Author Topic: Service not running, and hang on boot  (Read 5324 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

perky

  • Guest
Service not running, and hang on boot
« on: December 02, 2010, 01:08:27 PM »
Hi All,

I installed Avast 5 (free version). This seemd to install and run fine, but when I rebooted the PC it hung at the XP logo page. Rebooting with last good configuration worked, but then the Avast service wasn't running. Pressing 'Fix now' didn't work, neither did trying to restart the service manually (which reported the service had started but then stopped again), nor did repairing the  installation.

I tried the usual things, repaired the install, unistalled using the separate unistaller and installed the latest version. I followed all the procedures I could find on this forum, still no joy.

I also tried installing in safe mode (the service then didn't run then but that might be due to other service dependencies).

I'm at a loss. I see this is a common problem and from sime time back as well. Has this been resolved?

I'm curious how installing Avast from fresh could result in a working system, but then re-booting causes the PC to hang at the XP logo and why the service doesn't seem to start (actually why the service starts then immediately stops).

Thanks!
Mark.

YoKenny

  • Guest
Re: Service not running, and hang on boot
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2010, 02:03:31 PM »
How much RAM does the system have ???

What is the CPU type and speed ???

Do you have XP Service Pack 3 with all the latest updates ???

perky

  • Guest
Re: Service not running, and hang on boot
« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2010, 03:32:53 PM »
2G RAM, Mobile Pentium 4 CPU 2.8GHz.

XP SP3, but I have to confess it's missing a lot of updates (due to httpproxy settings being inconsistent with browser settings, it seems Windows Update uses the system httpproxy settings not the browser settings).

So I think I should completely update XP first. This might take a while as I don't want to break my machine while I'm in the middle of an important project.

Thanks for the input!  ;)

Mark.

SafeSurf

  • Guest
Re: Service not running, and hang on boot
« Reply #3 on: December 03, 2010, 08:35:52 AM »
I suggest the following:

A. Enable Windows Defender (WD) while Avast is not working.  Normally with XP I do not recommend that you use WD, but you need some type of AV protection until Avast is working.

B. "Disable" (not "delete") any unnecessary items in your Start Up to help speed things along.

C.  When you installed Avast 5.0 but then went back to you last good configuration, this is where things may have gotten messed up with your prior version of Avast or another AV. 
Did you use a different AV on this machine?  If so, what was it and how did you remove it?  You need to use the vendor's uninstaller's tool and NOT a third-party uninstaller or cleanser. 
- If you used another AV other than Avast, please post and let us know PRIOR to you doing an uninstall/clean install of Avast so we can properly give you the uninstaller tool for that AV.

D. Once you get your MS Updates done, then you will need to uninstall Avast and do a clean install:

1. Save a copy of newest version of Avast (5.0.677) for the version you need and save it to your HDD:
Freehttp://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free_eng.exe
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 4.0 and 5.0).
3. Disconnect from the Internet at this time.
4. Go to Control Panel and uninstall Avast through Add/Remove Programs if possible and reboot.
5. If Step 4 fails, boot into Safe Mode (hit F8 repeatedly) and run the Avast Uninstall Tool.  You will need to uninstall BOTH 4.0 and 5.0 if you had both versions on your machine.
6. Reboot.
7. Install the newest version of Avast and reboot.
8. Get Internet access and register your copy for Free:
    Free – http://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus.php
9. Update the Avast definitions.  Leave your setting at default for now.

E.  You can uninstall or disable WD at this time.  Instead I recommend using Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware (MBAM), which you can download free http://www.malwarebytes.org/ (the blue button) for an on-demand scanner.

F. Run Avast scans and do an MBAM scan (update MBAM prior to scanning every time) to make sure you are malware-free at this time.

G. Keep your software up to date with free Secunia Software Inspector http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/, which will scan your software to make sure you have the latest security patches.  This site gives you the vendor's direct download to make updating easy and many of us here scan our systems weekly since software changes so frequently.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thank you.

perky

  • Guest
Re: Service not running, and hang on boot
« Reply #4 on: December 03, 2010, 11:25:14 AM »
Thanks SafeSurf! I'll try the steps you suggested.

BTW I used to have AVG Free 2011. I removed it with their separate removal tool. You might have your own removal tool for this in case that has not done a complete job (?).

I already use your removal tool for Avast, and I've never had V4 installed before.

It will take me some time to fully update XP and I'm in the middle of an important project so I'll enable WD in the meantime.

Thanks again!

Mark.

SafeSurf

  • Guest
Re: Service not running, and hang on boot
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2010, 11:56:12 PM »
BTW I used to have AVG Free 2011. I removed it with their separate removal tool. You might have your own removal tool for this in case that has not done a complete job (?).
I've got the tool you need.  Here is the AVG uninstaller tool: http://www.avg.com/us-en/download-tools, then reboot

I understand about needing time to get your other updates done.  Just let me know when you are ready to proceed by posting back in this thread.  Thank you.