Avast service can't start

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I’ve been running Avast Free Protection on my Windows XP Professional SP3 computer for several months now. Previously I’ve had Malware Bytes and AVG installed on this computer, however both are removed now.

Two days ago I realized that I had auto-updates turned off for a long time, and I restarted it. It took several cycles to download all the updates from Microsoft, but when it was finished, the avast service was not able to start (Note: SP3 was already on my computer before doing this update). I can not manually start it, and each time it tries to start the service I get this error in my event viewer: “The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 3 time(s).”

I have since tried many times to reinstall (as this was the only suggestion I could find on the forums). I’ve downloaded the cleanup program provided by avast, and have run this in safe mode before reinstalling. I’ve also run CCleaner to try to clean up the registry before installing, if that makes any difference.

The problem has to do with the Microsoft updates, is there anything I can try to get avast working?

2

You could run the removal utility for avast several times; each time selecting previous versions of avast (avast 4 / 5 / 6 …). Be sure to select the correct path to the installation folder.

You can also search for any (hidden) folders that could be left after the removal, like “avast*” or “alwil*”.

You can also run the respective removal utility for previous security tools you had before. Sometimes just “uninstalling” is not enough. For removal utilities, see my signature.

Please report back.

3

I’ve run the remove programs for AVG and Malware Bytes as you indicated, and also ran the avast removal for the different versions (all in safe mode).

Upon reinstall, the service still doesn’t start. Instead, it hangs on the “Starting” status (Edited to add: It should be on the status “Started”). But avast seems to be ok with this: the updates, scans, and real time shields all appear functional.

I’ve seen this before with my previous installation attempts. It is usually not dependable: some times the service will hang like this, and sometimes it will outright crash. I will post back if the service stops and I can’t use avast in the future.

4

After the installation, have you rebooted before checking the status of the service?

In addition, ONLY if the problem returns back, you may want to try:

Avast main GUI → settings → troubleshooting → “load avast service only after other system services”. Save the changes. Reset the service to what it is supposed to be in the start up type, save and reboot. Test if this solves the problem.

If you find any problems, let us know so avast developers could try to narrow down the source of it.

5

Can you give us some information about your system OS? You mentioned that you updated to SP3, so I’m assuming you have XP. How much RAM do you have?

We have seen people run the MS/Windows Updates then for some reason additional updates show up or the updates didn’t take. You may want to see if you have any other updates needed for MS/Windows and if so install them then reboot your machine.

In addition to the other suggestions made here in the posts, what do you have under Avast Settings > Updates > Update Parameters? How do you connect to the Internet?

Also make sure your firewall is not blocking anything for Avast to run properly. What are you using for a firewall?

Let us know how this goes. Thanks.

6

I booted my computer this morning, and the avast service failed to start.

Avast main GUI -> settings -> troubleshooting -> "load avast service only after other system services". Save the changes. Reset the service to what it is supposed to be in the start up type, save and reboot. Test if this solves the problem.

After trying this, my avast service is back in “Starting” mode, but not “Started”.

How much RAM do you have?

2Gb

We have seen people run the MS/Windows Updates then for some reason additional updates show up or the updates didn't take. You may want to see if you have any other updates needed for MS/Windows and if so install them then reboot your machine.

No updates available.

In addition to the other suggestions made here in the posts, what do you have under Avast Settings > Updates > Update Parameters? How do you connect to the Internet?

Wireless DSL modem. Update parameters: Both boxes (I only connect to the internet using a dialup modem, My computer is permanently connected to the internet) are unchecked.

Also make sure your firewall is not blocking anything for Avast to run properly. What are you using for a firewall?

Windows firewall. I disabled it and it made no difference.

7

I understand your post, but I don’t know why the starting mode is not working, specially if you double checked that the service is set correctly AND that avast service is supposed to be delayed. Maybe you should wait a little bit longer after the reboot so to be able to see the service working?

