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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: leneee on November 27, 2012, 03:55:03 AM

Title: Windows 7 Crashing
Post by: leneee on November 27, 2012, 03:55:03 AM

Hi:

I installed Avast today; and it keeps crashing my machine. I am running Win 7 x64 on a Sony VAIO. I uninstalled it and things seem back to normal.

I was previously using McFree and AVG, but uninstalled both and still no luck.

Please let me know if anyone has any ideas ?


Thanks!

Title: Re: Windows 7 Crashing
Post by: Nesivos on November 27, 2012, 04:38:22 AM

Quote from: leneee on November 27, 2012, 03:55:03 AM

Hi:

I installed Avast today; and it keeps crashing my machine. I am running Win 7 x64 on a Sony VAIO. I uninstalled it and things seem back to normal.

I was previously using McFree and AVG, but uninstalled both and still no luck.

Please let me know if anyone has any ideas ?


Thanks!

Did you use the McAfee and AVG uninstaller software to uninstall them?.   McAfree in particular leaves a lot of garbage on your computer if you use the Windows or a 3rd Party uninstaller to uninstall it.

Someone else should be along who can tell you what tools to use to completely uninstall McAfee and AVG.

Title: Re: Windows 7 Crashing
Post by: Marc57 on November 27, 2012, 05:16:36 AM

Go here to download and run the uninstallers for McAfee and AVG. Then try to install Avast.

http://singularlabs.com/uninstallers/security-software/

Title: Re: Windows 7 Crashing
Post by: TheHulk on November 27, 2012, 12:27:32 PM

You not alone

having the same problem on my windows 7 64bit machine

did use the cleaning tools and still no luck

now with AVG....

Title: Re: Windows 7 Crashing
Post by: leneee on November 28, 2012, 01:27:01 AM

Hi all:

Thanks so much for the help. I tried using the clean-up tools; but still no luck. I really want to try Avast, as it is o highly rated on CNET. But, guess I will have to revert to AVG. :(


Cheers!

Title: Re: Windows 7 Crashing
Post by: mchain on November 28, 2012, 02:08:02 AM

hi leneee & TheHulk,

It is important that the singularlabs link be used for every prior version of a/v ever present on a system.  McAfee, in particular, must have their removal tool run more than once (like three or four times) to ensure it is completely gone.  Learned from experience here and from others about this one.  One shot does not do it sometimes.

After each run, reboot!

You do have the option of having a malware expert look your system over to remove any old a/v remnant files left behind as well.  If you are interested in pursuing that venue, then post back if you want.  We do not care if you come in saying you are currently running Norton, help will still be rendered to you.

Of course, do all work whilst offline, to ensure safety.

If you feel up to it, and know what you are doing, you can use Microsoft's Autoruns utility to look for drivers starting on boot related to prior a/v's installed.  Research the driver names using this site:  http://www.threatexpert.com/ (http://www.threatexpert.com/)  Use the site search button to confirm your driver is indeed left over from an old a/v.  Reports are available for clean as well as malicious files.

Google is also helpful here.

Autoruns here:  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx)  Don't do overmuch with this utility; if system is running ok then least minimum needed is best.  Some drivers you must leave alone, as they are critical for the proper functioning of Windows.