Installed the latest version of Internet suite and once rebooted get an error Logon process initialization failure and cannot get back in except via last know good configuration.
Once back in Vista Avast is installed but not working correctly, errors like unable to start the file system shield.
Shield unreadable.
Tried to start the service’s in the Services area but they will not start, also note that in the Even viewer there are quite a few errors pertaining to services not starting.
Before this the Laptop seemed to be going ok.
Does this indicate an issue with avast or possibly a Windows problem.
Hello turtle63 and welcome to the forum. 
Often times when someone is having difficulty with an AV it is due to other things. So let’s trouble shoot to see what is going on. First I need to know the following:
- Do you have a 32 or 64-bit machine (Vista)?
- What version of Avast did you install? 5.0.677 or something else? Was this an upgrade over a previous version of an Avast product, if so, which one and what version, or was this a clean install?
- What other security software do you currently have or did you have in the past on this machine including antivirus (AV), firewall (FW), and other security programs? If they were in the past, how did you remove them (the vendor’s uninstaller’s tool or another way)? The reason for asking is because remnants of security software often conflict with other software.
- Did you reboot after your installation of Avast?
- Have you tried to “Repair” Avast?
To do an Avast Repair:
Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > Avast Antivirus > Remove.
Then choose Repair function in the pop-up window (Repair). Reboot.
Based on your responses to the above questions, we will give you further instructions. Thank you.
Often times when someone is having difficulty with an AV it is due to other things. So let’s trouble shoot to see what is going on. First I need to know the following:
- Do you have a 32 or 64-bit machine (Vista)?
32 bit Laptop
- What version of Avast did you install? 5.0.677 or something else?
5.0.672 that was the 1 downloaded off the website today 13-9-10
Was this an upgrade over a previous version of an Avast product, if so, which one and what version, or was this a clean install?
Clean install
Uninstalled through control panel Avast free
Yes would have rebooted
Reinstalled using fresh dwownload and cleaned out all temp etc.
- What other security software do you currently have or did you have in the past on this machine including antivirus (AV), firewall (FW), and other security programs? If they were in the past, how did you remove them (the vendor’s uninstaller’s tool or another way)? The reason for asking is because remnants of security software often conflict with other software.
- Did you reboot after your installation of Avast?
- Have you tried to “Repair” Avast?
To do an Avast Repair:
Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > Avast Antivirus > Remove.
Then choose Repair function in the pop-up window (Repair). Reboot.
Based on your responses to the above questions, we will give you further instructions. Thank you.
I need some clarification:
So you did a clean install of 5.0.672, then uninstalled it via Add/Remove, but did not use the Avast Uninstaller Tool in Safe Mode…correct?
You then did a clean install of Free 5.0.677 and rebooted and ended up with the problems…correct?
You didn’t answer re: current and previous security software on your machine. I need to know as this may cause conflicts.
Did you try the Avast Repair yet or not?
I need some clarification:
So you did a clean install of 5.0.672, then uninstalled it via Add/Remove, but did not use the Avast Uninstaller Tool in Safe Mode…correct?
I uninstalled the program using the add/remove, actually the version was 5.0.677 sorry.
I downloaded the tool to try but the Laptop would not go into safe mode, i selected it and it went through the process then it restarted back into normal Windows.
I then stopped the avast process and used the tool which removed it, restarted then reinstalled which installed correctly and updated.
Then I restarted and that is when i get the error and cant get back into Windows unless I do last know good configuration.
I think what is happening is that the services are not starting on reboot, in fact I see other services there not starting and not able to start them.
this seems to be a Vista thing?
You then did a clean install of Free 5.0.677 and rebooted and ended up with the problems…correct?
You didn’t answer re: current and previous security software on your machine. I need to know as this may cause conflicts.
Did you try the Avast Repair yet or not?
Did manage to get into safe mode eventually and run the tool, then reboot and reinstall the program which is fine, then reboot and that is when it happens, the services are not running.
Product/Version: Avast Free / 5.0.594
OS: Vista 32-bit
So you managed to uninstall and correctly install Avast this time. Great.
When you say, “the services are not running,” are you referring to the Avast services or Windows services? Exactly what “services” are not running now? Please be specific.
Please answer this question as I am trying to help you. By security software, I am referring to current and previous (including trial versions) of antivirus, firewall, and other security software. Remnants can cause AV’s not to function properly, give FP’s, and create all kinds of problems. Thank you.
Product/Version: Avast Free / 5.0.594
actually it was Internet Security 5.0.677
OS: Vista 32-bit
So you managed to uninstall and correctly install Avast this time. Great. Smiley
Yes that is right
When you say, “the services are not running,” are you referring to the Avast services or Windows services? Exactly what “services” are not running now? Please be specific.
Not just Avast services but some windows ones, seem to be at fault also, try to start them and they say no can do.
Check the Event viewer and there are a huge amount of errors, different services errors because of not starting.
This seemed to be right from when the guy purchased the Laptop.
I am wondering if what is needed is to repair Vista.
But in saying that it is only Avast that is causing the issues once restarted and service is not starting causing the Logon error
Quote from: SafeSurf on Yesterday at 08:47:33 AM
You didn’t answer re: current and previous security software on your machine. I need to know as this may cause conflicts.
It was Avast Free previously
Please answer this question as I am trying to help you. By security software, I am referring to current and previous (including trial versions) of antivirus, firewall, and other security software. Remnants can cause AV’s not to function properly, give FP’s, and create all kinds of problems. Thank you.
