Cannot Download Avast 4 Home Edition

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I had Avast 4 Home Edition installed on my computer (XP). Yesterday I got a message about an AA something (can’t remember it all) showing an RPC error. I was able to repair it once. But it wopuldn’t work today and couldn’t be repaired again. I had to uninstall my Avast 4 Home Edition. I thought reinstalling the software would make things better. But when I tried to reinstall it, I got the message that the startup version didn’t exist. Now my PC is totally vulnerable to viruses and I don’t know what to do.

Help!

Lily

2

If it’s not caused by malware, a full re-install from scratch should fix it. (Instructions below).
Another thing that could produce such an error might be the presence of another not-fully-uninstalled AV. Was there/ is there any other AV installed on this machine? (Whether you have uninstalled it or not.)

What other security programs are on this computer, including firewall?

For possible malware issues, try downloading and installing MBAM, update it and run a quick scan. Have it remove everything it finds. If it prompts for a reboot to finish removal, do so promptly.

To fully uninstall Avast, download and run the Avast uninstall utility, reboot, install again from scratch. (Be advised that you should already have the full installer file for Avast saved on the computer, for re-installation offline. You should be offline whenever uninstalling/reinstalling an AV or a firewall.The full installer file is the second download below the words “Free registration” on this page), and is 36.03Mb.)

3

Thank you, Tarq57.

Re: your questions,

The only other AV software that I know of that was ever on the computer was Norton. And that was removed a long time ago when I began using Avast.

As for firewall, I’m not sure. I know there is one installed. But Windows has never recognized it and has always said there was no firewall installed. I’ve had this PC since 2002.

How do you put a computer in "safe mode’?

I got the rest of the Avast 4 out following your instructions. As I was doing the reinstall, I got this message.

"Internet Explorer Security Warning

Windows has found a problem with this file.

Name: setupeng.exe
Publisher: Unknown Publisher

This file was blocked because it does not have a valid digital signature that verifies its publisher."

I clicked to see who the publisher was. It gave the correct publisher (AWIL) but can’t verify it.

Now what?

4

Are you unhooked from internet when you reinstall?
If you download a clean install as Tarq says above, then you can install offline. Then manual update IAVS once when you hook back to the internet should do it.

5

Can you bypass the block and run it anyway? Are you logged on to an administrator account?
(Go to control panel>user accounts check the properties of the account. Generally security software should be installed through an admin account, in my experience.)

Go to the control panel>windows firewall and check that it is turned on.

There is a tool I’ll get you to run later to makke sure Norton is fully removed.

6

mkis, I’m online when I try to reinstall.

tarq, no, the block can’t be bypassed. I’m the administrator. Windows doesn’t recognize my firewall even tho I’ve got onr turned on.

I look forward to the tool.

Ran the malware scan. Found a LOT of things in there. The day before this all happened, avast scanner showed a trojan worm but wouldn’t let me put it in the Chest. I had to delete it right there. I think some of it may’ve slipped in.

This morning, my malware software (downloaded yesterday from the link you gave) doesn’t work. I keep getting “Error Code 703 (0, 17).” So the situation is obviously getting worse. Will a full cleaning do or does it sound like I’ll need a new hard drive? Both of the browsers I use (IE and Firefox) crash every time I log into a website or try to do anything in an application. Both are fine on my other PC.

7

Norton Removal Tool, although I now don’t think that is the reason for your problems. Maybe run it later, if we can get this fixed.

What firewall do you use, then?

Any chance of posting the MBAM scan report? Did you get it to remove what it found?

Try running it again in safe mode. To enter safe mode, reboot the computer, and start tapping the f8 key as soon as the boot commences. In a short while you should hear a short tone with each key press. A half a minute or so later, an options screen will appear. Select “safe mode”.
You may need to uninstall MBAM and reinstall it while in safe mode. I think this can be done.

