avast

When I started up my computer yesterday morning it prompted me that my free avast virus protection was running out and that I needed to renew and asked me if I wanted to reload or install the new free protection. I did this and then after I did I had to restart. I coulld not get it to start normally and it would not even bring up windows. I had to start it in safe mode and then it just sat in safe mode for a few minutes and did nothing, had to cut it off again and then started it up normally and it finally came on, it ran slow to start with then got normal again but it takes forever to recognize a jump drive when I put it in and my camera card it will not recognize at all. I had the same exact trouble this morning. Do you think this might have messed my computer up or is it about to crash?

I have been using the free version of avast for several years now and have renewed several times....no problems whatsoever.

maybe you should remove it and then re-install the new version

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Originally Posted by fishinRod

maybe you should remove it and then re-install the new version

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That's what I'm thinkin, too, Rod. I've had Avast free version for several years & never had a prompt to "renew". It updates automatically, so there's no reason to renew. I used to use AVG, and had a problem with it not wanting to update correctly .... so I just uninstalled it & installed Avast.

Seeker ... are you ABSOLUTELY sure that it was your Avast Antivirus program ?? The reason I ask is, there are some knockoff programs (trojans) that imitate legitimate antivirus programs ... even having names that are REAL CLOSE to the legit ones. AVG8 or something similar is one of those .... Malwarebytes will take care of it, though.

I run Avast (free) ... Malwarebytes (free) ... SuperAntiSpyware (free) ... on my home computer, and I don't fear many of the nasties that are out there. Manually update the Malwarebytes & SuperAntiSpyware programs about once a week (Avast updates daily) ... then run them, and you shouldn't have any nasties lurking in your system.

AVG, Avast, & Avira are the top downloaded antivirus (free) programs ... they trade places as #1, every now & then. Check here for free downloads of any of the programs I've mentioned :

Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

... cp

I agree with crappiepappy about avast. Used them while running windows up to 2 1/2 years ago (iMac now) and never had a renew notice from them that I can recall- all automatic updates. It is hard to do when you see a name you trust- but do not renew from those prompt windows- go to the website for that software and check it out and renew there if legit.

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Originally Posted by wwwUncle

I agree with crappiepappy about avast. Used them while running windows up to 2 1/2 years ago (iMac now) and never had a renew notice from them that I can recall- all automatic updates. It is hard to do when you see a name you trust- but do not renew from those prompt windows- go to the website for that software and check it out and renew there if legit.

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AVG updates automatically too......updating and upgrading to a new version are different......whenever the new version comes out i have to download it, but pappy is right, be very careful to what you think you are downloading, those rascals can be sneaky.......i always download to a flash drive

AVAST Software releases its new 5.1 antivirus

Went to Avast site and found this. Noticed the following sentence at end of description.

"The new 5.1 can be downloaded at avast.com. Current avast! users will automatically get the new version during scheduled updates. The new version includes avast! Free Antivirus and the paid-for avast! Pro, and the premium avast! Internet Security."

Seeker,

I just got back a while ago from fixing my brother in laws computer from this. It seems because all three versions are on there that it's trying to use all three and that will cause conflicts. I uninstalled all of it off his machine and downloaded just the free one and it seems to work fine right now, no delays at all.

Looking at the CNET site reviews a person had your exact problem.


"Works fine now, but update forced a complete re-install"

Cons: The recent update, which I performed today, basically froze my desktop.

Summary: I have run this anti-virus software with total satisfaction for quite a while, but the update froze the PC on reboot.No program would run, and even cntrl-alt-del utterly failed. I had to perform a hard shutdown followed by reboot in SAFE mode to remove Avast. After removal I did a clean install of the new program, and everything worked fine from that point. I am running Windows XP Pro with all 3 packs installed. People like me may want to avoid the update entirely and just delete and clean install

Let us know how it works out for ya

Fatman

it was the avast 5.1 and it prompted me to install it. It looked every bit like the right avast. I have seen the virus things mentioned and this was not like that, it was exactly like the first time accept just maybe a few differences. It did not do any automatic loading once I clicked it, it walked me through the steps of the download procedure and all.

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Originally Posted by wwwUncle

AVAST Software releases its new 5.1 antivirus

Went to Avast site and found this. Noticed the following sentence at end of description.

