I have encountered a problem with the blue “a-ball” not showing up in my system tray. I have followed all instructions to reestablish in the system but to no avail. It appears that the blue “a-ball” is NOT active. When I click the “a-ball” short cut via desktop, it just hangs there not doing anything (non-responsive). I went to Add/Remove programs–it will not launch at all after repetitive clicks. Additionally, I went into safe mode to delete old/previous version of Avast and I was successful however, upon re-installing Avast the blue “a-ball” still does not show in the system tray. I am fearful that my computer may be infiltrated with a rogue virus. I need to reestablish this great program IMMEDIATELY–please advise soonest ???
Uninstall avast from Control Panel (if possible). If, for any reason, you can’t run it, try booting in Safe Mode and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after that.
Run the avast! Uninstall Utility saved on 1. If, for any reason, you can’t run it, try booting in Safe Mode and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after you’ve run it.
Install avast! using the setup saved on 2. It will be good to accept the boot time scanning. Boot.
Check and post the results.
Which was your old antivirus?
How did you uninstall it?
First, of all thank you for the advice/instructions however, the blue “a-ball” icon want display in the system tray. I forgot to mention in my first post that I had already completed the instructions you provided. At this point, I really NEED to get Avast active on my system because my computer is at RISK for virus(es). Can you or someone provide any additional advice/instruction on how I can get Avast active on my computer soonest? ???
Might also be useful to know what version of windows(XP SP2/XP SP3/Vista SP1 etc.) and what other security programs(Firewall/Anti-Spyware etc.) are installed.
Besides the old antivirus questions, is ashServ.exe running? No
Is the icon shown in system tray or not? No
How might I check to see what old antivirus I had because when I checked properties (before deleting)it indicated Avast 4.8 home version. Guys I need a fix to this dilemna…I am at lost…PLEASE HELP
I am running XP w/SuperAntiSpyware and SpyBot (Search & Destroy) and prior to me losing the Avast antivirus program the SuperAntiSpyware and SpyBot were compatible with no issues. I simply do not know how/why Avast suddenly disappeared from the system tray.
Spybot and Superantispyware are antispyware programs, and (unless you’ve purchased the pro version of Superantispyware (SAS for short) neither run in realtime, that is, they are not antiviruses.
Go to the control panel and select “system”. The screen that will open, in the “general” tab, will tell you what your service pack status is. (See pic below.)
Then go to the control panel again, select “add remove programs”. It will take a few seconds to open. Sort the programs be name, and browse through to look for an antivirus program that is not Avast. The computer quite likely came with something like Norton pre-installed.
You are absolutely correct SAS and Spybot do not run in real time on my computer. They are initiated/launched by me…
The service pack on my computer is “service pack 3”
The computer came pre-installed w/Norton on a trial basis of 90 days. After 90 days I opted not to continue and went with Avast as my Antivirus program.
Upon further discovery I noticed in control panel via Security center
-Firewall ON
-Automatic updates ON
-Virus Protection ON (Windows Protection Suite is running) I know for a fact I did not install Windows Protection Suite, is this a rogue Virus that manage to infiltrate my computer and acting as though its a Antivirus program running in real time? Additionally, would this be result of my computer not recognizing Avast as the current antivirus running on my system. Windows Protection Suite is not listed in the Add/Remove programs via Control panel…
Man, I am seriously worried about this recent discovery…Please provide REMEDY(s) >:(
You need to google “Norton removal tool” and remove all traces of norton. You may need to reinstall avast after running the removal tool. PCDecrapifer might be a good tool to use to get rid of trial software preinstalled also. Using CCleaner(CrapCleaner) would be a good idea too. One more thing, if you do not have a NAT router with a built-in firewall,go buy one(they are cheap these days-under 50$US)
Hello and I’m sorry for the intrusion but I seem to have basically the exact same problem as KSloan. I was looking for “New Topic” to start a new thread and not disturb this one, but can’t find it(?). Please someone tell me how to post my problem? While it is basically the same as KSloan, it only happened today while, after using it for 60 days without problems, Avast made me re-register for 14 more months and here’s where, when I got to the part of clicking on the A-Ball…I discovered that it is no longer in my taskbar bottom right. I’ll give my computer details when I know where to post.
Don’t be too worried. (Just a little. It’s fixable.)
-Please download MBAM and save it to your desktop. Install it then check for updates.
-Please download the Norton Removal tool (from MagorGeeks.)
-Once updated, please also update SAS.
-If you do not have the full install file for Avast, download it by clicking here. (Direct download, 36.3Mb, from the Avast site.)
-Have a look at this, (for independent verification of what I’m posting.) You might want to print it. Bleeping computer, removal instructions.
-Go offline.
-Uninstall Windows Protection Suite via the control panel. (It may refuse to uninstall, or do something else a bit weird. Don’t worry if that’s the case.)
-Run a quick scan with MBAM. Have it delete anything found. If it prompts to restart to complete removal, do so promptly.
