I think I may need to reinstall avast (the free home edition). For some reason, it no longer shows up in my system tray and I no longer get those almost daily pop-ups that tell me it’s checking for updates. It appears that it IS up to date – but it no longer tells me when it’s happening.
I’ve downloaded the installable .exe file again, but I’m not sure I should just run it. Should I uninstall the existing files or just re-install over what’s already there? Do I need to register the new installation? And if so, do I need to get a new registration number or use the one I already have?
There are things to do and check before it comes to a reinstall, like find out why as if it is a replicable thing then even when you reinstall the icons may be missing.
avast! icon missing - As a temporary measure until this is resolved you can create a desktop shortcut for this file C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashDisp.exe (the avast icon and interface to the providers). Right click on the file and select Send To, Desktop (create shortcut). You will need to run this after each boot until the problem is resolved.
What other security based software do you have that might block new startup entries, e.g. Spybot S&D (TeaTimer), AdAware (AdWatch), SpySweeper, Spyware Doctor (StartUpGuard or OnGuard), PrevX, WinPatrol, ProcessGuard, etc. ?
Check the option in the Appearance tab of Program Settings. Or Make a link to ashdisp.exe in your startup folder.
Let us know how you get on with these suggestions after answering any questions.
Well, after about a 6-month absence, I got back to the problem. I created a link to ashdisp.exe in my startup folder. For the last couple of days now, I’ve noticed the icon in the system tray and today (for the first time) I even got the update popup notice. I think it’s working okay, but I’m not sure I’m seeing everything I’m supposed to see.
I know there’s been a lot of water under the bridge, but thought I’d post this anyway. Thanks for the “link” suggestion. I’d never have thought of it myself.
Though I can’t tell what you might be missing, any clues on what it is you feel you might be missing ?
Browse the forums, especially the sticky topics at the top of each of the forums, not to mention the avast file. They provide a wealth of information to help you get the best from avast.
“…any clues on what it is you feel you might be missing?”
Well, no, not really. Just a vague notion that the user interface should be something different and I don’t know how to get it back to whatever it was in the past. It’s also entirely possible that I’m “remembering” the wrong program.
So long as it is doing everything that you try on the interface and it seems to be working well you are in business.
Whilst everything is running well I would suggest a browse of the forums, especially the sticky topics at the top of each of the forums, not to mention the avast help file. They provide a wealth of information to help you get the best from avast.