vrb/pkg Removed obsolete file vpsm-63903.vpu
22:58:50 min/pkg vps: needs to be updated [063904]
22:58:50 vrb/pkg FilterOutExistingFiles: 141 & 141 = 0
22:58:50 nrm/pkg Transferred files: 5
22:58:50 nrm/pkg Transferred bytes: 28887
22:58:50 nrm/pkg Transfer time: 1079 ms
22:58:50 vrb/int Sending stats ‘http://download56.avast.com/cgi-bin/iavs4stats.cgi’: 00000000 204
22:58:50 vrb/fil NeedReboot=false
22:58:50 min/gen Return code: 0x20000000 [Something done]
22:58:50 min/gen Stopped: 29.09.2006, 22:58:50

22:58:51 min/gen Started: 29.09.2006, 22:58:51
22:58:51 min/gen Running setup_av_pro-37c (892)
22:58:51 nrm/sys Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 2.0 [Service Pack 2]
22:58:51 vrb/sys Computer WinName: ORION
22:58:51 min/sys Windows Net User: SYSTEM
22:58:51 min/gen Cmdline: /refresh /noreboot /updatevps /verysilent
22:58:51 vrb/gen Operation set to INST_OP_UPDATE_INSTALL_PACKAGES
22:58:51 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
22:58:51 nrm/gen SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
22:58:51 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
22:58:51 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
22:58:51 vrb/pkg Part prg_av_pro-37c is installed
22:58:51 vrb/pkg Part vps-63904 is installed
22:58:51 vrb/pkg Part news-4b is installed
22:58:51 vrb/pkg Part setup_av_pro-37c is installed
22:58:51 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
22:58:51 vrb/fil SetExistingFilesBitmap: 904->141->141
22:58:51 min/gen GUID: 34faa45b-402e-41cc-bc83-2d4100ebd2c8
22:58:51 vrb/gen Entering:UpdateInstallPackages
22:58:51 min/pkg Load C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\prod-av_pro.vpu
22:58:51 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: news = news-4b
22:58:51 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: program = prg_av_pro-37c
22:58:51 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: setup = setup_av_pro-37c
22:58:51 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: vps = vps-63904
22:58:51 vrb/pkg FilterOutExistingFiles: 141 & 141 = 0
22:58:51 vrb/pkg FilterOutExistingFiles: 141 & 141 = 0
22:58:51 vrb/pkg ArePartsInstallable: 1
22:58:53 min/pkg vps: updated [063904]
22:58:54 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4*.*
22:59:32 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH*.*
22:59:34 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH\HELP*.*
22:59:36 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH\HtmlData*.*
22:59:36 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\images*.*
22:59:39 nrm/pkg Transferred files: 0
22:59:39 nrm/pkg Transferred bytes: 0
22:59:39 nrm/pkg Transfer time: 0 ms
22:59:39 vrb/fil NeedReboot=false
22:59:39 min/gen Return code: 0x20000000 [Something done]
22:59:39 min/gen Stopped: 29.09.2006, 22:59:39

9

Have you checked the registry, as in Tech’s first post and see if there is anything there ?

10

With this log file end, avast! requested computer restart?

11

Yes. It just did it again (after a couple of days of not).

I tend to avoid mucking with the registry except as a last resort, but I just checked the entry mentioned above. There was no “PendingFileRenameOperations” key.

I have just (again) deleted reboot.txt.

Just in case it’s helpful, here is the most recent end of my setup.log:

