Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Vlk on April 26, 2005, 08:17:39 PM
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Hi all,
some of you reported an instant blue screen (or sudden reboots) after applying the latest avast program update. It turns out that this results from the program not being correctly updated (for whatever reason). To make long story short, the problem is caused by the fact that one component of avast is updated properly and second is not - and while these two components try to talk to each other, bad things start happening.
The solution is to boot into Windows Safe Mode and invoke avast program repair (or, alternatively (if this doesn't work), boot into Safe Mode, uninstall avast and then install it again).
How to boot into Safe Mode
To get into the Windows 2000/XP Safe mode as the computer is booting press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu". Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode" or "Safe Mode with Networking" and press your Enter key.
(http://www.petri.co.il/images/w2k_safemode.gif)
Note: With some computers if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting you will get a stuck key message as the computer is booting. If this occurs instead of pressing and holding the "F8 key" tap the "F8 key" continuously until you get the startup menu.
After you successfully boot into Windows Safe Mode, go to Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> avast Antivirus -> Change/Remove.
A dialog box appears, with choices on the left. The last choice is "Repair" (you usually need to scroll down the list to see it). Select it and click Next.
If the Repair procedure succeeds, you should be all set. Otherwise, use the uninstall option to remove avast. After the computer restarts (no need for Safe Mode anymore), you can reinstall avast by downloading the latest version from our web servers.
Thanks,
Vlk
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I have done F8 and get the the screen you showed. When I select safe mode, I either go back to the same screen (safe mode options) or to BSOD again!
:'(
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Odd, i didn't get any blue screen appearing, does this problem effect everyone who has updated thier avast?
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Odd, i didn't get any blue screen appearing, does this problem effect everyone who has updated thier avast?
Of course not... Some systems are in trouble... Thanks God not all of them 8)
In fact, I never get a BSOD because of avast! :)
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totts, can you be a bit more specific? I don't understand what your saying. Are you saying that you can't boot into Safe Mode? That the machine simply restarts while booting into Safe Mode? Because that sounds bad but very unlikely to be caused by avast (because in Safe Mode, none of its drivers get loaded).
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I cannot even get into safe mode! I have been advised by colleagues that I need to reformat and then load XP again. :'(
I think this is what I will have to do, thank you very much for your advice and for taking the time to help :)
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I cannot even get into safe mode! I have been advised by colleagues that I need to reformat and then load XP again. :'(
I think this is what I will have to do, thank you very much for your advice and for taking the time to help :)
This is sad but, like Vlk, I think it's not related to avast...
You should corrupt the zero track (MBR, etc.) of the hard disk, or mess the boot loader. As you say, you don't receive even an error message...
Did you have another antivirus installed in your computer? Did you use Norton GoBack?
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I had Norton, but wasn't actually using it.
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Hi Totts,
Sorry for your troubles, but you may wanna try a few more things before reformatting and starting from scratch. I agree w/ others that this severe a prob at such an early stage of boot indicates Avast is not the main issue.
Do you have a boot CD and/or your XP Install CD handy ? You might want to boot to a dos prompt using a floppy boot disc, then type chkdsk c: /F This will start a scan of your C: drive (I'm assuming this is the drive or partition you have XP installed on), check for and attempt to fix errors on the drive. After it's done, if it tells you it has found and repaired errors you might want to try re-boot (with the floppy removed from the A drive) and see if things work any better. If not, you might want to try and boot up using your XP Install disc. There is a repair installation option that you will notice after the install program starts and sees that there is an existing install of XP on the disc. If this works for you it would be a lot faster than reformatting and starting from scratch. . . .
good luck ! Google will point you to plentiful references on these subjects if you desire additional data.
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Odd, i didn't get any blue screen appearing, does this problem effect everyone who has updated thier avast?
Of course not... Some systems are in trouble... Thanks God not all of them 8)
In fact, I never get a BSOD because of avast! :)
Fewf I'm sweating like crazy when I saw this topic, thank goodness. But I'm sure I'm not safe just yet :-\ I hope you guys can find someway to resolve this issue.
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Will try that, thanks
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Your fix - REPAIR Avast works for me - thanks.