Download DrWeb cureit with your other computer to a flash drive. (It would also pay to download Flash Disinfector to that computer, follow the directions on that site, especially in regard to the flash drive DrWeb is on, because you will be plugging that drive into an infected computer.
Anyway, once DrWeb is on the flash drive, and it has been “immunized” with the disinfector - which should prevent an autorun entry transferring to it - plug it into the sick computer, and attempt to run the Cureit application directly from the flash drive. This one needs no installing.
If no luck, copy the application to the desktop, remove the flash drive (safely remove hardware icon,first) and see if it will run from the desktop.

Hope this helps. Next steps would probably have to be a rescue disk, unless others have better ideas.

8

I’m new to these forums and joined in desperation, as there seems to be no way to contact Avasti itself, which has really put me off! I have been using the Avasti free download for the past couple of years, no problems. I received a notification about an upgrade to a Professional level. I decided to do so. Silly me! Avasti led me through the process of PAYING the 39.95, then started me on the process of downloading the software. However, after the screen said installation was complete, something called Spyware Doctor appeared. I did what it said, and was then presented with a request for 29.95. Realizing this was something completely different, I exited out. However, I never received any instruction from Avasti to restart my computer and put in my license number for the upgrade, although they did send me the number. Any and all attempts via email or phone to contact them came to a dead end. As far as I can see, I’ve paid 39.95 to some company in Chezkoslovakia (probably not spelled correctly, sorry!) for nothing. If anyone out there has any suggestions, I’d be grateful. I’m obviously not going to get any help from Avasti! Thanks.

9

First, this should be in a new topic on its own as it isn’t related to the original topic.

Second, the company is Alwil Software, the makers of avast and is based in the Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia having long since become two countries). It is a legit company, have you entered the license number that you were sent.

See Insert Registration Key - Video if you don’t know how.

Spyware Doctor is nothing to do with Alwil Software or avast, so that is a coincidence and one that I would reject. I presume that you have spyware doctor installed.

If you need more than this please start your own new topic here, click the new topic button at the top.

10

Thank you, David. I’m not sure what you mean by “should be a new topic”. I followed your suggestions but a) did not get your so-called ‘registration’ page and b) have no idea how to start a new topic. I feel as if I’ve entered some bizarre hitech maze, not you personally, you’re trying to help me. I will call my own personal PC geek tomorrow, pay him to come and sort this out. I will not, however, renew Avasti when it comes due. The lack of customer service for technomorons like me is hopeless. I’ve no idea what this spyware doctor deal is, but either AVasti has an arrangement with them, which I suspect, or they’re illegally piggybacking their product. Either way, it’s a nightmare! I’m a TECHNOMORON! OK? Does that mean I SHOULDN’T use Avasti?

11

By creating your own topic, you are not hijacking someone else’s topic is what I mean when yours is unrelated, e.g. create your own ‘new topic’. Click on the underlined here text in my previous post it is a link to where you can create a new topic.

Alwil have literally in the last week moved into a much bigger Headquarters, so I don’t knoe what the situation with the phone numbers might be. If you can create the new topic then we can help you here and you won’t have to pay for the resident geek.

As I said spyware doctor has nothing to do with Alwil, no deals, nada.

12

It’s not “Avasti”, it’s Avast. (Or Avast!)
(Makes me wonder if perhaps you have the wrong product? Given that a Spyware Dr tried to download also.)

Where did you get your copy of Avast from?

There is no need to upgrade to the professional version (of any free AV, Avast included) unless you choose to, and the only way Avast would have prompted you to do that was if you clicked an upgrade link on the interface.

Avast doesn’t come bundled with anything else, Spyware Doctor included.
The tech support for Avast Home (the free version) is probably among the best of the free AV’s.
You’re at it now.

13

I’m loving this! It’s so completely INSANE!!! Does the word technomoron mean nothing to you? That is what I am! I had a free anti-virus program named Avast or Avasti, who knows at this point. My computer geek installed it for me. Then, I get notices from Avast or Avasti who knows that my time is running out and it would be worth my while to upgrade for 39.95. So, I did! How am I supposed to know this piggyback program Spyware Doctor has nothing to do with Avast or Avasti? I’m a technomoron!! What can I tell you? I would appreciate someone HELPING me, not preaching to me what I should or shouldn’t be doing, or what I should or shouldn’t know. And don’t roll your eyes. It’s me! I bet you’ve never met a real technomoron! Well, you have now!!

