My Mom’s trial version of Avast is about to end and it tells us to go to the website to get the reg key, or whatever it is called. But we cannot get onto www.avast.com. She has been using avast for a few years now . . and it has only been in the past few months that she can no longer access the site. I have gone through all the internet options but can’t seem to find anything that explains why we can’t get onto the site.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks
Why can’t you enter the website, e.g. what happens ?
Try this link http://75.126.53.166/eng/home-registration.php and complete the form and you will receive an email from register @ avast.com (without the spaces) with your registration key.
If it works there is a possibility something has changed your c:/windows/HOSTS file. Check it with notepad or a text editor and look for any line with avast.com and 127.0.0.1 on it if there is one delete that line and save the file. There may also be other entries for other security based web sites and this indicates you may have or had an infection that tries to block this access to stop you getting rid of malware.
Also, you can use the SSL page version and register from there: https://secure.avast.com/scripts/register.php?lang=ENG
See the tutorial: http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/insert_key.htm
Please take a look here: http://www.avast.com/eng/faq-invalid-license-number.html
What is the error message?
Is her system date/time correct?
Which avast version are you trying to register (Home or Professional)?
Did the trial period (60 days) expire?
Hi . . it isn’t an error that we get . . it just says page cannot be displayed. We can access it from every other computer in the house, but for whatever reason, not hers.
The current 60 day trial hasn’t expired . . it has two more days I think.
DavidR . .the link you gave me did work, so she awaiting the email with her reg key in it. But I tried to look at the file that you suggested, and I can’t see anything in it that looks like it could prevent the website from being shown. Although there are web addresses of other antivirus programs on the list.
Tech … her system date and time are correct, and it is the Home Edition that we are using. . .I will get her to try the new links . .
Thank you both for your help
Ashley
Bad thing… generally hosts file have just one line… and it’s here: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
127.0.0.1 localhost
If you’re using the trial period, you’re not with Home, but with the Trial…
@Tech
I don’t know what way you have your system set-up but the hosts file on mine is in the windows folder.
@ ashleyvk
Having connected to the avast.com using an IP address it is most certainly a HOSTS file redirect blocking your attempts. The file might be hidden, in Windows Explorer, from the menu toolbar, Tools, Folder Options, View and select Show hidden files and folders. Note this is a file without an extension (file type) but it is just a text file.
Since something has obviously edited your HOSTS file you need to check out your system for adware/spyware.
If you haven’t already got this software (freeware), download, install, update and run it, preferably in safe mode (for the item 1 item you choose_.
- If using winXP AVG anti-spyware (formerly Ewido). Or SUPERantispyware Or Spyware Terminator. Or a-Squared free if using win98/ME.
- Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition
- Spybot Search and Destroy
- Spywareblaster Don’t install this until you are clean (this should protect your hosts file in the future).
@ DavidR
Just out of curiosity, is your xp an upgrade or a full version? Tech’s path is correct for xp, yours would be me and down.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_file
Just wondering is all… ???
Upgrade from win98SE, I must try to remember that for the future and just have people do a search for hosts.
Thanks.