I recently started using Avast 4 Home ( replaced AVG 7.5). My new home built computer is a month old (Sp2/current) and runs great. I’ve install a number of programs with no issues. Last night I prepared my system for SP3 install, including disabling Avast (clicked on "Stop On- Access Protection via right click / systray icon – is this correct??) along with a number of third party programs. I’m using a local install file downloaded from Microsoft. About 6 minutes into the install I receive a “Access Denied” error message. The only options offered was OK and update automatically uninstall itself. Systems is stable. Upon further checking, one of MS suggestions was a register lock. It provided a path to “SVCPATH.LOG” in which to check if that was a problem. I have that error in my log (but does not point to problem reg entry). Has anyone using Avast have this issue installing SP3? Did I properly term Avast prior to the install ? I did noticed their were two running processes in Task Manager which would not allow me to disable. This is the first program install I’ve done with Avast installed so I don’t know how if I should be concerned or not with Avast. I’m running XP firewall, so that should not be a issue. Plus it is easier to live with when setting up a new system, program installs, and setting up network links / shares. Will be installing Comodo in near future, as this is the firewall I use on all of my network computers. Would be most appreciative for any suggestion per managing AVAST during SP3 and next attempt to install.
Thanks
Dennis L
You could do so. In many system you don’t need to do it. Some systems require it…
Try to temporarily disable the avast self defense module:
- Right click the ‘a’ blue icon on system tray.
- Programs settings > Troubleshooting (tab)
- Disable self defense module
For some weird and wonderful reason SP3 wants to access the avast registry keys for the avast executable files with write permissions and avast’s self-defence module would object to that.
Edit the above is unrelated to SP3 update but comodo firewall pro.
Whilst there have been some who have had a problem with the SP3 update many haven’t. You could try temporarily disabling the self-defence module (as Tech mentioned), Program Settings, Troubleshooting, Disable avast! self-defence module and try to reinstall.
I just attempted to update my Win XP SP2 to SP3 and got flooded with registry access denials.
A bit more detail:
Using avast 4.8.1192
Only firewall in use is the Windows XP firewall.
Updating using the current “recommended” offering at the Windows Update site.
A couple of weeks back I updated another XP SP2 system to SP3 using the then latest avast beta build and the then
“SP3 is available to download” site at Microsoft - then I got no registry access denials.
The registry denials popups seem to be new to the latest beta refresh as far as I can tell (at least I had not seen any of them or reports of them before this latest refresh).
A lot of folks are going to be performing the SP3 updates in the next month or so. It would be a pity if 4.8 were to get a reputation of interfering with a significant operating system update - especially when it seems quite a few new users are moving over to avast from AVG.
I just reverted my Win XP SP2 system to avast 4.8.1187. After allowing it to get up to date with current VPS updates I repeated the installation of Windows Service Pack 3.
The installation proceeded without any errors from Windows and without the alarming flood of registry “access denied” popups from avast.
It may well be that the installation of SP3 would have completed successfully with avast 4.8.1192 had I been willing to ignore the large number of popups from avast. However, from a customer confidence perspective I suggest they are unacceptable.
quoting Tech .. Try to temporarily disable the avast self defense module: 1. Right click the 'a' blue icon on system tray. 2. Programs settings > Troubleshooting (tab) 3. Disable self defense module
Thank you for your suggestion. It has been an uphill battle. I tried your suggestion along with others, including Safe Mode install. All ended with Access Denied / Register lock … but always auto-uninstalled and system was stable. Prepared for my 4th attempt to install SP3, using MS “Method 3” (program download/Registry script to automatically rewrite permissions in register. This ended in a crippled, barely functional computer. Restored from Acronis image, system in fine shape. Will hold off for a couple of days and see what develops on forums around the net. Thanks for all your help and I will keep you posted.
Dennis L
Do you have any other security (related) software installed, like TeaTimer?
No.
The only difference between my two attempts to install SP3 is the version of avast installed (remember that 4.8.1192 was published as the “Gold” candidate only on 7th May).
Do you have any other security (related) software installed, like TeaTimer?New system, keeping security layer low until I have it configured/networked the way I want it. Current security installed or running ... XP Firewall SpywareBlaster Avast Home / 4.8.1169
Computers, network sit behind a router running NAT/SPI. Run additional router filters/block against all connected, except my address, set to Trusted IP. DHCP is automatic, but use router reserve option to assign a specific IP to a MAC address … which is also filtered for network allowance. When kids home from college, WIFI is turned on. Settings … WPA-PSK, no beacon.
Did you login as administrator (which is not the same as a user with admin rights) when trying to install SP3?
Note: Administrator is by default a hidden account! See HERE
For any who may stumble on this thread …
Earlier today I installed the new production release of avast 4.8.1195.
With avast running in its normal configuration (active and with self-protection enabled) I then installed Windows XP Service Pack 3 calmly, quietly and without any error pop-ups from either Microsoft or avast.
Thanks to the avast team for their efforts to ensure it was so.