I am using Avast Free 7.0 on a Win XP SP3 PC, no other AV installed. Problem started about 2 months ago when I upgraded from Avast 6 to Avast 7. All real-time shields are OK right after install, but as soon as I reboot the Mail Shield turns off and cannot be restarted. All the other real-time shields are working.
I’ve tried many of the suggestions in this forum including clean install several times using the uninstall utility for Avast 6 & 7 in Safe Mode; reboot, running CCleaner for any registry errors and a fresh download of Avast 7.1.1426 for reinstall.
I’ve also tried only using the uninstall from Control Panel, but still the Mail Shield fails to remain on after reinstall and reboot. After Safe Mode uninstall and reboot, I have not found stray Avast *.sys files in C:\Windows\System32\drivers folder
I’ve also used Malwarebytes scans giving a no inflection found report. What are the recommended next steps?
You will need to use the avast removal tool under safe mode. This issue I avoid completely using this process!
Removal of previous versions of avast! using the avast! uninstaller utility
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Remove all avast! versions as well as any other A/V programs from add/remove programs in control panel.
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Download the latest version of avast! Uninstall Utility (aswclear.exe) and save it on your desktop. http://files.avast.com/files/eng/aswclear.exe
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Start Windows in Safe Mode (F8 key before Windows splash screen on a reboot)
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Open (execute) the uninstall utility aswclear.exe
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Choose which version of avast! to uninstall. This process will be repeated for each avast! version (4, 5, 6, 7, BP, BPP, etc) So let’s assume we had all 3 versions of avast! installed at some point. So we choose version 4.8 and proceed.
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If you installed avast! in a different folder than the default, browse for it. (Note: Be careful! The content of any folder you choose will be deleted!)
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Click REMOVE
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DO NOT Restart your computer
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Close aswclear.exe
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Open the avast! uninstall utility a second time
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Choose version 5 of avast!
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If you installed avast! in a different folder than the default, browse for it.
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Click REMOVE
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DO NOT Restart your computer
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Close aswclear.exe
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Open the uninstall utility again
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Choose version 6 of avast!
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If you installed avast! in a different folder than the default, browse for it.
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Click REMOVE
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Restart your computer
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Now install avast! antivirus.
Thanks for tips. Basically, I had already tried the sequence of cleanup you outlined; trying to remove all versions from 4 though 7 in safe mode using awsclear utility before doing the restart. I have read of other WIN XP problems using Avast 7.0 Free, so I just re-installed the latest version of Avast 6 Free and everything is working fine; even after repeated re-boots. I may try version 7 again down the road when I have time to run though the cleanup sequence again. I have another Win XP PC that uses V7 Free without problems, so there is some quirk that I have not identified that turns the Mail Shield off after reboot on the problem PC
Dear Jerry,
Sometimes, that is THE solution. I understand that there is a new version of 7 that is addressing Mail Shield issues. It is in progress as we speak. At this point, avast! 7 is working better than 95% of the time, but that new version will increase this percentage. Great choice to use 6 for now!
J.R. Guthrie
Good to hear they are working on it! 
I haven’t heard from them in support for a month after a couple of replies. Sure wish Avast would at least give a follow-up reply or keep us updated on the forums. Just a ‘canned’ response would be ok.
Jerry_g
If you try 7 again you might also look at the web and network shields, I think you’ll find them on but not scanning. I believe they are related to this issue. I know that is how it is for me. I was told of a temporary work around for the web shield if you are interested.
Duster6524
Dear Duster,
I have a process “when all esle fails” This is the last step when the removal tool is not the answer. At the end I will post my knowledgebase article URL so you can understand the full concept i have learned as 40 years as a Failure Analysis Engineer. This applys to all software, no just A/V, not just avast:
The “WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS” procedure to “scrape” all of avast! remnants from a computer system (AKA Pete Scrape) using the avast! example:
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Add remove programs, remove avast!, restart.
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Go to safe mode, use avast! removal tool, select avast! version #, restart, and repeat for every avast version ever loaded on that system (you did this previously)
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In Local disk C:, ProgramFiles, delete “avast” and “Alwil” directories if there.
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In C:\Windows\temp, remove all.
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Start, run, type “%temp%” and remove all.
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Do a Windows search on all hard disks for instances of “avast” and “Alwil” and delete all.
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Start, run, type “regedit” (Windows key + R). Under Hkey, current user, software, and remove “avast” and “Alwil”, then under Hkey, local machine, software, and remove “avast” and “Alwil” (This is specific to Windows XP)
Use CCleaner to remove the rest of any avast! orphaned registry remnants, and restart.
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Install avast! and reboot!
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Usually, good luck at this point. And you can substitute other manufacturers products into this script. Remember, registry hacking is always risky, so always have a backup before you proceed. It’s kinda like the acknowledgement checkbox in LSPfix, “I know what I’m doing, or, I like to reinstall my operating system”
http://advantage77.com/blog/2012/02/16/when-all-else-fails-discovery-and-removal-of-antivirus-leftovers/
J.R. Guthrie