14

First step calm down.

Did you pay the $39.95?

If you did then you should have received an email from Cleverbridge that is the payment company avast! uses that is based in Cologne Germany:
http://www.cleverbridge.com

Did you receive an email from Cleverbridge?

15

Well, that was an unexpected response.
Caused me to have a look at my reply again, a bit critically, because I did not intend to be condescending, nor “preachy”.
In all honesty, I don’t think I was.
(If I was, someone please inform me.)
There was no eye rolling (that would be this: ::)) nor preaching, and I apologize if it came across that way. I was actually trying to find out what was at play, by asking where you got your program from. Which is part of the reason I pointed out the correct spelling. It wasn’t to show you up.
So I’m attempting to rule out possible reasons for what happened to you.
It appears clear to me that you don’t know where you got Avast from- someone else installed it- so that’s OK, but the doubt still remains.

Now for the defensive bit.
Folk seem to mainly join forums to get a problem resolved, or to keep abreast of tech developments, or learn more, or help others, etc. It’s clear to me that you have not bothered to click on the “here” link provided by DavidR, nor watch the video. If you had, you’d have questions. And be posting in a new topic. The video plays perfectly. If it didn’t for you, a better result would be achieved by writing what happened (error or connection problem message/blank web page, whatever it was) when you clicked on the link for the registration tutorial.

Occasionally folk join forums to vent, if things aren’t going their way.

You are a self confessed technomoron (your word, not mine.) (And yes, I’ve met plenty, been one, helped quite a few.)
But given that you seem to know (or believe) that about yourself, I would suggest that it would be best to ask for help (in future) before doing something you don’t fully understand, or else get someone who does know to do it or talk you through it. There is information on all sorts of computer topics all over the web, and tutorials, and “FAQ’s” and help files etc. If you choose to be ignorant about the operation of a computer, that is entirely up to you, and there is nothing wrong with that, and nobody here will judge you for it. Not me, anyway. But there is no reason to be ignorant about them unless you choose to be. Information and help abounds.
Plenty of users here are happy to do that (talk you through it), self included, but frankly, if you’re here purely to vent I will oblige you by simply unsubscribing from this topic.

I suggest you set your email address in your profile to “hidden”. (Go to “profile”- see the pic below, then “account related settings”, and tick the box beside “hide email address from public?”.) Publishing an email address on a public forum can lead to unsolicited spam.

16

First off, let me apologize to lilypadrees for barging in on her forum. And thank you guys (DavidR, Tarq57, YoKenny) for your patience. I think I finally figured out a couple of things. Duh!!! I saw the heading Cannot Download Avast 4 Home Edition and thought, wrongly as it turned out, oh, I’m having the same problem! I didn’t realize that, even if I was having the same problem, I needed to start my own thread. I won’t post any more here. I’ll try to figure out how to start my own forum, if anyone is still speaking to me! Secondly, yes I did get confirmation that my payment had been received and also a link to register the product, which didn’t work. My problems started when this piggyback Spyware Doctor popped up at a critical moment, completely confusing me. However, I won’t take up any more of lilypadrees’ forum. I’m a writer and poet, spend my days messing around in the human psyche, do pretty well at it, but face me with technology and I turn into a babbling cretin! (see above). I’m also Irish, which means I’m a bit inclined to go flying off into space! Apologies all round. Let me see if I can figure out how to start my own thread. Slainte!

17

Please, don’t post twice the same. Follow http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=49011.msg413970#msg413970

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Have patience with Moriarty2 as this is his first time here and looks like he figured out how to start a New Topic.

@Moriarty2
Its a bit early for a shot of Irish whiskey for me but Slainte! to you.

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I have…