So your problems started upon purchasing the laptop? Have you considered returning it to where you purchased it since it should be under warranty or do you want to try doing a repair of Vista?
You started out with Avast Free then uninstalled Free and reinstalled to AIS? Is this when your Avast troubles began? You have no other firewall installed in your machine other than Windows FW? When you initially tried to install AIS and had difficulty and had the program partially installed then eventually was able to get into Safe Mode, did you run the Uninstaller Tool for 5.0 and AIS prior to reinstalling? If not, uninstalling using the Avast Uninstaller Tool for both 5.0 and AIS and doing a clean install for AIS should fix Avast.
But you are still left with your Vista problems; you have several choices on this – since you bought the laptop with existing problems, you can exchange it (assuming it is within the time period); call the vendor since it should be under warranty for technical support/repair; try a Vista repair on your own. You won’t be able to go back to a MS good configuration since you never had one according to what you are telling me. Just to confirm, this laptop is MS Windows Genuine and you can can do MS Updates on it?
Please let me know what decision you will take and how I can help you from there. Thank you.
No the Laptop has been ok, just some things dont seem to start when turning on, it just shows that in the event viewer, and looked like that started when first purchased, am not going to worry about that at this point.
Yes had the free version then uninstalled, downloaded the AIS and installed, went ok until it said do you want to restart which he did, then on restart the error, Logon Process Initialization Failure and he couldn’t get back into Windows.
I used Last know good Configuration and got in, then noted the problem with AVAST.
So it installs ok, does an update but as soon as you restart it then has the problems, the Avast service will not start.
No other firewall except the Windows one.
Have used the tool then reinstalled and like i said it is good till restarting.
Am not to worried at this point about the Vista (yes it is genuine and can do updates),it is more that he has paid for the Avast and cant use it because of the issue.
Thank you for your help
Turtle, trying not to be repetitive, but indeed the thread is too long and I can only say that, generally, this installations problems are corrected by 1) fully uninstall of previous antivirus 2) installation of avast from scratch.
- Download the latest version of avast! Uninstall Utility and save it.
- Download the latest avast! version and save it.
- Uninstall avast from Control Panel (if possible). If, for any reason, you can’t run it, try booting in Safe Mode and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after that.
- Run the avast! Uninstall Utility saved on 1. If, for any reason, you can’t run it, try booting in Safe Mode and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after you’ve run it.
- Install avast! using the setup saved on 2. Boot.
- Register your free copy or add the license key for Pro.
- Check and post the results.
Perhaps the last know Configuration was with Avast Free.
In any case, do an uninstall AGAIN using the Avast Uninstaller Tool, but make sure you uninstall BOTH 5.0 (Free) and AIS. Then do your install of AIS.
I did everything you said
Download the latest version of avast! Uninstall Utility and save it.
2. Download the latest avast! version and save it.
3. Uninstall avast from Control Panel (if possible). If, for any reason, you can’t run it, try booting in Safe Mode and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after that.
4. Run the avast! Uninstall Utility saved on 1. If, for any reason, you can’t run it, try booting in Safe Mode and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after you’ve run it.
5. Install avast! using the setup saved on 2. Boot.
6. Register your free copy or add the license key for Pro.
7. Check and post the results.
But the Logon Process Initialization failure message is there on restart after a successful install.
Did you do what I quoted above?
I know in your last post you responded to Tech, although you told me that you now have AIS, so you should be inserting the AIS license for Step 6 (not Pro). What license did you put in there and did you do it online?
How to insert AIS License: Once you have purchased Avast Internet Security 5.0, you will receive an email with your license file attached to the email address specified during the purchase process. You need to have Avast Internet Security 5.0 already installed on your machine to insert the license file into the program according these instructions: http://support.avast.com/index.php?languageid=1&group=eng&_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=476
If you are still having difficulties, please submit a minidump file to Avast: http://support.avast.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=71. The directions on how to do this are on the link; remember to name your file uniquely. They will analyze the information and get back to you in this thread.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you.
Did you do what I quoted above?
Yes I did do what you asked also, sorry should have said.
Quote from: Tech on Today at 12:59:25 AM
6. Register your free copy or add the license key for Pro.
I know in your last post you responded to Tech, although you told me that you now have AIS, so you should be inserting the AIS license for Step 6 (not Pro). What license did you put in there and did you do it online?
We used the license that was emailed to him once he had purchased the product for AIS.
I put it in during the install process, will try and do the install again then put it in, but it installs ok doing it that way.
If you are still having difficulties, please submit a minidump file to Avast: http://support.avast.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=71. The directions on how to do this are on the link; remember to name your file uniquely. They will analyze the information and get back to you in this thread.
Tried to do the memory dump and went through the instructions but it would not do a blue screen and searching for the dmp file could not find it, sorry, not stupid and know what I am doing but it did not happen.
Just reinstalled the free version and it went through not a problem, there is obviously some kind of issue with the AIS version 5, I see other people having issues too.
I wonder if my client could get his money back as he is a Pensioner and with my bill on top this has turned out to be an expensive exercise.
I am sorry to hear of your difficulties. At this point, you should contact Avast: https://support.avast.com/ under “Submit a Ticket” and explain what has transpired and you can print up the forum thread. If you live within the USA or Canada, there is a phone number I can give you for a partner of Avast (iYogi). If the license works with the Free version, I’m wondering if an incorrect license was given to you for AIS and they will be able to confirm this. If you still have the email, you can contact them from the information on this email as well.
You and your client have been very patient and understanding, and I appreciate that very much. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do. Thank you very much.