Version 7.0.1456 Issue

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I know some others have posted here regarding this, but with different system. I’m running windows vista home premium. After downloading the latest version of avast, and rebooting my computer, startup was normal (but quite slow), but after logging in, I got a black screen, with only the mouse pointer visible. The mouse pointer moved with the mouse, as normal. I had to reboot into safe mode and go to a restore point, which fixed the problem…almost. opening avast revealed the status of my file system shield, im shield and p2p shield was “stopped”. A message indicated Warning: reboot required. I did, with the same results as the first time - black screen. I went back to restore point, them uninstalled avast.

I have been using avast (free) for several years, and have updated in the past without any issues. I’d hate to have to give it up and find another program, but…I currently am without virus protection on my computer - please help. Am am nearly devoid of computer smarts, so keep it simply, if possible.

Thank you.

2

Try a repair. Control Panel>Programs and Features>Uninstall> double click avast>scroll to repair>reboot. :slight_smile:

3

Several member with the same issue.

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=101132.0

Better to invoke a memory dump creation and send dump file to Avast!

ftp://ftp.avast.com/

4

Thanks for getting back to me, Para-Noid. Sorry, but I’m not quite sure what I’m supposed to repair. I’ve already uninstalled avast. Are you saying I should download it again, and then repair it? Why does it need repairing - is it defective? Can my computer repair someone else’s software?

Told you I’m not too smart when it comes to computers…

iroc - I have no idea how to invoke a memory dump creation or send a dump file to avast. I don’t even know what a dump file is.

5

You should not be without antivirus in the web. Can you install the last version of Avast! that did not give you problems ?

6

I agree completely - when I installed the latest version of avast, it removed my previous version. I tried to find an older version on the web site, but it seems they only offer the latest, which craps up my computer.

7

Try here:

http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/11817/

Otherwise you should have to install the version which is giving you trouble and follow this instructions to create a dump file and send it to avast!

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=101132.msg809288#msg809288

Hope enough people can generate that dump file for avast! to find out what is the issue.

8
  1. Save a copy of Avast and save it to your HDD:

Version 7.0.1456:
Avast Free AV: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe

Avast 7.0.1426:
Avast Free AV: http://www.oldapps.com/avast_antivirus.php?old_avast=7370

  1. Download the Avast Uninstall Utility http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility and save it to your HDD or desktop.
  2. Disconnect from the Internet at this time.
  3. Go 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 and reboot in between each uninstall.
  4. Reboot.
  5. Install the newest version of Avast and reboot.
  6. Get Internet access and register your copy or add the license key for Free, Pro, or AIS online.
    Free – http://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus.php
  7. Update the Avast definitions.

I would try the new version first because you may have had a corrupt download. If that doesn’t work, then uninstall and install the older version.

Also, what other security software do you have on this machine as this may be causing a conflict with the installation?

9

Perhaps I am wrong, but here is my experience with the different versions.
7.0.1426: Works pretty well except for a bug in the installer which gives you plenty work after the first reboot.
7.0.1451: A real disaster which should never have been released. Not only having a memory leaking kernel driver, but also seems to screw up the whole update process. The users should absolutely do a clean install if this version has been on the pc.
7.0.1456: A quick bugfix release which has removed only the worst bugs in 7.0.1451. If problems are experienced with this version, do a complete uninstall and install v7.0.1426. If the first reboot gives major problems, uninstall in safe mode and go even further back in version number (7.0.1407).
I hope this info can be helpful and lower the blood pressure at users who experience major problems.
I really hope that the Avast developers have learned the lesson, and this time will test the next version properly before releasing it.

10

@ inster,

Did the uninstall/new install resolve your problem as I wrote in my previous post?

Still waiting for your response. Thank you.

11

To all who replied: Sorry for the delay in getting back - I had to go off on a business trip, and just returned this afternoon.

My problems have been resolved - I’m not sure why or how, but here is what occurred:

I went to the link that iroc9555 posted (filehippo) and attempted to download an older version of avast. I say attempted, because during the download process, the latest version of avast somehow replaced the version I was attempting to download. I installed it anyway, and it installed without requiring a re-boot (???)…and it worked fine. Later on, I re-booted the computer, and guess what came back? The black screen - but only for about a minute, then the computer continued booting up as normal…and I now have the latest version of avast on my computer, and everything seems to be running perfectly - and no more black screens.

Again, thanks to all of you who offered assistance.

12

Some members have reported a fix with reinstall. Others no so lucky.

Glad it worked out for you.