Computer starts in the 'properties mode'

General Topics
1

Hi…

Whenever I start my computer, and then click (normal left click) on the icons (for example o start Firefox, vlc or anything) they show properties instead of running/executing the program. I wonder why.

There are no viruses- I have scanned the system with Avast.

Also, when I try to uninstall avast completely and re-start the computer, it shows up only a black screen (doesn’t boot at start up).

I also tried to upgrade it to Avast 5, but it again shows the black screen at start up and doesn’t boot.
But I could upgrade it from 4.8.1201 to 4.8.1368.

Please advise/help on how to rectify this problem

2

Check your computer for Malware with

Malwarebytes Antimalware http://filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/
after install click UPDATE and run quick scan, click on REMOVE SELECTED to quarantine anything found

SUPERAntiSpyware http://filehippo.com/download_superantispyware/
Are cookies really spyware and are they dangerous?
http://www.superantispyware.com/supportfaqdisplay.html?faq=26

If anything is found come back and post the scan logs here

3

Not sure is it’s a virus/spyware/malware issue at all. It’s more of a Avast problem. Even if I wanna get rid of Avast by uninstalling, the damn thing won’t let the computer boot. Even restore fails! Hafto be stuck up with Avast or format the computer I guess…that I don’t want!

4
Not sure is it's a virus/spyware/malware issue at all.
That is why you should check so you know it is not.....
5

Ok…will…this weekend. Is the free version workable?

6

what do you mean workable ?..they are free and will remove anything they fiend for free
the only thing not in the free is realtime protection, and that will cost you a one time fee for a lifetime license

www.malwarebytes.org
www.superantispyware.com

7

Ok people…I got around this problem and I thought it would be nice to give the solution to this one:

  1. As mentioned that since I could not update Avast vps in 6 months or even more, this time round, I could manage updating it, thanks to carrying the vps update on my thumb drive. It’s virtually impossible to download PROPERLY on a slow village dial-up connection of 34+ MB update file.

  2. I also had spybot whose definition files also needed to be updated, which I did this time round too.

  3. And after updating, the nagging ‘properties showing up on left-clicking/running a file’ got solved on it’s own.

  4. I then tried to re-install/repair Avast with the same version 1368, but it ONLY asked ‘do you want to uninstall Avast?’
    Good riddance, as last time, even though I could uninstall Avast, then also the computer didn’t boot up and just remained at the black screen.

  5. So, I uninstalled Avast COMPLETELY and installed AVG Free latest.

The computer worked well and faster.

  1. Since AVG also has a anti-spyware, I uninstalled Spybot and ran a disk defrag.

  2. My old computer is now working like a breeze.

  3. My conclusion is that Avast is a good program (I still have it in my city-home computer), but if you are unable to update it regularly, it might give you strange problems from time to time.

Thanks :slight_smile:

8

Oops. Sorry.