17:20:41 min/gen Started: 02.10.2006, 17:20:41
17:20:41 min/gen Running setup_av_pro-37c (892)
17:20:41 nrm/sys Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 2.0 [Service Pack 2]
17:20:41 vrb/sys Computer WinName: ORION
17:20:41 min/sys Windows Net User: SYSTEM
17:20:41 min/gen Cmdline: /refresh /noreboot /updatevps /verysilent
17:20:41 vrb/gen Operation set to INST_OP_UPDATE_INSTALL_PACKAGES
17:20:41 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
17:20:41 nrm/gen SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
17:20:41 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
17:20:41 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
17:20:41 vrb/pkg Part prg_av_pro-37c is installed
17:20:41 vrb/pkg Part vps-64000 is installed
17:20:41 vrb/pkg Part news-4b is installed
17:20:41 vrb/pkg Part setup_av_pro-37c is installed
17:20:41 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
17:20:42 vrb/fil SetExistingFilesBitmap: 904->141->141
17:20:42 min/gen GUID: 34faa45b-402e-41cc-bc83-2d4100ebd2c8
17:20:44 vrb/gen Entering:UpdateInstallPackages
17:20:44 min/pkg Load C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\prod-av_pro.vpu
17:20:44 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: news = news-4b
17:20:44 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: program = prg_av_pro-37c
17:20:44 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: setup = setup_av_pro-37c
17:20:44 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: vps = vps-64000
17:20:44 vrb/pkg FilterOutExistingFiles: 141 & 141 = 0
17:20:44 vrb/pkg FilterOutExistingFiles: 141 & 141 = 0
17:20:44 vrb/pkg ArePartsInstallable: 1
17:20:52 min/pkg vps: updated [064000]
17:20:57 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4*.*
17:21:51 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH*.*
17:21:55 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH\HELP*.*
17:21:57 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH\HtmlData*.*
17:21:58 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\images*.*
17:22:00 nrm/pkg Transferred files: 0
17:22:00 nrm/pkg Transferred bytes: 0
17:22:00 nrm/pkg Transfer time: 0 ms
17:22:00 vrb/fil NeedReboot=false
17:22:00 min/gen Return code: 0x20000000 [Something done]
17:22:00 min/gen Stopped: 02.10.2006, 17:22:00

14:33:15 min/gen Started: 03.10.2006, 14:33:15
14:33:15 min/gen Running setup_av_pro-37c (892)
14:33:15 nrm/sys Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 2.0 [Service Pack 2]
14:33:15 vrb/sys Computer WinName: ORION
14:33:15 min/sys Windows Net User: SYSTEM
14:33:15 min/gen Cmdline: /downloadpkgs /noreboot /updatevps /verysilent
14:33:15 vrb/gen DldSrc set to inet
14:33:15 vrb/gen Operation set to INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES
14:33:15 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
14:33:15 nrm/gen SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
14:33:15 vrb/sys Computer DnsName: Orion
14:33:15 vrb/sys Computer Ip Addr: 192.168.2.106
14:33:15 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
14:33:15 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
14:33:15 vrb/pkg Part prg_av_pro-37c is installed
14:33:15 vrb/pkg Part vps-64000 is installed
14:33:15 vrb/pkg Part news-4b is installed
14:33:15 vrb/pkg Part setup_av_pro-37c is installed
14:33:15 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
14:33:15 vrb/fil SetExistingFilesBitmap: 904->141->140
14:33:15 min/gen GUID: 34faa45b-402e-41cc-bc83-2d4100ebd2c8
14:33:15 nrm/gen Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 72 (maintenance:0)
14:33:15 nrm/gen SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download47 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
14:33:15 min/pkg GetPackages - set proxy for inet
14:33:15 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
14:33:15 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
14:33:16 vrb/gen Used server: http://download47.avast.com/iavs4x
14:33:16 nrm/gen Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 72 (maintenance:0)
14:33:16 nrm/gen SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download25 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
14:33:16 min/pkg GetPackages - set proxy for inet
14:33:16 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
14:33:16 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
14:33:16 vrb/gen Used server: http://download25.avast.com/iavs4x
14:33:16 vrb/gen Used server: http://download25.avast.com/iavs4x
14:33:16 min/gen Part of license key: W33624673H3500A1106
14:33:16 min/pkg Load C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\prod-av_pro.vpu
14:33:16 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: news = news-4b
14:33:16 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: program = prg_av_pro-37c
14:33:16 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: setup = setup_av_pro-37c
14:33:16 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: vps = vps-64001
14:33:16 vrb/gen Used server: http://download25.avast.com/iavs4x
14:33:16 vrb/pkg Part vps-64001 was set to be installed
14:33:16 vrb/pkg Removed obsolete file part-vps-64000.vpu
14:33:20 vrb/pkg IsFullOkay: vpsm-64001.vpu - not okay
14:33:20 vrb/pkg IsFullOkay: vpsm-64001.vpu - not okay
14:33:20 vrb/pkg IsFullOkay: vpsm-64001.vpu - not okay
14:33:20 vrb/pkg IsFullOkay: vpsm-64001.vpu - not okay
14:33:20 vrb/gen Used server: http://download25.avast.com/iavs4x
14:33:20 nrm/pkg DldPackage: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\vpsm-64001.vpu, returned 0x00000000
14:33:20 vrb/pkg Removed obsolete file vpsm-64000.vpu
14:33:23 min/pkg vps: needs to be updated [064001]
14:33:23 vrb/pkg FilterOutExistingFiles: 141 & 140 = 1
14:33:23 nrm/pkg Transferred files: 5
14:33:23 nrm/pkg Transferred bytes: 15234
14:33:23 nrm/pkg Transfer time: 983 ms
14:33:23 vrb/int Sending stats ‘http://download25.avast.com/cgi-bin/iavs4stats.cgi’: 00000000 204
14:33:23 vrb/fil NeedReboot=false
14:33:23 min/gen Return code: 0x20000000 [Something done]
14:33:23 min/gen Stopped: 03.10.2006, 14:33:23

