I just installed Avast 5.0, I had 4.8. Once my computer restarted, not one of my programs showed up in the system tray, and I could not access any of them through start, programs, either. Couldn’t go on the internet. Couldn’t even do a system restore. I had to restart in safe mode so I could restore before the installation. Now Avast 4.8 isn’t working at all, and I have no anti-virus program running because of this.
I have Windows XP SP3.
I am afraid to try installing Avast 5.0 again, I hope there is another free anti-virus program out there. I loved Avast, but I don’t know what they did with this new version!
I am now frantically searching for another free antivirus program, because windows says I’m unprotected. I’m thinking of completely uninstalling the now unuseable 4.8 version of Avast, and downloading AVG. Anybody recommend that program?
It was a good thing I created a restore point BEFORE downloading Avast 5.0, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to use my computer at all. However, it somehow turned my old version 4.8 into garbage in the process.
I would suggest downloading a fresh copy of avast and the removal tool and save to download’s, delet your current avast though add remove program’s then reboot into safe mode and run the removal tool then reboot again, you should be able to install your new copy of avast now, sometime’s installing over the top of previous does not work a clean install is always recomended.
If you have ever had any other av’s in the past it is advisible to get the removal tool for these as well which you can find here http://uninstallers.blogspot.com/
I wouldn’t recomend avg, my second choice after avast would be mse, but please try my suggestion’s first
+1 Yup, clean re-install sounds right for you, rubybear.
Welcome to Avast! forums. You seem angry. Please start your own thread to vent your own anger (or maybe try to get help for your problem). Thanks and have a nice day!
Welcome to Avast! forums. You seem angry. Please start your own thread to vent your own anger (or maybe try to get help for your problem). Thanks and have a nice day!
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Already started. Yes, I am angry when I spend money on a program that won’t even run and spend over 6 hours trying to fix it.
NEVER in my 30+ years of computer experience have I run into such a bad program.
Once you’ve downloaded the removal tool, when you open it you should get a list with all the version’s listed, you’ll need to run the tool for both of the version’s you had installed with reboot’s in between.
Thanks for the responses. I think I’m going to have to wait til tomorrow to go through all these steps. It’s 11:40 pm where I live, and I need a fresh mind to start this whole process. I’ll post again to let you all know if it worked. I’d really like to stay with Avast if I can just get the program to work for me!
Download the Avast Uninstall Utility, aswClear5.exe http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility and save it to your HDD (it has uninstall tools for both 4.0 and 5.0).
Disconnect from the Internet at this time.
Go to Control Panel and uninstall Avast through Add/Remove Programs if possible and reboot.
If Step 4 fails, boot into Safe Mode (hit F8 repeatedly) and run the Avast Uninstall Tool. You will need to uninstall BOTH versions 4.0 and 5.0 at this time.
Since you have a different Avast product from the OP who started this thread, I suggest you start your own thread and we would be happy to assist you there. I understand you are upset, but we will help you and work things our for you to get things running. Thank you.
Just installed Avast 5 using your instructions. This time I got a woman’s voice saying Welcome to Avast. Then the window shows up saying “urgent, my Avast service is stopped”, and there is a big UNSECURED notice telling me to click the FIX NOW button. When I do, nothing happens at all, it is just frozen with the hourglass on my cursor.
NOW WHAT???
By the way, I didn’t reboot after installing this, because this was the same window that showed up yesterday when I tried to install it before (over V4.8). When I rebooted that time, none of my programs would work, so I’m afraid to do it. I shouldn’t have to reboot, since the program window shows up, apparently I should be able to use it properly.
Now I ask if you have any other AV/security software installed on this pc.
If the answer is “no”, try a repair. Proceed as if you are uninstalling Avast! normally through add/remove programs, but choose the “repair” option from the menu when it appears, then follow the presented steps.
edit
Oh, then a simple reboot might solve it (yes you should not need to if not prompted, but yet it works sometimes nonetheless)
Regardless, I respect the fact that you should not be without protection. You could take this farther, but if your patience runs thin, you are free to do as you will.
Hello rubybear: I can definitely understand your frustration, especially when one is running without an AV, However I’m sure we can assist you through this issue.
I just want to ask a couple of things if I could> First, did you follow SafeSurf’s directions precisely? You do have to run the aswClear tool two(2) seperate times…both time in ‘SafeMode’ Just to be clear, you have to boot into safe mode run the tool for 4.8 and then your system will reboot…once up and running, shut down and boot into safe mode again and run the tool for v.5. once up and running again install the fresh install pkg. you downloaded.(Close all other programs…It is always a good idea to have the fewest programs running when installing any security software)If you did that then thank you for your patience.
Second> If you would provide more information ie. What OS are you running(my appologies, I see now you are running XP) and what other security software do you have installed on your system?
If you can work with us, please let us know how the process turned out.
Thank you
Well, did the reboot as requested, and sure enough, not a single one of my programs worked. Thankfully I set a restore point before the Avast 5 install, and through rebooting into safe mode, I was able to get my computer back - exact same thing as last night. Yes, I am completely frustrated and befuddled that it should be so hard to upgrade to your latest version. I never had any problems with version 4. I followed SafeSurf’s instructions exactly, using the removal tool twice in safe mode (rebooting in between), etc. All other programs were closed.
As I mentioned in my original post, I have Windows XP Home SP 3. I also have Spybot and Super AntiSpyware installed. However, neither one of these programs run constantly. I only use them to do spyware scans. I have Windows Firewall.
