updated Avast, but now I can't browse (but can connect to Skype)

Hi, I updated to the latest version of Avast yesterday (for some reason it didn’t do this automatically), version 5.1.889, but now I cannot browse the internet any more (have tried IE, Firefox and Safari).
Have de-installed Avast and re-installed Avast, but to no avail.
Have pinged, but request timed out.
But… I can connect to Skype…
Any ideas?
Running Windows XP and working on a wireless internet connection.
I am sending this from another computer using the same wifi connection.
Thanks,
Ali

Hello tourdottk and welcome to the forum.

What product of Avast do you have (Free, Pro, AIS)?

What is your firewall? Did you check to see if Avast or anything else is being blocked in your firewall?

You say that your upgrade did not happen automatically. This means that you manually or intentionally upgraded it. What version did you have prior to this?

When you open the Avast GUI, does it say “Secured” or is there a problem? Are all your shields up and running?

What current and previous security software do/did you have on this machine (antivirus, firewall, trial versions, other security software)?

I use FREE
I have Windows firewall running, but even when I turn that off, I cannot browse.
I’m not sure, must have been 5.0.something. (not older)
It says secured, everything is up and running, but (because I re-installed Avast) when I want to register, it says “retrieving information, please wait” and than nothing…
Only Avast and Windows firewall. Changed nothing except updated Avast this morning.

On the main GUI, does it say that you are registered or in a trial 30-day period?

What is your current virus definition version? Mine is 110222-0 (I also have Free). Are you getting definition updates?

You can turn your Windows Firewall back on for protection.

Could you answer this please?

Try an Avast Repair:

  • Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > Avast Antivirus.
  • Scroll down and choose Repair function in the pop-up window.
  • Reboot.

Let us know if this helps.

If you have problems with the on-line registration, try off-line registration.
https://support.avast.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=459#idt_02
asyn

Awaiting registration. Your protection will expire in 30 days.
110120-0. No updates.
Windows firewall is back on.

No other security software on this laptop. Might have come with trial version of Norton, but must have deleted that two years ago…

Repaired, rebooted.
No internet connection with all three browsers…

Ok, please report back.
asyn

I’ve just registered, but waiting for e-mail with registration code.
I must say that before I re-installed Avast, I had a registered Avast version on my computer…
So I have tried the FREE registered and unregistered version 5.1.889.

I now have a registered FREE version, but no connection.
I am trying to update Avast now and downloading files from servers.def.vpx, but get an error that I cannot connect to server.
???

  1. Good. :slight_smile:
  2. In avast try the setting: Direct Connection (No Proxy)
    asyn

no result… >:(

Ok, as you’re on XP, try this: http://majorgeeks.com/WinSock_XP_Fix_d4372.html
asyn

no result :frowning:

  1. Download avast here: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free.exe
  2. Follow the instructions here: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
  3. Reinstall avast.
    Solved…??
    asyn

no, sorry… :-[

anybody??
how come I get Skype to work, but not any of my browsers? :cry:

Just to make sure you do not have Norton or remnants on your machine that are causing a conflict, please run the Norton/Symantec uninstaller:
http://us.norton.com/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=20080710133834EN, then reboot your machine when done.

You may then have to do an Avast Repair:

  • Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > Avast Antivirus.
  • Scroll down and choose Repair function in the pop-up window.
  • Reboot.

If the Avast Repair fails to fix your problem, then you will need to uninstall Avast using the Avast uninstall utility tool and do a clean install:

  1. Save a copy of 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.
  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.
  6. Reboot.
  7. Install the newest version of Avast and reboot.
  8. Get Internet access and register your copy for Free:
    Free – http://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus.php
  9. Update the Avast definitions.

Knowledge based article:
https://support.avast.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=504#idt_0003

Let us know if this fixes the problem. Thank you.

ok, done all this, but to no avail…
I have installed Avira Antivirus and disabled Avast and guess what?
I can browse…
???

This is most likely because you now have 2 AV’s on your machine and this will cause major conflicts!!!

You cannot “disable” an AV, you actually need to uninstall it via the vendor’s uninstaller tool.

If you wish to first the instructions I posted in my prior post re: Norton remnants (which may still be on your machine) and doing a clean install of Avast, then uninstall Avira. Here are the instructions on how to uninstall Avira:

Reboot your machine after each uninstall process.

Remember, you must uninstall a prior AV and remnants of an AV prior to installing a new AV for the new AV to work properly.

After uninstalling Avira, rebooting, uninstalling Norton for remnants and rebooting, then you will need to uninstall Avast using the Avast uninstaller tool and do a clean install since at this point drivers are most likely corrupt with any AV you have on you machine and therefore a clean install is needed. Do not bother doing an Avast Repair since this will not help since you installed another AV at this point.

Please let me know if you have additional questions. Thank you.

Sorry, but I did all the things you said I should do in your previous post (remove remnants of Norton etc) and it didn’t work. There is something in Avast that stops me from browsing. And that isn’t in Avira. No matter if I have Avast installed or disabled (which I have done both) I can still browse using Avira and not Avast.
And you CAN disable an AV, just right-click on your Avast icon and click Avast shield control. Here you can disable Avast…
As you can see I have tried all possible solutions thrown at me, but Avast is just not letting me browse…