My Win2k system was freezing the mouse today, often when moving over icons in I.E. or VB6 after I installed the 4.6.652 upgrade earlier today. I had rebooted maybe four times before thinking I had trouble and then defragged my drive. Then I read this forum topic.
Sweated a bit when a soft reboot would not load Windows but a cold start did and then in Safe mode I repaired Avast and restarted.
As I had already tried disk defrag and adding to the size of virtual memory before looking at this forum topic, it now looks like the system is better responsive than it has been in months.
Dell 350Mhz Intel
Win2000
512Mb ram
20Gb disk 85% full which had a lot of fragged files
cablemodem
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I just received an email that says:
You have just been sent a personal message by john lui on avast!WEBforum.
IMPORTANT: Remember, this is just a notification. Please do not reply to this email.
The message they sent you was:
hi y all,
just do it:
start/panel control/system/advanced/performance/configuration/data prevention execution. set second option and add ashserv.exe in the avast directory.
that's all!!!
Is this a genuine email and information or a hoax? Can someone please advise, thanks :)
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Is this a genuine email and information or a hoax? Can someone please advise, thanks :)
At least, it's public in other avast forums: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=11945.0;topicseen
You can test it if you have this ashserv.exe error while shutting down.
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Is this a genuine email and information or a hoax? Can someone please advise, thanks :)
There is every likelihood that it is genuine, but without being able to check the header information of the email no one can be 100%.
In your Profile settings, you can opt to be emailed if you receive a personal message, you can disable this option. One way to check that the email was genuine and sent by the avast forums notification of personal messages and you should see a personal message from the person named in the email. View your personal messages and check.
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start/panel control/system/advanced/performance/configuration/data prevention execution.
set second option and add ashserv.exe in the avast directory.
This is supposed to be a solution for ashServ.exe error at shutdown.
Can anybody from Alwil confirm this?
Which changes is security is being done by this procedure (changing DEP and excluding avast! there)?
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This is supposed to be a solution for ashServ.exe error at shutdown.
I doubt it. :-\
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This is supposed to be a solution for ashServ.exe error at shutdown.
I doubt it. :-\
Ok, why? Is this a hoax? Is this a security hole (I mean, excluding ashServ.exe from Data Prevention feature)?
Can you teach us, Igor?
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Well, I simply don't think the problem has anything to do with DEP feature (which, unless I'm wrong, is available for real only on AMD64 and equal CPUs). The ashServ.exe crash on shutdown occurs when reading/writing an invalid block of memory - not when executing it.
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I don't exactly remember where I saw it but although DEP is suposedly for AMD64 chips, it is still available as a setting within windows xp for most AMD chips (even my lowly Duron), and as far as I'm aware is on by default in windows xp.
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Correction:
REPAIR does not appear to have completely fixed the problem.
See my email here three days ago.
In a period of two days I have had a mouse freeze up twice, which is much less than before I REPAIRed the avast application.
When the mouse freezes I can still ctrl-alt from window to window but not type any characters.
I can alt-F4 to kill each page and ultimately alt-F4 to restart
The problem 'seems' to be caused by moving the mouse over web pages with active buttons e.g. Check Mail in Yahoo webmail
At the most recent time I had
Windows Explorer
Yahoo mail in I.E.6
A webpage manager for a website in I.E.6
and two notepad pages open
27 processes in Taskmanager
memusage 143332K/751972K
cpu usage 1%
total physical 261688K
Avail 120076
Cache 147760
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Well I have gone into safe mode, uninstalled avast, re-installed it from original download, got new reg number, now if I ask it to check for updates it says cannot connect to server and freezes.
What am I doing wrong please
I did try to repair in safe mode but it would not work
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Well I have gone into safe mode, uninstalled avast, re-installed it from original download, got new reg number, now if I ask it to check for updates it says cannot connect to server and freezes.
Do you use a firewall? Which one?
