avastsetup.exe stuck in windows task manager - won't update

[trm2]

I’ve had this problem before - the avastsetup.exe that runs for a few moments while it updates does not end and instead keeps running in task manager. I can’t end the process - operation could not be completed - access denied. In the past I have had to uninstall and re-install which is a pain. I think maybe if I could stop the process, it might be okay - I don’t know.

Avast runs fine while this is happening - it just can’t update.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[DavidR]

There is no avastsetup.exe in avast, so I presume you mean avast.setup ?

What is your firewall ?
Does it allow avast.setup internet access ?

• If it does delete the entry for it and do a manual update, this should force the firewall to ask permission again.

Looks like you are bumping into the avast self-defence module, which you need to disable to be able to end avast processes. Use the avast Program Settings, Troubleshooting section and disable from there, don’t forget to enable when done.

[system]

It’s problem of first run of Avast after installing, because in this case avast.setup run by system, and you can’t see status of update and can’t stop that process. All you can do, check your internet connection and set proxy settings, if you connect to internet via proxy. After that just to wait. For me it takes about 3 hours.

[system]

Go into Avast setup. Disable autoprotect, then kill Avast.

THEN manually download the update, manually run it, and then reboot.

That works, but everyone on the avast team should be impaled on rusty girders, imho…

[trm2]

@DavidR post:2

There is no avastsetup.exe in avast, so I presume you mean avast.setup ?

What is your firewall ?
Does it allow avast.setup internet access ?

• If it does delete the entry for it and do a manual update, this should force the firewall to ask permission again.

Looks like you are bumping into the avast self-defence module, which you need to disable to be able to end avast processes. Use the avast Program Settings, Troubleshooting section and disable from there, don’t forget to enable when done.

Thank you. I disabled the self defense and that allowed me to kill avast.setup which immediately freed the update and it was working again (until next time - but now I know what to do). I don’t think it is my firewall - I am just using Windows Xp firewall with a very good secure router which has never given me any problems. Not sure what causes it - but you are right - it seems to happen more after a program update I believe.

Now another question - I think related - my Virus Recovery database icon has disappeared. I know that there used to be a setting somewhere (darn if I can find it now) about starting it and also combining the two tray icons, but I am stumped. Checked avast program settings but not there. Again, it was there before this last program update.

Thanks again and to all who replied in a very short manner.

[system]

@SickNick post:4

Go into Avast setup. Disable autoprotect, then kill Avast.

THEN manually download the update, manually run it, and then reboot.

That works, but everyone on the avast team should be impaled on rusty girders, imho…

You need to learn tolerance mate!

[system]

@SickNick post:4

Go into Avast setup. Disable autoprotect, then kill Avast.

THEN manually download the update, manually run it, and then reboot.

That works, but everyone on the avast team should be impaled on rusty girders, imho…

why rusty… ??? nah, clean (but sharp) girders should do the job ROFL :D… living up to your username sicknick ;D
…how about crucifixions ? :

[DavidR]

@trm2 post:5

Thank you. I disabled the self defense and that allowed me to kill avast.setup which immediately freed the update and it was working again (until next time - but now I know what to do). I don't think it is my firewall - I am just using Windows Xp firewall with a very good secure router which has never given me any problems. Not sure what causes it - but you are right - it seems to happen more after a program update I believe.

You’re welcome.
Whilst the XP Firewall has Zero outbound checking/protection, I don’t know if a good secure router (whatever that is) has outbound protection as most don’t. If however it does then it is possible that the router is blocking it, I don’t know what settings your has to allow functions if indeed it can block.

@trm2 post:5

Now another question - I think related - my Virus Recovery database icon has disappeared. I know that there used to be a setting somewhere (darn if I can find it now) about starting it and also combining the two tray icons, but I am stumped. Checked avast program settings but not there. Again, it was there before this last program update.

Thanks again and to all who replied in a very short manner.

Check that it isn’t merged with the main avast ‘a’ icon, right click on the ‘a’ icon, select VRDB (if present), and see if Split to two icons options is there, see image.

If not and there is no ‘i’ icon:

• Missing VRDB ‘i’ icon, using notepad, edit the C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\avast4.ini file, [VRDB] section, adding the following line, ShowTaskbarIcon=1 save the changes, the avast self-defence module will ask for confirmation, answer Yes and exit.

[VRDB] MergeIcons=0 Disabled=0 ShowTaskbarIcon=1

[trm2]

@DavidR post:8

You’re welcome.
Whilst the XP Firewall has Zero outbound checking/protection, I don’t know if a good secure router (whatever that is) has outbound protection as most don’t. If however it does then it is possible that the router is blocking it, I don’t know what settings your has to allow functions if indeed it can block.

Yes, it only blocks outside - ‘Uses NAT and SPI firewall to protect network from outside intrusions by hackers’ - there are no settings to block outgoing addresses. At least the virus scanner it is working now.

@trm2 post:5

Now another question - I think related - my Virus Recovery database icon has disappeared. I know that there used to be a setting somewhere (darn if I can find it now) about starting it and also combining the two tray icons, but I am stumped. Checked avast program settings but not there. Again, it was there before this last program update.

@DavidR post:8

Check that it isn’t merged with the main avast ‘a’ icon, right click on the ‘a’ icon, select VRDB (if present), and see if Split to two icons options is there, see image.

If not and there is no ‘i’ icon:

• Missing VRDB ‘i’ icon, using notepad, edit the C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\avast4.ini file, [VRDB] section, adding the following line, ShowTaskbarIcon=1 save the changes, the avast self-defence module will ask for confirmation, answer Yes and exit.

[VRDB] MergeIcons=0 Disabled=0 ShowTaskbarIcon=1

Yep. The icon was missing. Now it’s back. I think (at least this time) it was that mess with the virus update. Practically crippled my system the other day with all the false positives. I paused the standard shield and disabled the automatic update until they fixed it the next morning. After that I let it update - no more virus notices, but it got stuck in update mode after updating the program files as well and rebooting. That is when I noticed the icon was gone.

Thank you again.

[DavidR]

You’re welcome.

So it looks like your good secure router (sorry couldn’t help myself) and XP firewall have a gap in security.

Whilst the windows XP firewall (and your router) is usually good at keeping your ports stealthed (hidden) it provides no outbound protection and you should consider a third party firewall.

Any malware that manages to get past your defences will have free reign to connect to the internet to either download more of the same, pass your personal data (sensitive or otherwise, user names, passwords, keylogger retrieved data, etc.) or open a backdoor to your computer, so outbound protection is essential.

[trm2]

@DavidR post:10

You’re welcome.

So it looks like your good secure router (sorry couldn’t help myself) and XP firewall have a gap in security.

Whilst the windows XP firewall (and your router) is usually good at keeping your ports stealthed (hidden) it provides no outbound protection and you should consider a third party firewall.

Any malware that manages to get past your defences will have free reign to connect to the internet to either download more of the same, pass your personal data (sensitive or otherwise, user names, passwords, keylogger retrieved data, etc.) or open a backdoor to your computer, so outbound protection is essential.

hehe… well, at least I know it wasn’t the firewall blocking avast outgoing