Unable to start avast

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Forgive me if I am in the wrong forum, but I did not see one that fit my category of problem. I had temporarily disabled my version of avast (5.1.864), to restart when the computer re-booted. After the re-boot, the shields control stayed disabled, and nothing I do can make them turn back on. I have used the ‘Fix It’ button, and the “Start Program” button, to no avail. In the Update section of the user interface when I click on ‘Update engine and virus definitions’, I get the message, [Failed to update. The avast! service is not running.] And right under that is a listing that shows:
Current version: unknown
Release date: unknown
Number of definitions: unknown

I have tried restoring the computer to a date when I knew avast! was working, but I still get the same result, unable to activate the seven shields. This is a free version that I registered in 11/18/2010. It is not supposed to expire until 11/18/2011. I have been very happy with the avast! protection and this is the first time I have had any problem with it. Does anybody have any idea of what is going on? One other question:
Would I be able to uninstall my present version and then go to the website and reinstall? Or would my present registration status prevent me from doing that?

2

Hello bodavis and welcome to the forum.

You state that you have v.5.1.864 installed on your machine, however this version has been replaced with v.5.1.889. This may be the reason for your problems.
I suggest that you uninstall and do a clean install of v.5.1.889.

  1. Save a copy Avast 5.1.889 and save it to your HDD:
    Free: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free.exe
  2. Download the Avast Uninstall Utility http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility and save it to your HDD (it has uninstall tools for all Avast versions and products).
  3. Disconnect from the Internet at this time.
  4. Go to Control Panel and uninstall Avast through Add/Remove Programs if possible and reboot.
  5. If Step 4 fails, boot into Safe Mode (hit F8 repeatedly) and run the Avast Uninstall Tool. Uninstall all previous versions and products of Avast you had on this machine at this time.
  6. Reboot.
  7. Install the newest version of Avast and reboot.
  8. Get Internet access and register your copy or add the license key for Free, Pro, or AIS.
    Free – http://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus.php
  9. Update the Avast definitions.

Let us know if this fixes your problems. Thank you. :slight_smile: