I have just downloaded and installed avast Home edition v4.1 (build 4.1.418) but get an error every time I try to launch the program from the desktop icon or from the system tray ball icon. Despite this the program appears to be running as I had a virus file update download.
The error message is ‘cannot load skin function “usiGetSkin” failed’.
From the FAQ with the program I noted that this error is obviously common and your fix is to run C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\RegsvR32.exe ACTSKIN4.OCX
I did that and the registration was stated as succeeding, however, exactly the same fault message continues to occur and I cannot continue into the program configuration, if that is what is beyond the splash screen. Rebooting made no difference. I am a little unsure that I have the syntax correct. I assume there is a space between exe and the A of ACTSKIN4.ocx. Presumerably the registration would not have succeeded if I had it wrong.
The problem is that, because I cannot get beyond the system splash screen before the errror comes up and access halts. Thus I cannot do a system virus check. Despite this the program seems to be working in that I get the two blue balls in the system tray.
I have tried contacting avast supprt but they do not respond.
I have tried the program repair option but there is no change
Firstly, it sounds like you have a faulty installation.
Did you have any other antivirus software on the computer when you intalled Avast? Any installed prior to the installation that you removed?
Yes, there is a space after .exe and before the filename you wish to register.
At this point, I would uninstall Avast. Reboot the computer. Shut down ALL uncessary programs except Systray and Explorer (if you have IE).
Then install Avast again.
Let me know what happens.
At what point do you see the system freeze…
as soon as the splash screen appears?
when the boot scan starts?
at some point during the boot scan? etc…
I did have McAfee anti virus program but both uninstalled it and also ratted through the registry to get rid of any references to McAfee.
The following are replies to your comments
At what point do you see the system freeze…
“After the splash screen and the memory check is completed or bypassed. The sytem does not freeze, the screen reverts to the desktop and the error screen (cannot load skin Function “usiGetSkin” failed) I described appears.”
I have tried to re register the dll as the offline FAQ suggests but no change.
The program appears to be working fine and getting updates etc but because I cannot get into the program I cannot set up a system scan.
Computer details are:
94 mb RAM
330 mb Processor
4gb HD (80% used)
Windows ME
The computer is a laptop.
Did have McAfee virus program which was removed and the registry cleaned
of any flotsam and jetsam
Thanks but I did all of that in response to the first post to no avail, including disabling everything not essential
I had been running the McAfee virus program and it is fairly demanding of a computer and had no problems, except for the huge weekly update files, which is why I gave it away. I had uninstalled it and cleaned the registry of all the rubbish left behind.
As I have said in earlier posts the program is working fine. It is just that I cannot get beyond the splash screen to set up a system scan. I cannot even get back into it via the system tray icons to achieve this. I found the fix in the offline FAQ from the Help page for just the problem I am having (but it made no difference) by right clicking on the VRDB icon and slecting "what is avast VRDB " and this took me into the program help files.
The error occures when I click on the avast desktop icon. The splash screen opens and the memory check is done. It then says it is continuing to load the program. The next thing is the error screen called “unknown Error” which contains the informaton that “Application cannot load skin. Function useGetSkin failed”
This error is described in the offline FAQ and I carried out the fix recommended but, although the dll was registered, the error continues to appear. If I right click on the avast icon in the system tyray I get a menu but, if I select “start avast Antivirus” I go down the same track as I described above and the erro appears.
I cannot do without a system scan for much longer so will have to try another program if I cannot get avast working.
Appreciate your help.
I am new to the program and assume that a screen will come up after the splash screen if you open it from the desktop icon to allow you to configure it and initiate a system screen
The thing that puzzles me is that avast support will not resond to my emails for assistance.
I’ve seen simulair behaviour with other applications on ME. It sounds to me you have a corrupt registry and/or a corrupt windows installation. The original system files are likely replaced by other versions. You may want to try scanreg /restore or scanreg /fix to see if it changes anything, but to be honest I doubt it will solve the problem I think you are facing a clean isntallation of ME.
I’m sorry… I tried but cannot figure out what is causing that…
Did you already tried to see if there is anything wrong with your firewall, proxy filter…?
Can you connect the Internet by your browser?
Did you change your storage type from ODBC to XML into avast4.ini file?
I did not have a firewall installed when the problem first appeared. I now have Zone Alarm but have disabled it before each new install.
I still have good internet connection. Indeed avast has upgraded my virus filles after each reinstall. It is strange as the program is doing its scanning and upgrading just fine. It is just that I cannot get from the program splash screen into the main screens so I can configure it and generate a system scan. That process halts when the error screen appears.
I have even tried downloading a fresh program file in case there was something corrupt in that, but no change. Before that re install I put JV16 through the registry to clear out anything left from the avast uninstall
The only thing I have not tried is to do an install deselecting the skins. The only logic in that is that the error seems to relate to a skins function. Might try that.
I do not use a proxy.
I have not intentionally changed the avast.ini file
Hi gmccann
Before you do that, Please download the following following program and use it to do a complete uninstall of Avast!. http://freeweb.siol.net/razor256/downloads/avast_external_control.zip
This program is from one of our members (RejZoR) and is a Must Have Utility for Avast!
Once you’ve done the complete uninstall, then please re-install and I’m sure your problems will be over.
Good Luck and let us know how you make out.
Have a good evening.
Sadly, even though I used the “brutal” setting in the uninstalll utility within the program you recommended, then reinstalled with the mimimum of things running, when I clicked on the desktop program icon it opened the spalsh screen, did the memory check and the next thing was the error message and no progress beyond that. Thus no change from my previous attempts.
“Unknown Error” “Application cannot load skin. Function ‘usiGetSkin’ failed”
The blue balls are in the system tray and all is working fine there. If I right click on the ‘a’ ball and select ‘Start avast Antivirus’ the same occurs as described above.
I again went through the dll registration recommended in the Offline FAQ in the Help file which is supposed to cure just this problem but that again made no difference.
Why not?
You could test if changing your storage type from ODBC to XML into avast4.ini file works…
Try RejZoR’s application (link Control on my signature)
Yes, there are heaps of sub keys. None seems to relate to avast but the sub keys are :Control,Inprocserv32, Misc Serv, ProgID, Programmable, ToolboxBitmap 32, TypeLib, verb, Version, VersionIndependentProgID
