Cannot run Avast Antivirus manuallly

Hey,

These couple of few last days I haven’t been able to manually start Avast Antivirus properly, after the Antivirus has checked my memory it gives me this error message:

“Skin is not complete. Look at the following description: Skin is not loaded properly.”

After which it gives me an optionlist with 2 different skins. Choosing either of them just loops the same error message.

What to do?

I have win vista 32 as my OS.

Do you use MBAM? Did you send any avast file to MBAM Quarantine?
Do you use any other antivirus in your computer?

Can you try to repair your installation?
Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > avast! antivirus > Remove. Then choose Repair function in the popup window (Repair).
If this does not help, can you uninstall / boot / install / boot again?

I don’t know what MBAM is so I do not know about that…

I have Iobit Security 360 & Advanced System Care, if those count. Also Windows’ own security things are always on.

Repairing didn’t work.

MBAM: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Other Iobit Security 360 reported that it messed avast installation.
Maybe trying to disable it and install avast again.

No problems here with installing avast! 5 while IObit 360 was running. (Windows 7)

Wasn’t sure if I should start a new topic, as I am having the same error, which I call the “Skins Error”. If a new topic/subject needs to be started, lmk.

I have had the same problem on 3 different pcs (my desktop, my laptop and a spare laptop that I started up after finding both my machines infected).
When Avast starts up it does a memory scan and then pops up the same error box listed by Elohim83. After clicking ok it then pops up another box that states “choose skin” with options of selecting different skins, downloading new skins and “choose random skin on application startup” which none fix. I went to the website and downloaded ALL the skins available and still get the same error.

I have also noted that all three pcs have recently been scanned with MalWare-Bytes and it has detected “worm.agent” infected in the system restore files on one but do not recall where it was on the other two: all infected files have been removed. I am running a 3rd scan on my laptop, as the 2nd scan found a couple more system restore files infected with the same worm, which confirms my machine is still infected. I also suspect I have an infected thumb drive (or more than one), which is probably how so many machines are infected.
The other two pcs have been set aside while I search for the solution on the first laptop and all of them have been disconnected from the internet so they don’t download more malware.
I also run Spybot Search & Destroy and Combo fix on all.

I downloaded a new Avast setup file, reinstalled the program, updated it and still get the same error. After getting the error I am unable to start Avast or get automatic updates.

Also, Avast is not detecting any problems and is completing it’s scan without any difficulties.

I used Malware-Bytes on the first machine (my desktop), which usually takes a little over an hour to scan both drives; I shut the machine off after 4.5 hours. Malware-Bytes was the only program running on the 3.2ghz machine… I did not see any suspicious files running in task mamager but did not run Hijackthis.

I have also ran Combo fix on all three machines and can go back and access logs if needed, as I do recall it removing some items in “recycler”.

Also, all three machines are running Win XP Pro with 2gb of ram in both laptops; the desktop has 4gb of ram…

I by no means claim to be an expert but I do run Hijackthis and Combo fix on a regular basis without screwing up my computers…

Any help or suggestions would be great; TIA.

Welcome Admiralbutthead

Its best to start you own topic as it becomes confusing for the helpers and the helped as to what is going on.

Using HijackThis and especially Combofix without expert help could leave you system inoperative.

The XP Pro system has what Service Packs installed?

Hey YoKenny,

Thanks

All computers are running SP3 with all the updates available. I just scanned my old desktop (the one I am using now) and it seems to be virus free.

btw, I must be blind and the button is right in front of me (my wife tells me that all the time), as I do not see a button to start a new thread…

Back up one level so that you are in:
avast!WEBforum
General Category
General Topics
then over on the right you will see NEW TOPIC.