-Uninstall via the control panel anything with the name “Norton” or “Symantec” in it. This is to do with the trial version on your computer. This is not malware, but will interfere with another installed AV. If there are any Norton applications you wish to retain, let me know.
-Run the Norton Removal tool. It will take a minute or two.
-Via the control panel, add/remove programs, select Avast antivirus, change, and then “repair”. This should only take a minute. If for any reason it doesn’t work, you have the full install file handy, and can follow the “install from scratch” post by Tech, above.
-Go online. Update Avast.
Please post the MBAM scan report here, and let us know how it’s going, now. This should have fixed it. Then I (or we) have some advice about how to stay secure online, which you might want to check out.
Tarq, THANK YOU for the GREAT info…Man, it WORK ;D I’m back in business…I have the blue “a-ball” icon back in the system tray and its active. Now with regards to your request to post the MBAM scan report, it is quite extensive and very long. So in an effort not to bore you and others, I elect not to post the 3-4 page report via notepad. Please advise how I can stay secured online??
Glad that helped.
If you don’t mind posting the scan report, just copy and paste it to notepad, save somewhere, and upload it as an attachment. (See “additional options” on the forum, at the bottom right of the reply window.)
If you’d rather not, I suspect it isn’t a big deal if all is running well. But know that although you are probably OK, there is no guarantee that the removal is 100% successful, maybe 99 or 98, something like that. (That’s a bit of a caveat. I actually can’t guarantee it even if you do post the scan report, but if anything leaps out I would maybe spot that further action might be indicated.)
That said, a “second opinion” scan, using updated SAS and Spybot would probably go a long way to reassure. This is pretty standard after any malware removal. Get three independent clean scans, means you’re probably OK, particularly if one of those three is by MBAM or SAS.
There are all sorts of advices and tutorials all around the web on how to secure a Windows system. Opinion can vary a bit. The below is probably a composite of other opinions I’ve read, plus what I’ve found works for me.
-1) Layered protection.
This means having a number of applications or protocols in place, that each guard or immunize a particular element of possible attack/vulnerability. It is pointless, ad sometimes contra-indicated to have more than one application covering the same area. So you wouldn’t have two software firewalls, for example. Or two AV’s.
What most users would hopefully have would be something like:
a hardware firewall, or router. Should include the current state of the art encryption if using wireless. (I believe that is currently WEP2.) The hardware firewall is optional, but many users consider it a worthwhile investment. (I don’t use one.)
a software firewall. Windows XP has one built in, but it only guards inbound. It’s good at what it does, but I would want (and do have) a two way firewall, that will ask for connection permission whenever an unknown or unauthorised application tries to connect outbound. Think of that as a safety net. If something nasty gets into the system, the control on outbound connection is your last chance to stop it downloading reinforcements. Or sending your CC details out.
an antivirus, running in realtime. You have Avast. It’s darned good, out of the box. No setting changes are needed, but it is very configurable. (Example, I have mine set to check for updates every hour. Overkill, but does no harm.)
a demand scanner or three. MBAM, SAS, S&D, and the like. As you see, good for removal, if something the AV doesn’t detect gets in.
What I also recommend is:
Keep Windows, and all the software installed up to date. Often vulnerabilities are discovered in applications, and patches released for same. MS are quite good at this. But other applications maybe not so. Go to www.secunia.org, and do an online scan (requires an ActiveX install, IIRC) which will indicate if there is any known vulnerable software installed. ( I have the Secunia PSI installed, and it constantly monitors applications, comparing with a large database at Secunia of known updates/vulnerabilities.)
Set the browser to prompt for the running of scripts. Especially third party scripts. This can prevent hacked webpages visited from installing crap, by electing not to run all content on the page. Surprising how many websites come with “extras”. Doesn’t have to be a porn site, either. All it needs is for the hosting software to be out of date, or poorly maintained/set up. If you use Firefox, get the “noscript” and Adblock plus" add-ons.
Use the “immunize” feature in Spybot, OR use a hosts file, OR SpywareBlaster. Prevents known bad sites from loading.
Backup your important data regularly. If you ever have to format and re-install Windows, you’ll be glad.
Last but not least, learn what not to click on. Don’t post your email address on a public forum. Don’t open attachments via email, unless you are expecting them/know the sender. Don’t click on any old invite posted to a profile on a social networking site. If something looks a bit dodgy, Google it. And if there are other users who will not adopt those protocols, make them use a limited user account, and password-protect your own account. Wouldn’t hurt to password-protect the admin account, either. (There is a special procedure. I’ve done it, but forgotten the exact steps. Google it.)
There’s heaps more. Those are a few of the ones I find have served me well. Caution: You can really get into this. End up trying out all sorts of things to guard your computer. Forget the original reason you wanted a 'pooter in the first place.
an antivirus, running in realtime. You have Avast. It’s darned good, out of the box. No setting changes are needed, but it is very configurable. (Example, I have mine set to check for updates every hour. Overkill, but does no harm.)
What are the steps to have my Avast runs/scans every hour?
Adela