14:33:25 min/gen Started: 03.10.2006, 14:33:25
14:33:25 min/gen Running setup_av_pro-37c (892)
14:33:25 nrm/sys Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 2.0 [Service Pack 2]
14:33:25 vrb/sys Computer WinName: ORION
14:33:25 min/sys Windows Net User: SYSTEM
14:33:25 min/gen Cmdline: /refresh /noreboot /updatevps /verysilent
14:33:25 vrb/gen Operation set to INST_OP_UPDATE_INSTALL_PACKAGES
14:33:25 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
14:33:25 nrm/gen SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
14:33:25 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
14:33:25 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
14:33:25 vrb/pkg Part prg_av_pro-37c is installed
14:33:25 vrb/pkg Part vps-64001 is installed
14:33:25 vrb/pkg Part news-4b is installed
14:33:25 vrb/pkg Part setup_av_pro-37c is installed
14:33:25 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
14:33:26 vrb/fil SetExistingFilesBitmap: 904->141->140
14:33:26 min/gen GUID: 34faa45b-402e-41cc-bc83-2d4100ebd2c8
14:33:26 vrb/gen Entering:UpdateInstallPackages
14:33:26 min/pkg Load C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\prod-av_pro.vpu
14:33:26 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: news = news-4b
14:33:26 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: program = prg_av_pro-37c
14:33:26 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: setup = setup_av_pro-37c
14:33:26 vrb/pkg LatestPartInfo: vps = vps-64001
14:33:26 vrb/pkg ArePartsInstallable: 1
14:33:32 min/pkg vps: updated [064001]
14:33:32 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4*.*
14:33:40 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH*.*
14:33:42 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH\HELP*.*
14:33:42 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH\HtmlData*.*
14:33:43 vrb/fil Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\images*.*
14:33:44 nrm/pkg Transferred files: 0
14:33:44 nrm/pkg Transferred bytes: 0
14:33:44 nrm/pkg Transfer time: 0 ms
14:33:44 vrb/fil NeedReboot=false
14:33:44 min/gen Return code: 0x20000000 [Something done]
14:33:44 min/gen Stopped: 03.10.2006, 14:33:44

12

Just did it again. Not on startup, as it usually does, but when the computer had been running for hours. I just looked to see when the file reboot.txt was created, and it was just a few minutes ago. Also modified at the same time were the files summary.txt and setup.ini.

