Upgrade

General Topics
1

Twice I have upgraded to a newer version of Avast, once from 4.8 to 5 and then again from 5.0.545.0 to 5.0.594.0 - Both times my system has been unusable after the mandatory reboot and the only way I could fix it was to totally un-install avast and reinstall - am I the only one to suffer this? I now intend to un-install my current version of avast before installing any new ones. My configuration is nothing special XP sp3 with zonealarm

2

I’ve had no problems but I don’t use ZA.
I don’t know if that’s the reason but it’s one possibility.
Welcome to the forum Captain. :slight_smile:

3

I too have had no problem with the update and I do not use ZA.
Several users here have ZA that have had problems though.

4

I have no trouble with the program itself (the download of the 5.0.594 took molasses to me).
My firewall is avast (AIS) and I have Windows 7.

5

I use the ZA firewall and have had no problems at all. I also have XP with SP3.

6

Hi…

It’s always best to uninstall any older versions first and then install the new version from scratch. :slight_smile:

Using Revo Uninstaller to help with the uninstallation process can remove any leftover registry entries and/or folders.

Regards…

7
Using Revo Uninstaller to help with the uninstallation process can remove any leftover registry entries and/or folders.
The best and safest way to remove any remnants left over by the add/remove function is to use the avast! uninstall-utility: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

Sorry ardvark but I would never use a third party tool if one already exists to to the job. :slight_smile:

8

Hi Bob…

No problem, I’ve used Revo on many occasions, including avast, and never had a problem with it so I considered it equally as safe as the uninstall utility. :slight_smile:

Regards…

9

ardvark, Revo is NOT good for applications that need to boot on uninstalling or, at least, NOT good for uninstalling antivirus and firewalls.
Just my personal experience.

10

Couldn’t you reboot after Revo removes the remains?

I use Revo to run the uninstaller, remove the remains, then I reboot and use the removal tool.

11

The program uninstall could need that files to finish the uninstallation. Some files are (could be) needed to finish the task. Some registry entries must be needed. And what are you doing? Deleting precisely that files and registry keys… It is (could be) a shoot on the foot (for some applications).
Revo is NOT a panacea, on contrary, even services registry keys are left behind… ::slight_smile:

12

Alright, thanks for the info :slight_smile:

13

Several of us with XP sp3 had to install avast! 5 in safe mode (including me).

Not everyone who had a problem upgrading to avast! 5 was using ZA.

ZoneAlarm is an excellent & trouble free firewall. :slight_smile:

14

I had no problems updating between the #5 versions, and had previously carried out a full removal of version 4.
Three program updates so far, using two different firewalls. (Not ZA.)
No problem.

15

@ The Captain,

Try the normal way to uninstall and install Avast, but this time uninstall versions 4.0 and 5.0 in case you have any remnants left behind:

  1. Save a copy of newest version of Avast (5.0.594) for the version you need:
    http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free.exe – Free,
    http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_pro.exe – Pro,
    http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_ais.exe – AIS, and save it to your HDD.
  2. Download the Avast Uninstall Utility, aswClear5.exe http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility and save it to your HDD (it has uninstall tools for both 4.8 and 5.0).
  3. Disconnect from the Internet at this time.
  4. Uninstall Avast through “Add/Remove Programs”.
  5. Boot into Safe Mode and run the Avast Uninstall Tool.
  6. Reboot twice.
  7. Clean your computer up (clean cache, defrag if needed).
  8. Install the newest version of Avast and reboot twice.
  9. Get Internet access and update Avast definitions.
  10. Register your copy or add the license key for Free, Pro or AIS.
  11. Reset your settings, if needed.

Please post your results. Thank you.

16

Hi Tech…

Thank you for sharing that with along with the explanation to GloobyGoob, I wasn’t aware of that. :slight_smile:

Regards…

17

ardvark, you’re always welcome.

18

ardvark,
That was the main reason for my original post. Use the tools designed specifically for a certain task not
a general “do all things for all programs” tool. They do not always work and can sometimes cause serious problems.

19

Hi Bob…

Gotcha! :slight_smile:

And thank you, I wasn’t exactly quick on the draw with that one. :wink:

Regards…

20

I have tried several times completely un-installing and reinstalling, rebooting at the appropriate time, using the clean un-install tool etc. etc. but after each install everything is fine until I reboot again after which none of the avast services will start (they report error 1068) and the system freezes. The only way to fix is to reboot into safe mode and un-install Avast.

The problem is on my desktop, I have Avast installed and working fine on 2 laptops, one with XP and the other with W2k. It is obviously a compatability problem with something I have installed on my desktop I guess but I don’t have time to play around any longer so sad to say I got rid of Avast and am using AVG instead which is working fine.

If anybody can tell me what sort of diagnostics I would need to supply to get this fixed and as long as it’s not to time consuming I will be happy to provide it. There is nothing obvious, event logs look fine and I can’t find any log files with anything useful in the Avast folders.

Thanks all for your comments