Can't uninstall/re-install Avast! Antivirus, tried everything! [HELP]

Avast Antivirus Pro 4.7 was installed first to this computer. Then it was removed via “add/remove programs”. Later Avast Antivirus Home Free edition 4.8 was installed to the same computer, but the installation was unsuccesfull. I assume there is problems with the earlier version and some kind of conflicts in the register.

Now I cant uninstall Avast, I cant re-install pro or home free, I cant remove files from register. I tried to remove it with add/remove programs & “aswclear” & “ccleaner” but no results.

aswUpdSv.exe is running all the time and cannot be terminated.
lots of .dll problems is occured.

Here is part of the setup log:

30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: Started: 30.08.2008, 12:20:47
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: Running setup_av_pro-4cd (1229)
30.08.2008 12:20:47 system: Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 3.0 [Service Pack 3]
30.08.2008 12:20:47 system: Memory: 25% load. Phys:1565040/2096300K free, Page:3596264/4034124K free, Virt:2068788/2097024K free
30.08.2008 12:20:47 system: Computer WinName: O-5DB72B9F234E4
30.08.2008 12:20:47 system: Windows Net User: O-5DB72B9F234E4\O
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: Cmdline: /sfx /sfxstorage “C:\DOCUME~1\O\LOCALS~1\Temp_av_sfx.tm~a03444” /srcpath “C:\DOCUME~1\O\TYPYT~1” /sfxname “”
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: DldSrc set to sfx
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: Old version: 4cd (1229)
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: Install check: ‘C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Aavm4h.dll’ does NOT exist
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 0
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: Ignoring cmdline switch: /sfxname
30.08.2008 12:20:47 registry: Get registry: Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Version=7.0.5730.13
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: Operation set to INST_OP_INSTALL
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: GUID: b2fe4939-e038-495b-8751-1ee06eca8f1b
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: SelectCurrent: selected server ‘tmp sfx storage’ from ‘sfx’
30.08.2008 12:20:47 internet: SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
30.08.2008 12:20:47 internet: SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: Entered SetupProcessPro::Do( INST_OP_INSTALL )
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: Entered SetupProcessWin32Avast::Do( INST_OP_INSTALL )
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: Entered SetupProcessWin32::Do( INST_OP_INSTALL )
30.08.2008 12:20:47 general: Entered SetupProcess::Do( INST_OP_INSTALL )
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadProductVpu: C:\DOCUME~1\O\LOCALS~1\Temp_av_sfx.tm~a03444\prod-av_pro.vpu
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPartInfo: jrog = jrog-49 returned 00000000
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPartInfo: news = news-4b returned 00000000
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPartInfo: program = prg_av_pro-4cd returned 00000000
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPartInfo: setup = setup_av_pro-4cd returned 00000000
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPartInfo: vps = vps-8082600 returned 00000000
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadProductVpu: C:\DOCUME~1\O\LOCALS~1\Temp_av_sfx.tm~a03444\prod-av_pro.vpu ended with 00000000
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: Part prg_av_pro-4cd was set to be installed
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: Part vps-8082600 was set to be installed
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: Part news-4b was set to be installed
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: Part setup_av_pro-4cd was set to be installed
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: Part jrog-49 was set to be installed
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_hlp413’, 2 subversions

[…]

30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_hlp414’, 2 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘winsys’, 3 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_hlp415’, 2 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_dll804’, 20 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_hlp416’, 2 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_dll40A’, 33 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_hlp418’, 2 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_hlp419’, 2 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_dll41a’, 11 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_dll41b’, 37 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_dll41d’, 17 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_dll41f’, 30 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_hlp40b’, 2 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_hlp816’, 2 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_hlp40c’, 2 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_dll43e’, 21 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_hlp40e’, 2 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_dll81a’, 29 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_dll410’, 37 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_dll411’, 39 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_hlp42f’, 2 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_dll412’, 23 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_core’, 8 subversions
30.08.2008 12:21:06 package: LoadPackageInfo: loaded ‘av_pro_dll413’, 37 subversions

[…]

Is there anything to do?

Can you boot in Safe Mode and uninstall avast from there?
1st through Control Panel.
2nd using aswClear

I have tried that…

aswClear says:

"The avast self production mode is enabled. For this reason, the operation cannot be completed. To complete the operation, either run this program from Windows Safe Mode, or disable avast! self protection (via settings → Troubleshooting page). "

Tried safe mode and normal mode with aswClear: it didint work. And also control panel won’t do anything in safe or in normal mode. I cant disable self protection because cant enter in any settings, cant even see the whole program…

Can you run ashdisp.exe from the avast folder?