Into the firewall settings, the following programs should be allowed to connect:
ashServ.exe (avast! antivirus service)
ashWebSv.exe (avast! Web Scanner)
ashMaiSv.exe (avast! e-Mail Scanner Service)
ashUpdSv.exe (avast! Update Service)
avast.setup (avast! Update executable)
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Thank you
I have zone alarm running (the home version) any idea where I put these files please
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I have zone alarm running (the home version) any idea where I put these files please
Into the Programs tab settings of ZA.
But if you did not change the ZA settings, it should 'ask' you when a program wants to connect and you could allow them.
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Thanks
that worked
I am now 'cooking on avast'
however one thing, the little icon in the tray at the bottom right had corner has gone. How do I get it back again
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however one thing, the little icon in the tray at the bottom right had corner has gone. How do I get it back again
Fix tool for missing tray icons!
Download it here: http://freeweb.siol.net/razor256/downloads/aswTrayIconFix.zip
Download it and extract aswTrayIconFix.exe anywhere you want.
Run it and just click Fix button. Log off and log in again or simply restart your PC and icons should be back again. The program is standalone extract&use (although it looks like installer).
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I have had to reformat and reinstall XP. Lost heaps of photos, music etc. Will not take the risk with avast again..
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I have had to reformat and reinstall XP. Lost heaps of photos, music etc. Will not take the risk with avast again..
Sorry... maybe patience could guide you to a solution... but, now, you've formated... :'(
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I tried both solutions, and unfortunately neither worked (repair and uninstall/reinstall). Is there something else I can do?
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Is there something else I can do?
Can you see if in the folder \windows\minidump there is any .mdmp file?
If so, can you send the newest (recent) .mdmp files for analysis?
Better if you can compress (zip) them and add some information about the BSOD and the link for this thread. ;)
Send an email to any of these addresses:
vlk (at) avast.com
rypacek (at) asw.cz
Or upload to the any of these anonymous ftp servers:
ftp://ftp.asw.cz/incoming
ftp://www2.asw.cz/incoming
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Can you see if in the folder \windows\minidump there is any .mdmp file?
I don't even have that folder. I don't even have any .mdmp files on my computer, so I can't help you there.
As I mentioned before, the problem doesn't happen all the time. Only when:
1. I right click a file and try to do a virus scan on the particular folder/file.
2. I do a thourough scan with the scan archives checked.
Hope that helps you guys. Look forward to hearing from ya!
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1. I right click a file and try to do a virus scan on the particular folder/file.
Which file? Which folder? Can you post here the full path of them?
2. I do a thourough scan with the scan archives checked.
Again, can you identify which archive file is freezing the scanning?
Additionally, you can go to the program settings and turn on the creation of the report file (with "OK files" to be included as well in the report). This way, you can find out where the scan really stopped (it's going to be close to the end of the report).
After avast! disappears, check the end of the report file - the "troublesome" file is likely to be close to the end (close in the sense that this particular file will probably not be written in the report, but the previous one will be the last line, so it shouldn't be hard to guess). We would certainly like to have this file - if it really causes problems to avast! - so that we could fix the problem.
The report file created (if you turned it on in program settings) will be (default location) at <avast4>\Data\Report\Simple User Interface.txt
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I don't see freezing mentioned anywhere... I don't think the report file would help much for bluescreens (the report wouldn't get saved, I guess).
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"Which file? Which folder? Can you post here the full path of them?"
Any file or folder. It happens with everyone I right click and select virus scan with avast.
I'll try with the report file, and see if it shows me where the problem is. Fill you all in afterwards.
Thanks again
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It happens with everyone I right click and select virus scan with avast.
This is bad...
Do you use any other antivirus in your system?
Can you disable using skins with the Explorer Extension and then see if you can scan the files?
(Right click the 'a' blue icon, choose Program Settings > Common page)
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And why in the world posting a reply to the effect of infuriating other users? I mean, is there any USE at all in posting a comment like "I don't have blue screen, avast never cause them for me?" Where is the goal of such a message exactly if not creating a sense of anger because others are having trouble and somehow HE is above it all?
The thread was started because there is a PROBLEM, not because people want to know that others are not having a problem. So if you can't post something constructive, whether you being a simple user or even a moderator, don't post!
