Avast! - "You are unprotected!" and crashing.

system · 2014-05-06T22:10:20.000Z

After the Avast Pro trial period ran out I was offered the option to re-install the Free version. I Did.

After uninstalling the Pro, I reinstalled the Free vers and it now states “You are unprotected” in a big red banner in the Avast status page. Clicking the “Resolve All” button just hangs. Trying to uninstall is unsuccessful with the message :FATAL ERROR: current avast! installer is not trusted by avast!

I have tried the following tasks to correct this.

Downloading Avastclear.exe and running it from Safemode. Then reinstall Avast full download. Same problem.
Downloading Avastclear.exe and running it from Safemode. Then reinstall Avast Online install. Same problem.
Downloading Avastclear.exe and running it from Safemode. Then reinstall Avast full download AND reg with new name and new email address. Same problem.
uninstalled Malwarebytes and Spybot. Then repeated step 1. Same problem.

Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Rob

Eddy · 2014-05-06T22:29:39.000Z

First make sure there are no remnants of a previously install av other than avast.
http://www.ache.nl > malware > remove (old) av

Download Avastclear, Rejzors uninstall tool and the appropriate Avast program edition.
Here are the installer links. Note: You need to be ONLINE during this install.
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_online.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup_online.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_internet_security_setup_online.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup_online.exe

Avastclear : http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avastclear.exe
Rejzors Uninstall tool: http://rejzor.wordpress.com/avast-cleanup-tool/

Uninstall Avast by control panel [If you don’t have Avast in control Panel go to #4]
Uninstall in Safe Mode using Avastclear.
http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
Run Rejzors Uninstall Utility in Normal Mode (removes traces avastclear doesn’t) - reboot.
http://rejzor.wordpress.com/avast-cleanup-tool/
Be Sure Too Check Once Uninstall is Complete:Device Manager>View>Show Hidden Devices
If there is anything related to Avast with a yellow triangle then uninstall it (highlight, right click) and reboot.
Install the version you downloaded.
Reboot.

offline installers:
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup.exe

system · 2014-05-06T23:37:44.000Z

Eddy,
Thanks for the response. I followed EACH STEP 1 through 7. Nothing changed. Still says " YOU ARE UNPROTECTED!"

Note: Immediately after the initial install it was normal and Avast was running correctly. Only after the reboot does it say “YOU ARE UNPROTECTED!” and now crashes when trying to correct it by clicking the RESOLVE ALL button.

Is there anything else I can try?
Thanks,
Rob

Pondus · 2014-05-06T23:50:01.000Z

attach OTL diagnostic log, then essexboy will take a look tomorrow

instructions here http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

system · 2014-05-07T04:46:31.000Z

Attached are the log files from OTL and aswMBR.

I also did a scan with Malwarebytes(latest ver), nothing found.
I really don’t suspect a virus is the cause. My system is usually very clean.

Thanks,
Rob

Pondus · 2014-05-07T05:31:12.000Z

rb1000 post:5:

Attached are the log files from OTL and aswMBR.

I also did a scan with Malwarebytes(latest ver), nothing found.
I really don’t suspect a virus is the cause. My system is usually very clean.

Thanks,
Rob

as OTL is a diagnostic tool it will show more then just malware problems
Essexboy is notified, he is usually online after work hour european time…

essexboy · 2014-05-07T15:21:54.000Z

The only low level stuff that may interfere, that I can see is MBAM and Soluto. Could you temporarily uninstall both and try again

Eddy · 2014-05-07T16:07:36.000Z

Is it avast or the security/action center that is saying you are unprotected?
If it is just the security/action center, reset it.

system · 2014-05-07T21:30:11.000Z

To Eddy and Essexboy,
First, thanks for your help, I really appreciate it!!

Eddy, as you can see, it’s Avast saying I’m unprotected. And it’s not just that, clicking on various functions of Avast brings up an Avast error message of various types. And… trying to uninstall it from Add/Remove progs brings up the error in the 2nc pic stating Untrusted Installer.

Essexboy, I did a lot of forum searching and reading before ever posting for help. Back up on my first post in this thread, my STEP 4 was to remove Malwarebytes, Spybot and Soluto, then go Safemode, Avastclear, then reboot and reinstall Avast. Same problem as pictured here.

Any other thoughts on how I can solve this?
Thanks,
Rob

Hmmm… I’ve attached pics of screen grabs but they are not showing up in the PREVIEW. Hope they show up in the post.

Pondus · 2014-05-07T21:35:32.000Z

Hmmm... I've attached pics of screen grabs but they are not showing up in the PREVIEW. Hope they show up in the post.

they do. ;)

essexboy · 2014-05-07T21:45:53.000Z

Disable the self defence module and then try

system · 2014-05-07T22:12:43.000Z

I went to Avast → Settings → Troubleshooting → Enable avast! self-defense module. UNchecked this option and clicked OK.

However, going back into settings shows it’s NOT letting me uncheck it. It remains checked.

system · 2014-05-08T00:36:03.000Z

Essexboy, how about blowing Avast away with FarBar FRST, some manual cleanup, and then new/clean install ?
I don’t know why but I’m still wondering if there is Malware on the PC ?
After FRST maybe some checking with MBAM scan ?

Anyway, just some thoughts…

Eddy · 2014-05-08T01:33:06.000Z

Just to make sure, you did use Rejzors Uninstall Utility ?

system · 2014-05-08T01:53:14.000Z

Yes, I did use Rejzors Uninstall Utility ?

I’m thinking of trying a System Restore to back when it was working and changing the clock to match that date. Then uninstall it before the TRIAL runs out. Then re-install.

What do you think about that?
Rob

Eddy · 2014-05-08T02:25:51.000Z

Am I understanding it correctly?
Does your clock not show the correct time/date?

essexboy · 2014-05-08T12:31:31.000Z

That could be an option with regards to restore

system · 2014-05-08T14:06:58.000Z

To Eddy and Essexboy,
Thanks for the help. Greatly appreciate it.

I have resolved the issue… but never REALLY solved the problem. From everything that I’ve went through in the past few days I am most certain Avast has a coding error that needs to be corrected.

Main Issue. (Avast crashes and will not uninstall after a TRIAL version expires)
Something gets corrupted and even installing a license key does not solve it. (I’ve read several other posts on this topic and no one had a solution)

I “resolved” the issue by doing a system restore to a time before the trial expired (changing the system clock to that time also) then inserting a license key to upgrade to a full version. Then updating my clock to the current time. Finally Avast is working and my system is back to normal.

Thanks again for your help,
Regards,
Rob

essexboy · 2014-05-08T14:10:01.000Z

Thanks for the update, a bit convoluted… But, at least it worked

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