Here’s the content of summary.txt:

Information about current update:
Total time: 25 s

  • Program: Already up to date
    (current version 4.7.892)

Server: download31.avast.com (70.84.93.242)
Downloaded files: 3 (0.03 KB)
Download time: 1 s

Here’s the content of setup.ini:

[DownloadSettings]
FailSafeServer=http://download31.avast.com/iavs4x
Speed=33600
[Common]
Tooltip=b?MTE1ODEwNTE3NA==
ZeroFootprint=0
NetAcc=1
NetIP=
NetPort=0
NetUser=
NetPwd=
GUID=34faa45b-402e-41cc-bc83-2d4100ebd2c8
[Groups]
Group1=av_pro_core
Group2=av_pro_coreskins
Group3=av_pro_corewnt
Group4=av_pro_dll_eng
Group5=av_pro_hlp_eng
Group6=av_pro_rdr
Group7=av_pro_res_mai
Group8=av_pro_res_mes
Group9=av_pro_res_ns
Group10=av_pro_res_out
Group11=av_pro_res_p2p
Group12=av_pro_res_std
Group13=av_pro_res_ws
Group14=av_pro_skins
Group15=av_pro_sysx
Group16=avscan
Group17=winsys
Group18=winsysgui
Group19=
[Parts]
part.program=prg_av_pro-37c
part.vps=vps-64003
part.news=news-4b
part.setup=setup_av_pro-37c
[PartsLatest]
part.program=prg_av_pro-37c
part.vps=vps-64003
part.news=news-4b
part.setup=setup_av_pro-37c
[PartsLatestTimes]
part.program=1159209164
part.vps=1160047934
part.news=1159443654
part.setup=1159209172
[Info]
LastCheckTime=1160119793
LastUpdateTime=1160119794
[UpdateSummary]
UpdateStartTime=43721437
SetupOld=892
PrgOld=892
VPSOld=409603
PartsWanted=0F000000
Server=download31.avast.com
IP=70.84.93.242
DldFiles=3
DldBytes=30
DldTime=546
LastError=536870912

I hope this makes sense to someone.

13

Please post also the content of “PendingFileRenameOperations” in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager.

14

There is no such key.

There’s a FileRenameOperations, with the content of (Default) Data:(value not set),

but no PendingFileRenameOperations.

15

Strange, this key shouldn’t exist with this name on Windows XP.

The correct name should be [b]HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager[/b] and PendingFileRenameOperations
??? ::slight_smile:

16

Well, I have no idea at all what to do with that information. !!

Today, when I clicked on some email msgs in Outlook, I got a popup saying something like “cannot read virus database date–file corrupt?” followed by “operation completed.” Which really left me scratching my head. Happened a few times, after clicking to view individual emails.

I’m starting to wonder if I should reinstall Avast.

17

Maybe you can export (save) that windows registry key, delete it and see it you get rid of avast restarts.
But, of course, you can do what you’ve suggested:

It won’t harm… :wink:

18

Well, that’s weird. I posted two further updates here, which are nowhere to be found under this topic. (??)

I did uninstall Avast, and had the devil’s own time reinstalling it. Msgs about missing dll, long setup bug reports, etc. I used the clean uninstall tool that I downloaded here, and that didn’t help. Finally I used System Restore to roll back a day, and while that didn’t give me a working Avast setup, it did get me to the point where I could install Avast again.

So now I have (apparently) a properly running installation.

However, one of the first things Avast did (following the normal installation-complete restart) was ask me to restart my computer! I have just deleted reboot.txt again.

One other thing – I now have a second Avast folder – \Avast4(2), which contains some older setup files. Can I delete that?

19

I feel sorry for you… I’ve just tried to help as a user here. Indeed, I did not find that much trouble with avast, but, in your case, things weren’t easy…

Most probably you can…

20

Well, thanks for the effort. I actually suspect a problem specific to this machine. Avast is running on two other computers around here without problem.

I had a problem with a failed memory upgrade a little while back, and various strange problems have been occurring ever since. Probably what I really need to do is to reinstall windows, but I don’t have a day to spend on the project.