Now, for that task at hands. There is a PROBLEM presently, a very SERIOUS problem. This is caused but AVAST and nothing else. There is no NEED for anyone to delete everything on their HD when the problem is originating from one single application.
This morning, I woke and a few hours later went into the station just to realize that it wasn't working. After multiple reboots, I could clearly see that the antivirus engine just wouldn't initialize at all. Thus, that lead my to believe it had a serious problem and so I tried to REPAIR it. To no avail, REPAIR would not do anything at all, just 1 second of work and it said that avast was repaired which I know couldn't be the case.
After MULTIPLE install and de-install of Avast. I realized that, each time I would UPDATE its virus engine, BANG! Everything on my computer stopped working.
There is a SERIOUS problem with the updates presently. This is not a Windows related problem, not a Win2K/XP problem, it is an Avast problem.
At present time, my computer is vulnerable and I cannot accept this to go on for more than a day or two before I decide to switch from Avast to another antivirus for the world "out there" is just way too dangerous to work on a computer which is unprotected.
So now, this is a CONSTRUCTIVE opinion.
avast user.
oh.. and just in case the "automated" questions comes up like, have you another antivirus or ever had one in the past.. blah blah blah. No. No. No. This problem start today, latest update. I had no problems yesterday, I had no problems a month ago and the many months before that. Avast as always been fairly stable (doesn't mean it doesn't explode in my face from time to time, it does). But this problem ONLY starts when I update the virus engine. The moment it is update, everything stops on the computer. I reboot, it puts itself into red circle mode. I repair, nothing works any better.
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Welcome to the forums, NarcAngel.
I am sure you do not know Tech well at all on these forums or you would understand he does not intend to create a sense of anger. Tech has also had his share of problems, gotten help from others here, and has never given me the impression of thinking "he is above it all." That being said, it probably would have been better to have started a new post of your problem instead of flaming someone and then asking for help. ::)
Anyway, you can try this ......
1 - Uninstall avast in the normal way through Add/Remove
2 - Download and use the Avast Uninstaller utility to be sure the uninstall is complete. The normal uninstall usually works but occationally, it does not. The utility is here ..... http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_uninstall_util.html
3 - Download the lastest avast program directly from the website and do a completely new install. It can be found here ... http://www.avast.com/eng/programs.html
I hope this helps you.
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Didn't I stated that I have uninstalled Avast on multiple occasions? I think, about 6 times by now actually witch double the amount of rebooting.
As far as Tech comments are concerned, they were merited and had to be inside this thread for they concerned only this thread. My intentions are not to "flame" someone but to communicate my concern when I see someone posting a comment or comments in regard of a problem but the comment has nothing at all to do with the present problem or simply brings nothing constructive as to bring a remedy to the problem.
I have not used the avast uninstaller nor do exactly see its point since I'm reinstalling the same software? What would be the point to use it if not because we wanted to install another antivirus or are you actually telling me that avast could conflict with avast? I mean... seems like this would be a strange logical paradox there.
As far as getting the latest version, I never do that until long after I am sure this software is proven stable. I'm using version 4.5 for it has been (mostly) stable and I can rely on it for not using valuble productive time.
Now, this said, it does not explain why there is a present update problem, an issue you have not even discussed in your reply.
And yes, as you can obviously see at present time, the computer works perfectly as Avast is not updated (same engine as 2005-02-18). Thus, in my opinion, any problem solving work should be geered toward this update problem and not uninstalling the program itself. And so, I would (with some degree of confidence) state that this is a corruption from the server (meaning from Avast itself), and so the problem is not client-side but from you guys.
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Hello and welcome NarcAngel
First why don't you start a new topic about your problem, it will be better that to blood an old one which I see there is nothing to do with your problem ;)
As far as getting the latest version, I never do that until long after I am sure this software is proven stable. I'm using version 4.5 for it has been (mostly) stable and I can rely on it for not using valuble productive time.
It is strongly recomendet to update your version to the latest 4.6.763 - version 4.5 is older than one year and I can assume you that the latest version is very stable ;)
I have not used the avast uninstaller nor do exactly see its point since I'm reinstalling the same software? What would be the point to use it if not because we wanted to install another antivirus or are you actually telling me that avast could conflict with avast? I mean... seems like this would be a strange logical paradox there.
