I used the Uninstall Utility, yet Avast says I've a previous version

Well, I used the Uninstall Utility to remove all Avast versions on my PC, and install the Avast Free latest.

Yet, it has given me problem today. It is unable to update the virus definitions. So, I went to Remove Program and did the update there and was successful. (you guys should try that too, instead of updating it at the Avast Control Panel).

Before the successful update, my Windows Security Center flagged my anti-virus is not installed, but Avast was running fine with all the Shields running, except the Firewall (which asked for payment to activate it).

Now that I’ve successfully updated the Avast virus definitions, the Windows Security Center red alert icon is no more there. Good.

So, my question is that Avast flagged me telling that I’ve a previous version on my PC and I should uninstall it so that Avast can perform it its best.

But I’m sure I’ve uninstall all versions.

I really hate going to safe mode to uninstall Avast with the Uninstall Utility all over again, as it screwed up my network connection the previous time I did that. I had to reset my PC to get my network connection back.

Is this a bug or did Avast keep remnents of its software on my PC that even the Uninstall Utility tool cannot uninstall completely?

I also like to refer to this post…

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/virus-spyware/f/3522/t/19492768.aspx

I like to find out if Avast is trying to tell me to remove Emsisoft Anti-malware, which I’ve installed since its previous name a-squared anti-malware.

Is Emsisoft anti malware posing as an anti-virus software and conflicting with Avast?

http://i.imgur.com/9KKHlwy.png

It doesn’t say it detected AVAST. It says it detected previous (another) antivirus product. Were you using any other antivirus before avast! ?

That’s what I’m trying to ask.

If it is talking about emsisoft anti malware, yes, I’ve it installed and it is still there, but had expired its licence.
I’m just wondering if the Avast notification is saying there is a conflict with emsisoft and that I should removed it, or is the message saying I’ve a previous version of AVAST?

It’s probably detecting Emsisoft. If you don’t have any problems, then don’t worry. They just display this to avoid as much problems as possible. But if it works for you, why not. I’ve used many combinations in the past and most of them worked perfectly fine.

I’ve uninstalled Emsisoft and the notification is off. :slight_smile:

However, I’m not able to update both virus definitions or program, through the Avast Control Panel…
What is wrong here?

http://i.imgur.com/7uzh7Ee.png

http://i.imgur.com/XLuJu3T.png

@ bigspanner Please use smaller screenshots (png or jpeg) as some users are on dial-up or have small monitors. :slight_smile:

Screenshots sized changed.

So, who has the answer for the problem of “cannot connect to server” to update?

This I take it was a manual update check ?
If so this is normally an indication that something is blocking avast from updating.

What is your operating system and firewall ?
Does it allow avast.setup internet access ?

  • If it does delete the entry for it and do a manual update, this should force the firewall to ask permission again.

Operating System: XP Pro
Firewall: Windows Firewall

No exception was made in Windows Firewall to allow access to any Avast dll or exe.

As I said, if I go to Windows Remove Program under Control Panel and instead of doing Repairing, Uninstalling, etc, I do an Update. It works in updating Avast this way. However, when at Avast Control Panel, under Maintenance, click on Update, it will not update, giving the “cannot connect to server” alert.

http://i.imgur.com/F4uOrVe.jpg

OK the XP firewall shouldn’t be an Issue as it has zero outbound checking or protection (something you should consider for the future).

Whilst the Control Panel and instead of doing Repairing, Uninstalling, etc, I do an Update, has a higher permission level, that really shouldn’t be an issue as the virus definitions update should work even on a limited user account.

So this is somewhat strange and I’m wondering if emsisoft anti malware hasn’t left some remnants that may be in conflict.

Emsisoft is totally removed. After uninstalling it, I’ve rebooted and then I’ve gone to its website and downloaded its removal utility EMSIClean.exe and run it and it says nothing left of Emsisoft.

I like to mention that I’ve used Avast Free for a few years and upgraded from 4 to 5 to 6 to 7 to 8.
However, this is a fresh installation of Avast, as I’ve used the trial version for Internet Security 8 for 30 days and after the trial expired, I decided to uninstall everything and start afresh.

After installing a fresh Avast, I was able to update and only faced this problem now, like all of a sudden.

I am hoping that my problem has a precedent here, so I can resolve this asap with some help and advice.

:frowning:

1st reply:
I’m out of ideas as to why the Update via the Control panel, add remove programs, avast Update works, yet the normal one doesn’t.

Is the ordinary auto update function (not manual check) working or are you getting errors on that ?

2nd reply:
When you say this was a fresh install do you mean a clean reinstall running the aswClear.exe uninstall utility for previous versions of avast that you had installed ?

The update mode is set to Automatic update, for both the Virus definitions and the Program Version.
How do I test if it is working or not?

As you can see from the screenshot, my account is connected to the Server, but when I click to update manually, it tried and then returned the error “cannot connect to server”.

I uninstalled previous version of Avast in safe mode, using the Avast Uninstall Utility.

Is there a dll which I can download from Avast site and replace any corrupted file, if any? As I’ve said, I’ve done a Repair a few times on this Avast install, and it said successful all the time.

What should I do next?

More info…

I went to the Software Updater and this is what I saw…

To me, it is a bit strange, as I’ve never seen “Error” before for any of the software monitored by Avast for updates.

Anyone knows what is happening here?

http://i.imgur.com/oSO61Ee.jpg

Did you click on the “More Details” to find out why ???

If you’ve used the Software updater yourself, you will know “More Details” just tell you your software version and the latest version.

C’mon, why’re we not focusing on the problem? I’m not a newbie user of IT and this is freaking frustrating for how can Avast be so unstable as to be so ambiguous in its troubleshooting?

The updater has already told you that it’s attempt to update failed and
told you to do a manual update.
(Removing the old version and installing the current version.)