No, I can not. It says “Aavm4h.dll is missing… and try to re-install…” and Re-installing is out of the question.

I´ve also cleaned the register with numerous apps such as regseeker, cclreaner, easycleaner, windowscare… Avast need to be reinstalled, which is impossible atm. The pro-version wont even start and the personal will fail because of errors. Also uninstalling can not be done because of self protection or something else and I can’t do anything about it… this is like an endless loop… format c: ?

try these
http://www.pchell.com/support/multiple_antivirus_in_security_center.shtml

and
Using the AntiVir Registry Cleaner-- put check marks next to any hits and remove

If for some reason the normal uninstall does not work, you may have to download AntiVir’s registry cleaner utility to remove all traces of it from the registry and allow you to reinstall it.

  1. Click on the following link and download the AntiVir Registry Cleaner to your desktop

http://dl.antivir.de/down/windows/registrycleaner.zip

  1. Create a folder on your desktop called Antivir and Unzip the file to your desktop

  2. Double-click on the file called RegCleaner.exe to run it

  3. Since the program is German, you’ll have to click on the button called “keys asulesen” to search the registry for any issues. Then place checkmarks next to the registry entries you wish to delete.

  4. Finally, click on the button called “loschen” to delete the keys

  5. Restart your computer and try to reinstall your antivirus

there is also a link at the bottom of the page for avast but I think you have done that

Thank u for the help.

I did the thing instructed here → http://www.pchell.com/support/multiple_antivirus_in_security_center.shtml ← but I’m not sure the case is about multiple antivirus programs… Now the security center have blank on antivirus but anything else has not changed. Still cant remove/install avast by any means.

I also installed the RegCleaner and it did in actual fact find the keys (6) about avast antivirus, BUT when I chose them and clicked “löschen” it says: “Fehler beim Löschen eines oder mehrerer Keys” (what ever that means) and they are not deleted.

I begin to get hopeless about this matter… :-\

The self-defense modules are not loaded in Safe mode… are you sure you booted info safe mode to use aswClear?

Maybe using Unlocker (http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/) and choosing to delete the files on next boot…

The self-defense modules are not loaded in Safe mode... are you sure you booted info safe mode to use aswClear?

I’m positive. I chose the safe boot from msconfig and tried it many many times. I get the same error about protection…

Please, boot pressing the F8 key and choose Safe Mode from there.

Please, boot pressing the F8 key and choose Safe Mode from there.

Done that too, I think its now about the aswUpdSv.exe, which I cant terminate. It is running also in safe mode!

Maybe using Unlocker (http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/) and choosing to delete the files on next boot...

The process aswUpdSv.exe is locking, and cannot be stopped/removed.

I managed to close avast! iAVS4 Control Service which provides updates (aswUpdSv.exe) from my computer (right click) and manage / serv. & apps / services. Still cant uninstall/remove anything nor re-install antivirus.

I got this new error: “Setup selfextract - An error 3 (00000003) has occured. Last performed operation was: spawning”

EDIT: I got it. After some adjustements safe mode worked finally with the avast cleaner and everything seems to be fine. Thank u all for the assistance :slight_smile:

my avast was not taking updates-automatically and manually. i tried to uninstall it but could not. then i looked for solutions and used aswUpdSv.exe for successful uninstallation. but then when i again tried to download it and install it is showing error. Plz help me to install it

You could try using Total Uninstall 4 from www.martau.com. It has managed to successfully uninstall failed uninstalls for me on several occasions. If you decide to try it, you will need to use the installed applications module, not the monitored applications module (see screenshot).

It would be better start a new thread only for your specific problem.

Try downloading Revo uninstaller. Then use that instead of going thru control pane.

@ Zoro2435,

I’m sorry, but that is not the correct way to uninstall Avast per the vendor’s instructions. Avast does NOT recommend a third-party uninstaller, nor do many security programs, and this is how many people mess up their uninstallations and remnants are left behind.

The correct way to uninstall Avast is:

  • Download the Avast Uninstall Utility, aswClear5.exe http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility and save it to your HDD (it has uninstall tools for all Avast products).
  • Disconnect from the Internet at this time.
  • Go to Control Panel and uninstall Avast through Add/Remove Programs if possible and reboot.
  • If the above fails, boot into Safe Mode (hit F8 repeatedly) and run the Avast Uninstall Tool.
  • Reboot.