Well there is a little difference in uninstall->boot->install->boot ;)
Sometimes some parts may be damaged and even repairing doesn't help and in this cases the uninstall/boot/install/boot solves the problems ;)
Uninstall your current version, download the latest one and install it(Charley0 gave you the link) , if this doesn't help write back ;)
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BUT, did you use the uninstaller utility? The avast program on your computer may now be corrupted in some way by all the uninstalls/re-installs you have done. We are trying to correct the problem and not debate how many times you have done this or that. I am sorry, but, you do not seem to see the point of many things you think you already know.
From NarcAngel:
As far as Tech comments are concerned, they were merited and had to be inside this thread for they concerned only this thread.
From CharleyO:
That being said, it probably would have been better to have started a new post of your problem instead of flaming someone and then asking for help.
If you wanted to post comments in this post, that is up to you. My statement above concerns your problem and the probablility of getting better help in a new post. ::)
Too late for that now.
Well, I have tried to help but you seem unresponsive or unwilling to try what may work to solve your problem. So, this is my last post of help in this thread.
Perhaps someone else will be willing to help you. I hope so because it is very evident that you need help.
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Once again, and I am quite afraid I will repeat myself. This does not answer in any way, shape or form the problems regarding the updates issue. I will try and use the uninstaller and see the results which will, of course, mean other reboots.
As far is the rest is concerns, you are now mixing in emotions with your responses. This/these comments of mine do not concern you they concerned the person who posted the comments, thus you are not a party to this issue. I have gone the extra mile in reporting the post and hope that matter will take their own course from there. Now, if you take these issues at a personal level, that is your problem and not mine. I can just as easily separate personal problems from professional ones, and when someone is not happy about my service, I try and do better the next time around. I believe that criticism is HIGHLY important in this world, and how one takes criticism reflects on one's ability or inability to improve one's self and there is just nothing I can do to change that.
Albeit, I still thank you for taking time yourself in responding and trying to help in the way you judge best fit. As for me, if this issue with Avast update comes up again, I am afraid that I will have to move on to another AV engine eventhough I must say that I have been quite impressed with this AV which I find much better than say Syman... AV engine.
By my questions, you derive that I somehow "know more", being judgemental. If I came here, if I registered, if I took the time to post, these were all steps I took so I could resolve an issue. I didn't come here to start a "fight" I just saw something which I believe firmly to be an inappropriate post, and that's all. And if this is too much for you to being able to separate these emotions from your helping abilities, then it is not a problem for me that you do not wish to help me any further as I see it a problem for you to deal with these issues in a professional manner.
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I am sorry to say that I have no success.
I have tried the avast uninstaller (aswclear.exe) and after countless reboots (way too many actually), I must conclude there is a serious problem server-side. The very moment I start updating the data base (around a 2.5mb d/l) and when the update is activated the computer ceases to work. It is a controlled crash where you can still move the mouse but everything you click on will freeze.
I made a mistake earlier in stating that I have version 2.5 when I have version 2.6 actually, my mistake. As of now, I have permanently uninstalled avast and believe this matter as being an high priority issue regarding the technical team. I am guessing that I cannot be the only person with this issue, and that there will probably some more feedback to come. My hope is, of course, that I would be one of the rare one with this issue. Avast as been a pretty good AV engine so far, I've had some issues lately regarding some problems with the module webscanner, but beside it everything else worked fairly stabled.
I have installed another AV engine from a competitor and will remain with this engine in the meanwhile for I will check the board from time to time to see if the issue as being worked out. I just cannot go on and lose time like this, too many reboots today, around 20. And so I believe I have made the effort in debugging this issue, although to no avail.
Thanks again for taking time and replying to my issues.
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NarcAngel,
I completely understand how you are upset about the wasted time because of this issue you have had. I am sorry to hear that you have moved to another antivirus, so far I do not think anyone has had this issue that you have had but I am not positive. You say that you did indeed have version 4.6? If so did you have the latest?
P.S. Just out of curiosity what other antivirus did you switch to?