Hung up on Initializing

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I’m trying to help my dad who has an old computer on dial up.
He has IE7
He is using XP
His Avast is at Program 7.0.1483
His Avast definitions is at 120702-2

His definitions are OK but I can not update his Program Files.

I tried it over his phone lines and it was slow and then it failed.

I am at my home with his computer connected to my high speed internet but I can not get it to even start to update.
It gets hung up on INITIALIZING.
Is there a setting I need to change because I’m now on high Speed Lan vs his phone connection?

I cleared out Temporary files and rebooted but that did not help.
Thank you,
Eddie

2
  • Which avast!..?? (Free/Pro/IS/Premier)
  • Which version…??
  • OS…?? (32/64 Bit…? - which SP…?)
  • Other security related software installed…??
3

Free Version
Avast at Program 7.0.1483
Avast definitions is at 120702-2
XP SP3
IE 7.0.5730.13 128 Bit
I don’t think he has other security programs

4

Other security related software installed…??

5

I checked his Control Panel and he has a Windows Firewall enabled.

6

I turned the Firewall off and it still will not initialize,

7

Turn the FW back on and do the following:

  1. Download avast! Free Antivirus: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
  2. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed avast! versions…!!)
  3. Reinstall avast! with the downloaded installer from point 1.
  4. Reboot.
8

I have never worked in SAFE MODE.
Don’t know how to get in (or out of) it.

AVAST is in my Add/Remove programs area.
Can I remove it that way?

If yes then I…

Download using the link you gave.
Remove the old version.
Click on the downloaded installer.

Is this a similar version/interface?
My dad is 85 and does not learn anything new well.

If I download it on my computer (high speed)…,. Will it be configured to update from his phone modem automtaically?

Thank you so much!!!

9

→ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_mode

10

Thank you,
I’m already a bit over my head and out of my comfort zone.

Will deleting it using Add Remove Programs work?

Eddie

11

Sorry, but you’ve to follow the instructions. :wink:
To get into safe mode, hit F8 while you boot.

12

Thanks

Last Question (I hope)

Once in Safe Mode
Do I uninstall the old and then install the new version before rebooting and getting out of safe mode?

13

No, you just uninstall all…!! old versions of avast, then reboot.
And install the free version in normal mode.

14

I’m posting from my computer:

I followed the directions.
I downloaded the new Free Avast on my dad’s computer.

The computer is VERY slow and at times unresponsive (online and offline).

Is there a feature I can disable or a setting I can change? (one of the many shields etc…)

Dad is 85 years old and rarely goes online (Dial up).
The computer is old and was slow to begin with.

He like Free Cell but even that is slow (and at times unresponsive).

Please help.
Eddie

15

Run the uninstaller for any AV’s you used prior to avast from here to remove remanents: http://singularlabs.com/uninstallers/security-software/

  1. Download avast! Free Antivirus: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=117113.0
  2. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed avast! versions…!!)
  3. Reinstall avast! with the downloaded installer from point 1.
  4. Reboot