Safe Mode Networking - No Updates?

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hi,

I had something suspicious on my computer. Malwarebytes found it and I deleted it. A full Avast scan was then done and gave the all clear. But the computer was still freezing, so I went into Safe Mode Networking and tried to update the Avast Engine / Programme versions. But Avast would not update :frowning:

Is this correct please, will Avast not update in Safe Mode Networking? Malwarebytes will do though.

Thanks,

AV

2

AFAIK, Malwarebytes does not install a driver or depend on any other Windows services, so it can indeed update and run in Safe Mode.

Avast like all anti-virus programs, can only run it’s real time protection driver in Normal mode.

You can probably use the manual VPS update from here: http://www.avast.com/download-update
Perhaps somebody more important can confirm this?

3

Avast by default doesn’t run in safe mode.

So if you go into safe mode, you would have to manually start avast (avast! desktop shortcut or Start, All Programs, avast!), did you do that ?

Then you could try a manual virus definitions update (program update isn’t something I would consider), did you try that ?
If so what errors did you get ?

The download and install of the manual download of the complete virus definitions update (from the link given), should also work, but that is approximately 103mb download. This could take some time and you may be vulnerable on-line for that time if you have a slow connection, you could download it using another computer and transfer using a USB/CD/DVD.

4

Many thanks,

That is helpful. I am away from the desktop just now but will resume shortly. When I open Avast in Safe Network Mode there is that row of little icons showing all the Avast functions. Normally they are all green but in Safe Network they each have a red line under them, meaning that they are disabled.

AV

5

I have downloded AVAST Software Setup Engine and saved at Desktop to another computer. Will I burn this download to disc please?

Would I then insert the disc into the problem computer in Safe Mode, then run it from the disc?

Thanks,

AV

6

The file can be copied to the system and run (double click) it from normal mode.

7

Negative, the affected computer boots normally then freezes, eventually the hour glass appears over whatever you ask to open. It only runs in Safe Mode.

Can I run the download from the cd in Safe Mode please?

8

Avast doesn’t run from safe mode, so I don’t know if when you try to run this vps update nothing will happen as avast isn’t running to recognise it. You can try to start avast in safe mode, if it starts then you can try to run the vps update file.

9

:o getting scared. Am positive have run Avast in Safe Mode before. When you open Avast in SM, Avast has a :expressionless: smiley face and a title saying ‘Resolve Issues’ or something?

10

As I said if you are able to start it in safe mode then try and run the update from safe mode.

That said if you can’t run your system in normal mode, that really is something that you should be trying to resolve.

11

Many thanks, & hence my thread.

AV

12

Yes, but the title is misleading, as it is more about not being able to get avast updates from safe mode. Rather than emphasising the greater problem problem of not being able to boot into normal mode. In all honesty even if you manage to install the virus definitions update I don’t believe that will resolve the greater problem.

If you are able to post the contents of the mbam scan log it might help us, if what has been removed is crucial or even a false positive.

So this will probably require specialist help by one of the malware removal specialists. It is almost 1am in the UK and a little later in Europe, so many of the volunteer specialists will be in bed.

13

Thank you. My computer almost certainly has an infection which has disabled it. Any help and / or advice more than welcome please.

Best regards,

AV

14

What os (service packs) do you have?
What exact version of avast?
Are you getting a error or something when trying to boot in normal mode?
Have you waited e.g. 30 minutes when trying to boot in normal mode? (it can take a while before a error appears)
And please follow these instructions (if possible): http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

15

Thanks David and Eddy,

Pretty sure I am running Avast Pro on that 2core, but it’s bundled up now, will resume work on it in a couple of days.

The 2core boots normally but then slowly starts to freeze from that moment on, with everything you point to with the cursor yielding the hourglass icon, so you never get past the desktop. Eventually everything freezes, no mouse control or anything. In Safe Mode there is full control of whatever is enabled in SM.

Just had a thought, if all else fails (I now have that Avast download burned to CD) could I not remove the 2core ‘C’ drive, place it in an external casing, then run it - as an external drive - with a full Avast scan from a healthy computer please?

Thanks again,

AV

16

Update: I loaded the cd to the 2core and opened the Avast file which copied over successfully. I have now commenced a full virus scan in Safe Mode.

Another thought - would it also be possible to load (usb key) the latest MBAM file to the 2core please - and if so, where would I download it?

Anything else I can copy to the 2core while it is isolated from the Internet?

Thanks,

AV

17

Update: negative.

It’s AvastPro btw.

Did a full Avast scan in Safe Mode which gave ‘No Threat Found’. I then selected Boot Scan at startup, and did a restart. But no boot scan happened. Same old thing - computer boots up as normal, cursor works until it passes down to the lower margin (where the Windows button is) then you get the hourglass.

Then when you try to click on a desktop icon the cursor turns into the hourglass again, and that’s it, system freeze :frowning: The processor led light still flickers now and then, so something is going on somewhere, no idea what though.

It must be diagnostic that the boot scan is prevented in normal mode - any ideas please?

Will also investigate that earlier link.

Thanks,

AV

ps. might a system restore help here?

18

Update:

The 2core is without Internet connectivity at the moment and I can’t fit a dongle to it. The wireless connector Belkin USB N150 apparently has driver issues, to add to my woes. Not that fitting anything to the 2core would have much effect in normal mode at the moment.

I downloaded the latest ADWcleaner to a usb key and ran it on the 2core. After the scan and clean I clicked on the log but it opened Adobe Reader which couldn’t open the text file. I have noticed Reader opening since I have had this issue, it is obviously linked to what is going on.

After running ADWcleaner I attempted an Avast scan in normal mode which froze after about 2 seconds.

What about saving other diagnostic or anti-virus/malware programs to usb key and running them, is that also possible please?

Thanks,

AV

19

Dear Avast forum,

Please find attached MBAM log which opened in txt.

Comments appreciated.

AV

20

Since there is nothing (detections) on the mbam log it isn’t going to be much help. Not to mention you haven’t updated the database for some considerable time (Database version: v2012.12.14.11), security based programs must be kept up to date or they aren’t effective.

Your version of mbam is also out of date Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (PRO) 1.70.0.1100 when the latest is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (PRO) 1.75.0.1300.

Since you have the Pro version, you should have it do auto updates, this keeps the program and definitions up to date. You should also consider enabling the protection.

You need to open the Start Scanner and check the Logs tab and look for the log where you actually detected something which you deleted (it should be in the Quarantine), ending up with the problem in booting. Posting the contents of that log will help, as it would give an idea if what was deleted was crucial and could have messed up the normal boot function.