Okay, I was thinking of updating my Avast 7 free on this computer (Its not mine so I want to make sure it’ll work) to Avast 8 free, but I want to make sure there wont be any problems.
At the bottom of this post you’ll find what kind windows it has and processor and all that stuff, can you please tell me if anyone has had problems with Avast 8 free on a computer that is the same or similar to this one?
Also, Im not 100% sure how to do a “clean install”… Can someone please explain? (Ive never done this before)
Now, If there are problems with Avast 8 on this computer, will it be fixable or will I have to uninstall Avast 8 and find a new AV? (I like Avast so I hope not)
Thankyou very much!
Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-bit, Model: Notebook. Processor: Intel(R) Core™ i7 CPU Q 740 @1.73GHz 1.3GHz. 6.00 GB RAM.
Best practices would say to use a backup disk imaging program such as Acronis or Norton Ghost or even Eausus Todo Free before attempting to make changes such as this to your friend’s system. Pondus is right, you won’t know if you will have problems until you try.
Disk imaging programs make an exact image of the system volume at that moment in time; a complete disk snapshot of all data and programs, if you will.
This disk image cannot be stored on the same drive as Windows, it must be placed on another drive. Restoring the backup image, tho, will take only minutes, not hours, to fix any issues you may have or find when installing avast! 8, and will, because it is a snapshot of your drive made before you installed avast! 8, completely remove all traces of 8 and completely restore 7 exactly as it was when the image was created.
If you should ever get a nasty virus, no problem. Use a clean backup image to restore your system to where it was working properly before.
A clean install is recommended as this is a new version, version 8, and includes some major improvements over 7. Left-over files from 7 can impact the proper operation of 8, so best to start with a clean slate; a clean install in other words.
Noted you have posted whilst I was typing.
Uninstall Avast via add/remove and then use aswclear.exe in Safe Mode only. Be sure to point the program only to folders relating to avast, and only place the removal tool on the desktop before you go to Safe Mode.
Download 8 first. Go offline to do all work (disconnect from the internet and home network) Then follow the first step above. Do not forget to reboot after completing the install of avast! 8.
Hopefully, you will wait until you have backed up the system volume before you proceed. Failsafe procedure, that way.
But I do not know how to get a backup disk imaging program, which do you recommend is the best and are they free? You know what, I should be able to find out with some google searches…
EDIT: Look for an imaging program that will start your system (some offer the option of creating a rescue or recovery disk) when Windows 7 will not start. ;D
That way, you can restore the backup image using the emergency disk to start Windows by whatever program you choose to use.
I’ve about 30 years with computers & have used Avast since version 4, discarded AVG for it, and have moved my client base (I have a small computer service) to it. Aside from a neat interface, I cannot be unhappier with Avast 8 at this point. File & Mail shields are terrible: common documents (e.g., .xls & .docx) generate the “red box of Avast death”; outgoing email is frequently blocked on a number of email clients (several versions of Outlook, Thunderbird, Seamonkey, Pegasus). Sometimes incoming email is also blocked. The software updated is a pain in the fundament. By the time I remove File & Mail shields & the updated, what I have is crippleware with a smooth interface. I am taking everyone of my clients (and me) back to Avast 7 if I can disable prompts for program updates; if not, it is elsewhere, and fast.
[*]Boot to Safe Mode.
[*] Restart the computer.
[*] As soon as BIOS is loaded begin tapping the F8 key until the Advanced Options menu appears.
[*] Use the arrow keys to select the Safe mode with Networking menu item
[*] Press Enter.
[*]Run aswClear
[*]In the Select Product to Uninstall dropdown choose the version of Avast that is on your system.
Odd. Since the question was “Thinking of Updating to Avast 8…”, that was a very good answer. Had I not been in a mess with the wife’s computer and e-mail not sending, and had a chance to really investigate the situation of 8 more, there is no way in hades I would have installed it.
So, the answer to the question is, maybe, maybe not.
If he is willing to deal with the interface, software auto updates, e-mail that suddenly won’t work, has unlimited time and energy, and does not get stressed easily, by all means, update to 8.