"The new 5.1 can be downloaded at avast.com. Current avast! users will automatically get the new version during scheduled updates. The new version includes avast! Free Antivirus and the paid-for avast! Pro, and the premium avast! Internet Security."

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Summary: I have run this anti-virus software with total satisfaction for quite a while, but the update froze the PC on reboot.No program would run, and even cntrl-alt-del utterly failed. (this is exactly what mine was doing it wouldnot even let me control alt delete.) Fatman not sure I am smart enough to know how to fix it. Do i just go to programs and try to remove it?

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Originally Posted by Fatman

Seeker,

I just got back a while ago from fixing my brother in laws computer from this. It seems because all three versions are on there that it's trying to use all three and that will cause conflicts. I uninstalled all of it off his machine and downloaded just the free one and it seems to work fine right now, no delays at all.

Looking at the CNET site reviews a person had your exact problem.


"Works fine now, but update forced a complete re-install"

Cons: The recent update, which I performed today, basically froze my desktop.

Summary: I have run this anti-virus software with total satisfaction for quite a while, but the update froze the PC on reboot.No program would run, and even cntrl-alt-del utterly failed. I had to perform a hard shutdown followed by reboot in SAFE mode to remove Avast. After removal I did a clean install of the new program, and everything worked fine from that point. I am running Windows XP Pro with all 3 packs installed. People like me may want to avoid the update entirely and just delete and clean install

Let us know how it works out for ya

Fatman

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Avg

Go to Add/Remove programs and do an uninstall, after that reboot and then do a download of just the free version and you should be okay. That's all I had to do on my BIL's machine.

Fatman, it is only showing one version of Avast in my programs. So if I delete it and reload it wont it still do the same thing?

I deleted avast and it no longer shows up in programs and my computer is running better, however when it first signs on to windows it has a box that says (license key is not entered)

I use this as a program uninstaller...Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download - Uninstall software, remove programs, solve uninstall problems

It does a better job than windows add/remove programs of cleaning out all traces of a program ..

Be sure and use the freeware version unless you actually want the pro (pay for) version....

Also, I never allow a pop-up to guide me thru to a download.....when I get a popup that says "Upgrade" or "update"...I close the popup and go thru the actual update feature of the program itself....

I don't even allow Windows to update automatically...I do it myself on a regular basis..

Malware is very sneaky.....and can disguise itself in ways that only technogeeks can fathom...

I ain't no technogeek..and I don't trust any popup...

Something is still there if it's asking for a program license key. I'd say do a file search for Avast and see if anything comes up, if it does delete it then clear all your cookies and temp files, reboot and re-download just the free version. You can also get this free program which will help keep your computer clean, just as an example I deleted Norton 360 trial when I first got my laptop and when I looked at add/remove programs in it, there as still Norton 36- stuff on my machine, you can get it here Advanced SystemCare Free Download Review for Windows XP/Vista/7 - IObit.

Fatman

I do not let windows update automatically either but since this was my virus protection I thought I better do it. It was not a virus, Fatman lead me in the right direction, but still something there. I might try to load that uninstall program, thanks for the link

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Originally Posted by rnvinc

I use this as a program uninstaller...Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download - Uninstall software, remove programs, solve uninstall problems

It does a better job than windows add/remove programs of cleaning out all traces of a program ..

Be sure and use the freeware version unless you actually want the pro (pay for) version....

Also, I never allow a pop-up to guide me thru to a download.....when I get a popup that says "Upgrade" or "update"...I close the popup and go thru the actual update feature of the program itself....

I don't even allow Windows to update automatically...I do it myself on a regular basis..

Malware is very sneaky.....and can disguise itself in ways that only technogeeks can fathom...

I ain't no technogeek..and I don't trust any popup...

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Yes I tried to delete Norton and symantec and it still shows up. i will try these new options.

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Originally Posted by Fatman

Something is still there if it's asking for a program license key. I'd say do a file search for Avast and see if anything comes up, if it does delete it then clear all your cookies and temp files, reboot and re-download just the free version. You can also get this free program which will help keep your computer clean, just as an example I deleted Norton 360 trial when I first got my laptop and when I looked at add/remove programs in it, there as still Norton 36- stuff on my machine, you can get it here Advanced SystemCare Free Download Review for Windows XP/Vista/7 - IObit.

Fatman

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