Do you use any “startup manager” or similar tool to edit the startup items? For example, CCleaner includes such feature (CCleaner → Tools → Startup). If you use such type of tool (including MSConfig as an example), could you review the items? (It may help us a screenshot too.)

8

Seems like I am having similar problems with avast not starting, I resubscribed in december last year as i was very happy with avast for the last three years on my pc’ os windows xp
I was having problems with slow performance and did a system restore and when restarted i noticed the red cross over the avast icon, on the avast controll panel has system unprotected message displayed with the button fix now that has no effect, I also tried the start program button to no effect, otherwise the pc seems to be operating ok, it just seems to be struggling with any thing avast related, I had to use the cellphone to validate my log on to this forum, any comments suggestions or soloutions will be appreciated

9

Repair avast!:

  1. Control Panel → Add/Remove programs → avast!
  2. Scroll down and click on ‘Repair’.
  3. Follow instructions.
  4. Reboot.
10
Maybe you should wait a little bit longer after the reboot so to be able to see the service working?

Computer was running for over three hours with the service still “Starting”. When I boot, about half the time it hangs on “Starting”, and half the time it completely fails to start.

Do you use any "startup manager" or similar tool to edit the startup items?

Only msconfig. Do you want the services, or the startup programs? The startup programs are attached in the picture.

11

(I hope no one starts now adding irrelevant comments about some “optional” items in your attached picture, as they are not the main issue here; at least for now.)

In your picture, I don’t see the line regarding avast service startup. I don’t know if it is not there at all, or if it was unintentionally “trimmed” from the screenshot, or I’m simply missing it. Please confirm if it is there at all, and add a new screenshot where we’ll be able to see it.

12

By “start up”, I wasn’t sure if you meant programs or services. Attached is the picture of the services.

13

This only shows a few of the items…

14

I will say now something that MAY sound strange for some users, but anyway, please don’t panic (as there is nothing to panic about).

Are you sure you downloaded a legitimate avast installation? Are you sure the setup and the installation wasn’t (or got) corrupted?

Please confirm / double check, which exact edition of avast (Free / Pro / AIS) and which exact version are you using? (The current latest stable is v6.0.1367.)

The reason I have my doubts about the installation package (or the installation result) is because the content of your screenshots are not EXACTLY what are supposed to be. In the first one, avast should be there, listed, active and running. In the second one, “Avast software” should clearly be listed as manufacturer and the status should be “Running”.

If the only strange thing would be the status, I would suspect of some kind of incompatibility or some other problem. But since other very typical data is also failing in some way or another, I can’t just simply skip over my doubts.

So, if you can double check the exact data of OS (including version, 32/64bits, SP) and exact avast edition and version, it may help us find why those differences are there.

Have you downloaded the latest stable version of avast from the original website?

Please report back.

15

I was under the impression that what was requested was to see my Avast entry. Let me know if you want to see everything.

Are you sure you downloaded a legitimate avast installation? Are you sure the setup and the installation wasn't (or got) corrupted?

I originally downloaded the program from Cnet (this is where the link on the avast site takes me). I deleted the exe I originally installed and redownloaded it. This made no difference: Service still can’t start, the entries in msconfig are identical to the pictures I posted before.

The version of avast I have is the free version, 6.0.1367.
System: Microsoft Windows XP, Professional, Version 2002, Service Pack 3, 32 bit.

16

Did you run the removal utility for avast before reinstalling the last time? I would:

1_ Uninstall.
2_ Removal utility several times, for each version that was ever installed / updated in your system, whit reboots in between, always to Windows Safe Mode http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility.
3_ Reinstall using the latest stable version and reboot.
4_ Update definitions if possible (just wait 10 minutes after reboot; do not force the update), and then check again for the service status.
5_ Check for the avast driver status (device manager → show all devices → avast driver → properties).

I don’t know why, but my avast service in msconfig shows the full info (including the correct manufacturer), but your screenshot above doesn’t.

If the steps above won’t let avast service to work as normal, then either something won’t let it start, or it is being delayed “too much time”, or there is something “blocking” it (whether some remnant of some older security tool, or some “malware”).

