I have set a password for Avast! by using “Set/Change Password” in the system tray menu.
When I select “Program Settings” in the menu, Avast asks for the password as expected. However, if I “Start Avast! Antivirus” and then open the settings from there, there is no password prompt. That doesn’t make any sense… can anyone explain?
As if that’s not bad enough, I just restarted my PC and got an error message. What’s this supposed to mean? After the error, access is allowed to the settings with no password. This seems like a major flaw.
Also, every time I log on, I get the “Enter your password” prompt without even clicking on anything. :-\
Very strange… Never read this before. Seems a bug.
What is your operational system?
Are you logged as the Administrator, an user with administration rights or a single user?
Can you try to repair your installation?
Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > avast! antivirus > Remove
Then choose Repair function in the popup window (Repair).
You must be connected to the internet while repairing.
Do you have any other antivirus installed in your computer?
Did you have in the past? Which one?
Do you use a firewall? Which one?
Windows XP Home SP2, fully patched.
Are you logged as the Administrator, an user with administration rights or a single user?User with admin rights.
Can you try to repair your installation?I'll give it a try later. The initial install went fine, and I successfully downloaded the latest virus definitions.
Do you have any other antivirus installed in your computer?No. I previously had NAV 2004, but I completely uninstalled it. None of its processes or services are running, and only a few of its files (settings) are left behind.
Do you use a firewall? Which one?Windows Firewall.
I had to remove NAV a long time ago…
Well, I survived untill now… I’m avast since then.
See How important is it to completely remove Norton? topic.
Please, browse the Symantec website and download the specific uninstall tool for NAV (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/2001092114452606). It will clean trash left behing by NAV (files, registry keys). You need this to proper working with avast.
Can you try to repair your installation? Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > avast! antivirus > Remove then choose Repair function in the popup window (Repair).
If this does not help, can you uninstall / boot / install / boot again?
Can you reinstall Windows over your own installation?
You can delete folders/files under either ‘Norton’ or ‘Symantec’ folder, the others under Liveupdate folders and ApplicationData…
On Registry, well good Registry Cleaners could do some work.
But, for me, the only thing I would worry about is the VDD keys. You must have the following entry there:
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswMonVd.dll
Can you post the contents of these Windows Registry keys in your system?
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\VDD
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\VDD
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\VDD
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\VDD
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet004\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\VDD
That’s apparently for NAV 2003 and earlier. I believe NAV 2004 has an improved uninstaller.
4) Can you reinstall Windows over your own installation?No, I'd rather live without an anti-virus program. :P
5) You can delete folders/files under either 'Norton' or 'Symantec' folder, the others under Liveupdate folders and ApplicationData...All that's left from NAV is some settings under Application Data. Everything from Program Files is gone. I can't imagine how any of the few leftover files could interfere with Avast.
But, for me, the only thing I would worry about is the VDD keys. You must have the following entry there:C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswMonVd.dll
As I said in my last post, I’ll repair or re-install Avast when I have time, and then report back with my results.
Why so worry about?
The over installation does not miss any configuration, any program, any file… It will be only correct Windows entries and Registry…
Ok, they’re right so…
We’re waiting… Good luck 8)
Just a note (which doesn’t really solve the problems… don’t have any explanation right now) - the “password-protection” feature is only for the resident protection; it doesn’t prevent changes to the “common” program configuration.
(I found out that it’s still possible to modify the resident protection settings from the Enhanced User Interface without entering the password; it’ll be fixed in the next program version).
If that’s true, then why is there a password prompt when you right-click the systray icon and select “Program Settings”?
(I found out that it's still possible to modify the resident protection settings from the Enhanced User Interface without entering the password; it'll be fixed in the next program version).The enhanced interface is only available in Avast Pro, right?
Good question 
I guess we’ll have to sort this out somehow.
Yes.