Avast 7
-is unable to update - get “Attempt was made to load a program with incorrect format” message.
-all scan schedules/profiles have been wiped
-trying to scan from a new scan profile, I get the following window pop up message:
“Unable to start scan. Attempt was made to load a program with incorrect format.”
The above happened when I returned to computer to see it had rebooted some time while I was mid-a deep rootkit scan. For a few days prior to that, Avast repeatedly detected and was reading “action successful” in “deleting” win32:malware-gen in an adobe set-up temp file. Scans with Spy-bot, malwarebytes have always shown and are still showing clean each time with manual searches with those programs. Avast is the only security program I have running in the background at all times.
Now, I can’t update avast. The maintenance screen shows “attempt” to update the definitions. The streaming update seems to be more current so that might be unaffected?
HELP. I’m not particularly computer-savvy but know this isn’t a good situation.
omg, I just noticed “hosts.” Has my computer been hijacked? Avast is still reading “Avast antivirus: your system is secure” 
did you use McAfee before you installed avast?..i see lots of leftover files in there
after uninstalling a security program it is recomended to run a removal tool so all leftover files that may conflict with avast is removed
run and reboot - uninstallers - security software
http://singularlabs.com/uninstallers/security-software/
when done you should run avast repair
For a repair of avast. Windows, Add Remove programs, select ‘avast! Anti-Virus,’ click the Change/Remove button from the pop-up window, scroll down to Repair, click next and follow.
Essexboy is notified and will check you logs when he arrive here later today
McAfee was preloaded on the computer. Should I not try to use another AV? I’m worried my computer isn’t protected now since I can’t scan with avast.
never install more then one AV…and the reason avast is not working is because McAfee is installed
having multiple AV will give you mysterious windows errors and false positive detections
see reply from quietman7 here
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic186533.html
No it’s been working fine for 2 years until 2 days ago. The scan schedule was wiped clear when the comp spontaneously rebooted mid scan. I guess I’ll only lose 3 months of a paid avast subscribe if u have to dumpbit.
No it's been working fine for 2 years until 2 days ago.
well.....i guess you finaly run out of luck then ::)
and the detection you had cant be trusted before you remove one AV
but Essexboy will check those logs when he arrive here later today
OBS: SpyBoot you dont need when you have malwarebytes so i would uininstall that
there is also conflict cases with avast and SpyBoot Tea timer
Yeah I’d say getting a comp equivalent if an STD is running out of luck since I’ve been paying for avast. Will wait for essexboy.
Hi, the host file is put there by Spybot as part of the immunisation, as you are using IE8 that is now redundant ;D
I can see no apparent malware, so I would recommend a clean install of Avast, the probability is that the reboot may have been caused by a power outage or something similar and corrupted some of Avasts files
Download a fresh copy of Avast to your desktop http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
Download aswClear to your desktop http://files.avast.com/files/eng/aswclear.exe
Uninstall Avast (disable the self defence first)
Reboot to safe mode and run aswClear, selecting all flavours of Avast, one after the other
Reboot to normal windows and re-install Avast
Thank you for the info and I’ll try that. I use chrome or Firefox so have never noticed ie version 
Thanks that seemed to work. Scan no longer detecting win32 malware gen for the first time since 28 April.