Avast won't work

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hi - hope this is going into the right place!

Yesterday my PC picked up some malware (Windows Security Suite). I tried to run my AVG software to see if it would pick it up - but it wouldn’t run. No error message, just nothing.

So I ran Spy Hunter 3 which did pick up and remove the malware.

After my experience with AVG I decided to install avast anti virus instead which I did with no problem at all, however - now this won’t open either! Again no error message just nothing happens if I double click the desk top icon or if I try to get into it through the start menu.

I opened Windows Task manager to see what was going on and occasionally Sysfader pops up very briefly as I click on avast Antivirus from ‘All Programs’ before disappearing once more.

There is also no avast icon on the toolbar - not even hidden.

I have a Dell Dimension 3000 PC running Windows XP.

Anyone any ideas???

2

Hello confused32,

welcome to the forum,

do not install and run multiple security products at a time.

get hijack this from here : http://www.filehippo.com/download_hijackthis/download/8571e06e5eb8ab03c649f3b5d647c599/

and run. post the log here.

3

Did you first uninstall AVG before installing avast ?

If not uninstall it, reboot and see if avast is now running. If not there is a possibility you have a piece of malware that kills security applications.

  • What avast processes are running in Task Manager, they begin with ash or asw, see image ?
4

Yes - I did uninstall AVG fisrt using the add/remove programs which took me to the AVG uninstaller.

Had a look in processes, none of them start ash or asw.

5

Hi nmb,

Can’t post the log as it exceeds maximum allowed length of post

6

attach the file (while posting click advanced options)

browse for the folder

edit: or post the log by using 2 or more posts.

7

Attached

8

hey confused32

problems:

  1. your hosts file is infected.
  2. avg is not properly uninstalled(security tool bar).
  3. you have symantec left overs.
    4.unknown malicious entries.

sol’n :

  1. install and run this tool from ms(edit:this is a tool to fix the hosts file.): http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9668866 if it doesnt work then,

To reset the hosts file back to the default, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, click Run, type %systemroot% \system32\drivers\etc, and then click OK.

    Note If you are using 64 bit version of Windows, type %systemroot% \SysWOW64\drivers\etc.

  2. Rename the hosts file to hosts.bak.

  3. Create the new default hosts file. To do this, follow these steps:

    1. Right-click an open space in the %WinDir%\system32\drivers\etc folder, point to New, click Text Document, type hosts, and then press ENTER.
    2. Click Yes to confirm that the file name extension will not be txt.
    3. Open the new created hosts file in a text editor, for example, in the Notepad.
    4. Copy the following text to the file:

Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.

This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.

This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each

entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should

be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.

The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one

space.

Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual

lines or following the machine name denoted by a ‘#’ symbol.

For example:

102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server

38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost

5.Save and close the file.

2.get the avg uninstall tool, select the appropriate one : 32bit http://www.avg.com/filedir/util/avg_arm_sup_____.dir/avgremover.exe
64bit :http://www.avg.com/filedir/util/avg_arv_sup_____.dir/avgremoverx64.exe

  1. remove symantec using the tool(select the right one): http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

  2. get malwarebytes antimalware(mbam) from here : malwarebytes.org(free version), update, perform full scan, post log here.

that should do.

9

Probably a very basic question… but how can I tell if I am running a 64bit version of windows?

10

If you have Windows XP, the method to determine whether you are running a 32-bit or a 64-bit version is
View System Properties in Control Panel

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. Type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
  3. Click the General tab. The operating system is displayed as follows:
    * For a 64-bit version operating system: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Version < Year> appears under System.
    * For a 32-bit version operating system: Windows XP Professional Version appears under System.
    Note is a placeholder for a year.
11

Well…

I am being really cautious here but that all seemed to work!

Malware bytes anti-malware picked up over 200 threats (including the Windows Security Suite that Spyhunter got rid of yesterday). I have attached the log.

A huge thank you for all your help - hopefully it is sorted now. Fingers crossed!

12

I would get rid of Spyhunter as its not very good.

13

hope you have disinfected all the threats found by mbam.
you are welcome.

come back if you have any problems.