According to your next feedback, we’ll see what to do next if necessary.

17

I always run the utility in safe mode before attempting another install.

I installed Malware Bytes and ran a system scan. It came up with nothing. Same thing with HijackThis. A boot time scan with Avast also detects nothing. I do not think malware is the problem.

Is there a way I can determine a reason for the service not starting? An error log somewhere? So far everything I can find just says “it failed”.

Also, note that avast stopped working when I applied several Microsoft updates. Is there any way I can check the integrity of these updates? I only know of chkdsk, and this reports nothing (other than a couple of sectors that were falsely labeled as allocated).

18
  1. Please download the Event Viewer Tool by Vino Rosso http://images.malwareremoval.com/vino/VEW.exe and save it to your Desktop:
  2. Under ‘Select log to query’, select:
    * System
  3. Under ‘Select type to list’, select:
    [b]* Error
  • Warning[/b]

Then use the ‘Number of events’ as follows:

  1. Click the radio button for ‘Number of events’
    Type 20 in the 1 to 20 box
    Then click the Run button.
    Notepad will open with the output log.

Please post the Output log in your next reply then repeat but select Application.

19

Nifty little program. Don’t think it will help to much, but at least you guys get to see what I see.

20

Is Avast installed on the same drive as windows ?

Vino’s Event Viewer v01c run on Windows XP in English
Report run at 21/01/2012 10:00:31 AM

Note: All dates below are in the format dd/mm/yyyy

'System' Log - error Type

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 3:18:38 PM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7022 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service hung on starting.

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 3:07:13 PM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7031 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 2 time(s). The following corrective action will be taken in 5000 milliseconds: Restart the service.

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 3:07:01 PM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7031 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 1 time(s). The following corrective action will be taken in 5000 milliseconds: Restart the service.

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 11:17:12 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7034 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 5 time(s).

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 11:12:58 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7034 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 4 time(s).

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 11:08:24 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7034 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 3 time(s).

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 11:08:23 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7031 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 2 time(s). The following corrective action will be taken in 5000 milliseconds: Restart the service.

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 11:07:13 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7031 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 1 time(s). The following corrective action will be taken in 5000 milliseconds: Restart the service.

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 11:04:55 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 10005 Source: DCOM
DCOM got error “%1084” attempting to start the service EventSystem with arguments “” in order to run the server: {1BE1F766-5536-11D1-B726-00C04FB926AF}

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 11:04:20 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 10005 Source: DCOM
DCOM got error “%1084” attempting to start the service EventSystem with arguments “” in order to run the server: {1BE1F766-5536-11D1-B726-00C04FB926AF}

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 11:04:16 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 10005 Source: DCOM
DCOM got error “%1084” attempting to start the service StiSvc with arguments “” in order to run the server: {A1F4E726-8CF1-11D1-BF92-0060081ED811}

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 11:04:12 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 10005 Source: DCOM
DCOM got error “%1084” attempting to start the service netman with arguments “” in order to run the server: {BA126AE5-2166-11D1-B1D0-00805FC1270E}

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 10:37:15 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7022 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service hung on starting.

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 8:03:23 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7034 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 3 time(s).

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 8:03:10 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7031 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 2 time(s). The following corrective action will be taken in 5000 milliseconds: Restart the service.

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 8:03:04 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7031 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 1 time(s). The following corrective action will be taken in 5000 milliseconds: Restart the service.

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 20/01/2012 8:03:03 AM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7022 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service hung on starting.

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 19/01/2012 7:32:12 PM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7034 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 3 time(s).

Is Avast on the same drive as windows ?

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 19/01/2012 7:32:03 PM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7031 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 2 time(s). The following corrective action will be taken in 5000 milliseconds: Restart the service.

Log: ‘System’ Date/Time: 19/01/2012 7:31:57 PM
Type: error Category: 0
Event: 7031 Source: Service Control Manager
The avast! Antivirus service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 1 time(s). The following corrective action will be taken in 5000 milliseconds: Restart the service.