I have been a steady user of avast for approximately 2 years. Just today, a problem occurred with avast that has me stumped.
I am using Vista SP2 Home edition.
HP 9000 series laptop.
The version of avast is 4.8.
I use Comodo firewall, proactive defense mode.
Have several security programs, all on demand scan, not active. Avast is the only active one.
Have already run scans with SAS, Mbam, Antivir and online Live Onecare, no infections found.
The problem with avast is it has apparently stopped working.
Clicking on the avast desktop icon gives the warning: “Unknown error” and proceeds to tell me to download new skin.
I am unable to run scans.
I am unable to update program.
One warning has stated that library could not be loaded.
The icon in the notification tray has the red ball indicator.
Clicking on the tray icon gives message: AAVM subsystem detected a RPC error.
Left clicking the icon gives me the menu, but all attempts to start service result in error.
There is constant windows error messages stating “Avast antivirus stopped working and was closed”.
Administration-Services shows avast “Started”. Services setup is/was on automatic.
Comodo window shows when online that web scanner is on, but am unable to determine if it is functioning as it should.
Have attempted to uninstall/reinstall new program in safe mode, with registry clean after uninstall and installation, unsuccessful.
I like this program, but if there is no solution I must know quickly so I can switch to another security program.
I thank everybody for any assistance that can be provided.
As spg SCOTT says, any other AV needs to be uninstalled, and a removal tool run (if available) Here (seventh down) is the tool for Antivir (now renamed Avira.)
After running this it may be necessary to repair your Avast installation, via add/remove programs.
My thanks to everyone for their timely reponses and taking the time to address my problem.
To reply to the previous replies:
There is no new or old AV program other than updates. I have been very satisfied and happy with avast for 2 years.
There was a Norton program present when I first purchased my laptop, but I quickly removed it using the uninstall tool. This was 2 years ago.
Forgive my ignorance, but I don’t believe that this would cause this problem after 2 years. Is it possible the updates to the other programs could be the cause. The updates not only include database updates but also program updates. But since they are all not active and only are on demand, this could not be the cause of the problem, could it?
If so, would it be advisable to uninstall all the others using a tool and then uninstalling-reloading avast?
Reply #2:
I am aware of Comodo’s difficulties. I am researching possible new firewalls to replace Comodo, but so far none seem satisfactory to me. One that I may try would be Online Armor. In the meantime, I use version 3.5 and have not updated to the newer versions.
Again, thank you everyone, any and all advice and assistance is appreciated.
By the way, I’m finding the firewall in my sig to be (apparently) effective. It certainly is light. And the HIPS component doesn’t bug me much. Very easy to use. (I say “apparently” because I’m not a firewall expert. Or any other kind of expert, really…But the computer remains malware free.) It’s application-based, rather than rules based, makes it a bit easier for the average person to set up.
Avira was installed about a year ago. Installed without the active scanning components.
I will try this route then. I will uninstall Avira, is there a Avira uninstall tool available.
Yes, I linked one above, it’s the seventh download on the page, titled “avira registry cleaner” (or similar).
Worth trying an Avast repair first, maybe.
If that doesn’t work, try the tool. Then repair again.
Also, while you recommend repair. While looking at my control panel, I find no Add/Remove program icon. The only one that applies is Programs and Features. But when I click on avast, it does not give me a repair option, only uninstall.
I hope Murphys Law doesn’t show up. If I didn’t like avast so much I probably wouldn’t be going through all this or putting everybody through this.
Sorry, not a native Vista speaker. Of course it is in programs and features. There should be two options, “remove” or “change”. Click “change”. One of the three options that should then appear is “repair”. Should only take a minute or two, probably less.
The Avira registry cleaner is specific to removal of antivirus registry entries.
I just ran it to see what it removes, and I’m glad I did.
You should only place a tick in the boxes beside “avira” or “antivir” entries. (It also finds Avast entries.I didn’t know that.)
If you download it, you may find it is only in German. You press “Keys auslesen” to run it, and “loschen” to remove registry entries with a tick beside them, “Beenden” closes the program.
Comodo will probably nut off big time when you press auslessen.
(Slight guess here, being on XP)
When you click avast, and click uninstall, does it give you a list of options? (one being repair)
Something similar to the images?
When a program is removed, (especially AVs etc.) a lot of stuff, like registry values are left, this can cause problems for other programs etc. so need to be removed.
