I am using the most current version of avast! Home (free version). I also use a commercial genealogy program called “Family Tree Legends” (FTL). Both programs happily coexisted until yesterday evening when avast! moved ftl.exe into its virus chest. I didn’t realize that avast! had done that (my son was using the computer and clicked “Move To Chest”), so I uninstalled FTL and then reinstalled it.
For some reason, avast! thinks that the main executable for the genealogy program, ftl.exe, contains a Trojan called “Win32:Slime” and won’t let me start the program. If I turn off the avast! standard shield provider, then Family Tree Legends starts up with no problem. With the standard shield active I can’t use FTL.
Another curious fact - even though I reinstalled FTL I can’t find its directory on my C:\ drive. The program installs into C:\Program Files\Family Tree Legends, but when I take a directory of “Program Files” I don’t see the FTL directory (and yes I have Windows set to display hidden files). Does avast! somehow hide the FTL directory because it thinks that there is a Trojan in there?? If it does, how can I get to the FTL directory in case I want to send the ftl.exe file for further checking?? I know its there since I can start the program with the standard shield deactivated.
Any help would be appreciated. I want to use the genealogy program, but I certainly don’t want to disable the standard shield to do it.
Please, send us the misdetected file. The preferred way would be packing the file with ZIP or RAR, protected with a password, and sending to virus@avast.com, e.g. with “False alarm” subject.
Thanks.
Thanks - I just emailed a zipped file to the email address specified.
Question - as I stated in my original message I cannot see the “C:\Program Files\Family Tree Legends” directory via Windows Explorer. I was able to find the ftl.exe file by using Windows search so it obviously is there - I got to it by right-clicking the directory in the search results box and telling Windows to open the directory. But why can I NOT see it when I use the normal methods of listing a directory?? Am I just not doing something properly??
Use the search function in windows to find that file and it will give you the full path data. The geneaology programe I use sets itself outside programme file as a subdirectory of C
I KNOW what the full path of the program is. The problem is that I CANNOT SEE the directory in Windows Explorer. Does avast! do anything to the attributes of the directory when it thinks that there is a Trojan or virus inside a particular directory???
It is quite possible that it is trying to hide itself, ensure that the Explorer, Tools, Folder options has ‘Show hidden files and folders’ and try again.
As I stated in my original post Windows IS set to display hidden files and folders. I am really beginning to think that avast! is somehow hiding the folder.
I can think of no valid reason for avast to hid a file from you.
Perhaps there really is a virus on your computer since you say your son was using the computer and it seems you were not. Have you scanned the file while it was in the Chest? ???
Please do not get upset with the other posters. They are only trying to help look for clues … some of which you may have forgotten to include … and even mentioned info already given can sometimes trigger remembering something small which is sometimes the best clue of all.
You have done what Igor suggested in his first post. So, be patient and let them analyze the file. i am sure they will give you a reply soon as possible.
If I came across as being upset I apologize to anyone offended. I didn’t mean to sound upset, but I really thought I was going crazy not being able to find the file. I have been involved with computers since 1979 (ah the good old 8bit days!) and not being able to find a file is embarassing to say the least. Lets just say that I had one of those “senior moments” this afternoon :-[ and again, offer my apologies to anyone offended.
Hopefully the avast! team can get the false positive with the genealogy file straightened out soon.
Yeah, I know how it is to not be able to find a file. I have you by a few years. Having studied computer programming & operation in 1969 - 1970 at college, I also find it an embarassing “senior moment” when one of my nephews or neices shows me something I have forgotten! :-[ Or worse … don’t even know! :-X
Definitely no offence I have been down that frustration route myself, although usually it’s my car keys. Yes I sometimes get infected with the c-nile virus