retain thisApologies if this is old ground but want to get latest feedback.
Installed v4.8 today on a Vista machine-working fine but it’s disabling my Windows Firewall.Is there a simple solution to retain this?
The Avast documentation alludes to a problem but not how you overcome
Thanks
avast doesn’t have a firewall so it isn’t avast that is disabling your firewall.
Can you post what problem the documentation alludes to, because I’m not aware of it, but I have only been using avast for a little over four and a half years ?
http://support.avast.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=25
The Avast knowledgebase above refers to firewall issues.I appreciate thatAvast does not have a firewall hence wanting to retain the Windows one.
Hope this puts it in context.
Thanks
Which is about firewalls disabling (or rather blocking) avast processes that connect to the internet and not avast disabling firewalls.
So it is unrelated to something disabling your Windows Firewall.
What other security software do you have ?
There is some malware that attempts to disable firewalls and anti-virus software, though avast has a self-defence module that protects from most of these, but if that were the case something also trying to disable avast the self-defence module should alert to something trying to disable/modify avast files/registry entries, see image. So I’m not sure if that is the case.
If you haven’t already got this software (freeware), download, install, update and run it, preferably in safe mode and report the findings (it should product a log file).
avast does not have a firewall.
avast does not disable or change Windows firewall status.
Did you have any other antivirus in the past in this computer?
Yes I had Norton which I removed before installing Avast.Would this be the cause of this issue?
rgds
The remains of previous anti-virus application are one of most common causes to mess up new anti-virus application, about which Norton is pretty infamous. A brief search in these boards ended up with a post like this one.
Thanks.
Avast is working Okay, its just this disabling of Windows firewall that is the problem.Resetting it doesn’t work.Is Avast diabling it when the computer boots up?
Norton didn’t have any impact on this,why should Avast if there is no firewall contention?
Thoughts…
No. Even if something disables your firewall, it’s not Avast. Have you tried complete removal of Norton, following the instruction of Tech’s post?
Maybe, Norton has impact now, or more precisely, it’s remains. Avast is independent from firewall, which is why we should make our firewalls to allow Avast to connect to the net, which is the meaning of the instruction you linked.
stewcat, avast has no relation with Windows Firewall disabling.
thanks I’ve completely removed all the Norton files-however still getting the Windows firewall dropping.Does this mean I have to keep switching it on every time i go on-line.It’s going to get pretty onerous.
rgds
None of our computers are on Vista. So, I don’t know how its firewall works but its odd that your firewall is so easily disabled. Have you tried DavidR’s advice?
thanks for all the advice.tried everything & the firewall is still dropping.
I’m going to re-install Avast as that is obviously not the problem.
The search for a solution continues!!!
rgds
Maybe you should open a command-line window as administrator and run:
sfc /scannow
(http://itsvista.com/2006/12/itsvista-tip-3-run-the-vista-command-line-as-administrator/)
Tech seems to be recommending you to use System File Checker, which checks if the Windows system files are corrupted or not. I’ve found another instruction site with screenshots. http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2231/vista_run_system_file_checker/
I know a faster way of doing this … ;D
Just press the WIN key on your keyboard(or just click on start) and type sfc /scannow and press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER. Voila ! 
Maybe a reset of firewall settings could help aswell, it’s worth a try i guess.
Again press the WIN key on your keyboard and type netsh firewall reset and press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER.
Did you check if the Windows Firewall Service is set to AUTOMATIC ? Here’s how you do it:
Again press the WIN key on your keyboard and type services.msc and press ENTER. Then scroll down until you find the Windows Firewall entry and double click it. Make sure that under startup type it is set to automatic.
http://shrani.si/f/z/I9/4h4Zbbzr/firewallservice.jpg
Also if this won’t work, can you tell us what other security apps you are running along with avast! ?
EDIT: Made the instructions a little easier to understand …
You need to press the Win key and R together to get the Run before typing the sfc /scannow command.
Sorry David but we don’t need the run box at all ! He has Vista, and when you press the WIN key it automatically positions you on the start menu SEARCH BOX which on Vista works also as a run box. That’s why the run box is pretty much useless on Vista and is not on the start menu by default anymore. Of course you can enable it but why would you want that since you can just use the search box. I should probably also explain that the CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER key combination runs the program with elevated privileges.
EDIT: Forgot to mention that the ctrl + shift + enter key combo DOES NOT WORK from the RUN BOX in VISTA(only works from the search box) so another reason not to use it. Search Box FTW ! ;D
Ahh, Vista (sounds like an old gravy advert I used to remember), I didn’t notice stewcat is using Vista, I’ve been avoiding Vista like the plague.
Yeah i figured as much. 
I must say i am very satisfied with Vista ever since SP1 came out and Nvidia and Creative starting making decent drivers for it. It sure took them though. : I’ve switched to the 64 bit version not that long ago and i must say i am quite impressed. Can’t say for others but it works really great on my rig !
@stewcat: Sorry for the off-topic buddy ! Hope you get that firewall working right.