AvastEmUpdate not listed in Scheduled Tasks

system · 2014-02-24T19:22:19.000Z

Hi,

I have a few minor problems with my Avast 2014 Free running on a Windows 7 Home Premium desktop.

The basic program is working but automatic updating only gets streamed updates so I have to download and install the virus defininitions folder manually, the email scanner (both for incoming and outgoing) causes errors in any email client I care to use until I disable the scanner and the Rescue Disk iso file creation facility does not work. All these have been reported to Avast Support and on this forum but so far all suggestions have failed to resolve the issues. I am expecting more feedback from Avast Support as I have submitted requested log files etc.

I am resigned to living with the issues for the moment and as the main functions of Avast 2014 appear to be working correctly, I am not unduly worried. However, I have noticed an additional anomaly which is that AvastEmUpdate does not appear in the list of scheduled tasks for startup. The executable file is listed in the Avast folder in Program Files so is not missing altogether. I realize that AvastEmUpdate is nothing to do with automatic updating of virus definitions but wonder if there is a background problem on my system which is common to all the Avast issues I am experiencing - I have ruled out the firewall as experiements with it disabled make no difference. (I have an XP Pro desktop also running Avast 2014 Free and the same firewall (Comodo) which has none of the issues experienced on the Windows 7 system).

I would be grateful for any comments and advice. Thank you.

DavidR · 2014-02-24T21:30:51.000Z

How are you looking for this Scheduled Task as I believe it is a hidden task - See image of my WinPatrol Plus, which shows AvastEmUpdate.exe scheduled to run twice a day.

Check your comodo firewall and ensure that it allows avastSvc.exe, if there is an entry for it and it is allowed, delete the entry for it and reconnect to the internet. Comodo should ask permission again. For updates to work the firewall also need to allow instup.exe which handles installation and updates.

Disabling security based applications may still have drivers running and this could have an adverse/unexpected effect.

system · 2014-02-25T10:53:54.000Z

Thanks David. I checked for AvastEmUpdate.exe in CCleaner under the ‘Scheduled Tasks’ tab the the ‘Tools’>‘Startup’ section. Regarding the Comodo Firewall: I find it has not the most intuitive of user interfaces and so I am still learning how to delve beyond the basic usage. I will investigate what you suggest - I have manually added AvastEmUpdate.exe and instup.exe to the Comodo allowed programs list as they were not listed there before.

I wonder, perhaps, if Comodo is the problem, whether I should completely uninstall it and re-enable the Windows Firewall in the short term to see if Avast then works as it should. I could then reinstall Comodo from scratch and hope that I set it up correctly.

DavidR · 2014-02-25T16:34:16.000Z

You’re welcome.

If you find that comodo hasn’t the most intuitive of user interfaces, you will hate the windows firewall. The win7 firewall has outbound protection disabled by default, even when enabled, it is rules based and you have to create the rules.

I don’t know if Comodo firewall has a learning mode (I have never used comodo), if so and you can find it, it might be worth running it in learning mode for a short time.

system · 2014-02-25T19:35:25.000Z

Hi David,

I have uninstalled both Avast and Comodo, re-enabled Windows Firewall (probably as a temporary measure) and reinstalled Avast. I am pleased to say that Avast is now working completely normally. I still cannot see AvastEmUpdate.exe listed by CCleaner but it did run during the installation process so I guess, as you suggested it is hidden. I’m happy that email scanning and Rescue Disk iso file are both working.

Thanks for your patience. By the way, what software firewall do you use?

Best regards, Kes.

DavidR · 2014-02-25T20:42:51.000Z

No problem glad I could help - thanks for the update.

I use a paid for stand alone firewall, which I have been using even longer than avast and I have been using avast for almost ten years. It is Agnitum’s Outpost Firewall Pro, whist it is an annual renewal, there are many offers to convert to a lifetime license. I did that many years ago for the price of an annual renewal.

system · 2014-02-26T08:41:58.000Z

Hi David,

Thanks for the information. I used the Agnitum Outpost free firewall on my XP desktop until switching to Comodo. That had the learning mode that you have previously mentioned - I cannot find anything similar in Comodo though.

It has been pleasant and useful talking with you and reassuring to know that there are people like you out there and willing to spend time in helping the likes of me.

Regards, Kes.

system · 2014-02-28T09:03:57.000Z

The issues are now resolved following the following actions:

I uninstalled Comodo including Comodo Dragon and Geek Buddy using Revo Uninstaller set at the highest level;
I re-enabled Windows Firewall temporarily;
I uninstalled Avast via the Windows uninstall facility and then ran AvastClear with the computer in Safe Mode;
I ran Rejzor’s Avast Cleanup Tool;
I undertook a fresh installation of Avast 2014 opting not to add Google Chrome;
After running a quick scan, I checked the previously non-working aspects of Avast and found that they now worked correctly (automatic updates, creating a rescue disk iso file and email scanning);
I created a system drive backup image file so that I could return to the current working situation should problems return after the next step;
I undertook a fresh installation of Comodo Firewall (free) but excluding Comodo Dragon and Geek Buddy;
I carried out the Avast checks once more and found everything was still working normally.

I suspect that, actually, Comodo had nothing to do with the original problems in Avast but rather an earlier re-installation of Avast had been compromised by Avast residue not removed previous repairs and uninstallations. Although I have always used AvastClear when undertaking unstallation/reinstallation of Avast, I had not used Rejzor’s Avast cleanup tool before. I saw it mentioned in various threads in this forum so decided to try it. Whatever the reason, my Avast issues are now sorted and therefore resolved.

DavidR · 2014-02-28T11:39:05.000Z

Thanks for taking the time to report your findings.

system · 2014-03-01T04:41:03.000Z

Kesetyan post:7:

Hi David,

That had the learning mode that you have previously mentioned - I cannot find anything similar in Comodo though.

Its called ‘Training mode’ in Comodo, right click on the tray icon ->go to firewall->click training mode.

system · 2014-03-01T08:08:16.000Z

Hi bioxx750,

Thanks for the information. I should have found ‘Training Mode’ quite easily but was somewhat preoccupied with Avast issues I didn’t delve enough elsewhere.

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