Unknown Error. Skin is not complete.

[rowdog007007007]

Greetings all,

As of recently I have been running across a weird error that is keeping my avast virus scanner from booting up.  Once it goes through the memory test, it comes up with.

Unknown Error.
Skin is not complete.  Look at the following description:
Skin is not loaded properly.

I have tried a repair install, as well as selecting different skins, and even trying a new one from the site, but none of that has worked.

Has anyone come across this before, or have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[Tech]

Do you use any other security program? Firewall?
Can you run ashsimp2.exe from avast folder?

avast 5 won't be skinable and will be gold by the end of November.
You can uninstall and install again version 4... but I won't worry that much if the protection (ashServ.exe) is running.

[rowdog007007007]

As of recently I started running Avira AntiVir (I did this after the problem started, as I was worried I was exposed).  I was a little worried that I might have somehow caught a trojan, that was holding the avast scanner shut, so hence I installed Avira.  However, the problem did start before hand, the only difference was, I was not getting the error box at that point.  I was also having XP load slow, and hang for 30 secs at bootup trying to read from the floppy.  Only to then hang after the XP splash screen.  This has since (mostly) been resolved.

I have since been given a clean bill of health virus-wise on another forum (geeks to go)......so I was just hoping to get avast fixed, and ditching Avira.  A little more background though, is that I am unable to get to the scanner at all due to this issue.

You are correct, I am able to run the ashsimp2.exe, and that scanner does pop up (was not even aware of that scanner, so ty for that info)

Also, ashServ.exe is running in the background.


One last thing to note......and this problem did only arise once Avira was installed......I have been getting this popping up from Avira here and there (usually when I attempt to run a scan with it)

Virus or unwanted program 'TR/Crypt.XPACK.Gen [trojan]'
detected in file 'C:\WINDOWS\Temp\_avast4_\unp243563230.tmp.
Action performed: Deny access

The gentleman that assisted me on Geeks to Go said that the file was actually a virus definition update for Avast.  I just wanted to verify if this is correct, cause if so, I will allow it, and uninstall Avira entirely.

Thanks again for the help and quick reply.

[Tech]

Yes. That file is clean.
You SHOULDN'T run avast and Avira at the same time in the same computer.
Two antivirus will conflict and, in fact, they could fight each other to block and file and neither of them is effective.

Be used to avast forum response speed

[rowdog007007007]

Excellent.  I had a feeling that might be the case, but I just didn't want to chance it.  I should have known better though, as Avast is hands down the best virus scanner/resident protection I have ever used hehe.   I am going to go ahead and uninstall Avira now, and I assume that the file it has been blocking, will no longer be blocked, and move to where it needs to be.

Thanks again, and very appreciative of the help, and not to mention the speed at which it came.

[Tech]

You can try, after uninstalling Avira, an installation from the scratch:

1. Download the latest version of avast! Uninstall Utility and save it.
2. Download the latest avast! version and save it.
3. Uninstall avast from Control Panel (if possible). If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after that.
4. Run the avast! Uninstall Utility saved on 1. If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after you've run it.
5. Install avast! using the setup saved on 2. It will be good to accept the boot time scanning. Boot.
6. Check and post the results.

[rowdog007007007]

That worked like a charm.  It is now popping up the scanner like it used to correctly.   Very happy to have my good old Avast back and working as normal.  Thank you very much for all your help.

[S-100]

Well, what the heck?!  I haven't had Avira on my computer since before I got Avast. I haven't gotten this error before tonight, and I've been using Avast for a long time now.

[rowdog007007007]

Well, I don't believe it was even Avira that caused it in my case either.  It began happening before I install Avira, in fact I only installed it once it started happening because I was worried I was left exposed.  However, try the step Tech listed in message #5 of this post.  It worked like a charm for me.

[S-100]

I don't want to uninstall/reinstall if I don't absolutely have to. That's a major pain in the ass and seems unnecessary.

I right-clicked, went to Program Settings, unchecked "Enable skins for Simple User Interface", and it will now start up without the error, but of course there will be no fancy skin on the scanner.

It goes right back to having that error if you check that option though. There should be an easier way to fix this.

[rowdog007007007]

Well, I can understand that, the only real insight I can offer, is once again something Tech said eariler in the post, as I am in no say an Avast tech expert in any way....

"avast 5 won't be skinable and will be gold by the end of November.
You can uninstall and install again version 4... but I won't worry that much if the protection (ashServ.exe) is running."

So it sounds like you at least got it working for the time being.