Avast WEBforum
Other => General Topics => Topic started by: MrLewk on March 25, 2013, 12:01:37 AM
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Hi, is anyone else having this issue? I had Avast free installed and working fine for a while (since the last time this happened!) and suddenly I noticed it is saying my licence has expired - which I then notice that my Avast is now the "pro" version and is asking me for a paid licence or to start a trial!
I clicked "renew now" without looking properly first, which then only gave me 12 days of trial period. I then tried to update the program as it was giving me an error about updating due to the license, and suddenly the trial period went to zero days and the renew button asks for payment to renew.
This happened recently already and I had to get the Avast safe mode uninstaller to clear it and get the free version back, and now it's happened again only a few weeks later! If it wasn't for the update failing (due to invalid license) I wouldn't have realised I was unprotected and who knows what virus' could have got on my computer in the mean time.
Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a fix?
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Can't help you with a fix. I'm desperately looking for one myself!
Exactly the same thing has happened to me.
Haven't been able to uninstall, note even with the Avast safe mode uninstaller, or re-install.
Have therefore no working antivirus cover as the Provirus I paid for on 22/3 isn't working either (it's impossible to insert the licence key).
CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME PLEASE???? :'(
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Haven't been able to uninstall, note even with the Avast safe mode uninstaller, or re-install.
why.....what errors
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It's all in Swedish so there's probably no point in copying and pasting (get seveal different messages too), but when uninstalling on the Avast safe mode I get a confirmation that the programme has been removed, but after rebooting the Avast logo is still down near the clock and is crossed over.
Re-booting has to be done several times before it works, as it usually just leads to a completely black screen. Same thing happens after rebooting after running Windows Repair.
Have tried re-installing the Pro version, but when I try to complete with the licence key I get a message that the "file isn't found".
All this started on Friday 22/3 after I got a message saying that my subscription to Pro had expired and need to be updated, although in fact I had no Ori subscriotuion, having only run the free version very successfully for many years.
Sorry to be so completely untechnicalin explaining what's happening!
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It's all in Swedish so there's probably no point in copying and pasting
joho.....jeg er veldig flink og lese svensk. ;)
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Re-run the uninstall process
Lets reinstall Avast
Download Uninstall Utility (http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility) to your Desktop.
Download the correct version of Avast
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe
Disconnect from the net
Uninstall Avast via control panel
- Boot to Safe Mode.
- Restart the computer.
- As soon as BIOS is loaded begin tapping the F8 key until the Advanced Options menu appears.
- Use the arrow keys to select the Safe mode with Networking menu item
- Press Enter.
- Run aswClear
- In the Select Product to Uninstall dropdown choose the version of Avast that is on your system.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/aswclear.JPG)
- Press Uninstall
- Once complete reboot your system to Normal Mode
- Reinstall Avast
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Thank you Essexboy. It worked this time round.
Tried yesterday and tearlier today to do exactly the same without any success, but now it worked.
Must be your magic touch. Thanks.
Didn't risk trying the Pro version, as that was what seemed to start all this mess in the first place.
Thanks again.
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;D
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Re-run the uninstall process
Lets reinstall Avast
Download Uninstall Utility (http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility) to your Desktop.
Download the correct version of Avast
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe
Disconnect from the net
Uninstall Avast via control panel
- Boot to Safe Mode.
- Restart the computer.
- As soon as BIOS is loaded begin tapping the F8 key until the Advanced Options menu appears.
- Use the arrow keys to select the Safe mode with Networking menu item
- Press Enter.
- Run aswClear
- In the Select Product to Uninstall dropdown choose the version of Avast that is on your system.
- Press Uninstall
- Once complete reboot your system to Normal Mode
- Reinstall Avast
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I've done this twice before already, and yet Avast! keeps randomly going to Pro version despite the fact I have the *free* version installed! I will start the computer and get a red popup saying my pro version has expired and can't update, but I've never even installed the Pro!
I'll try this again though just so I can have some anti-virus protection, but it doesn't seem to be a long term fix.
(PS - is there a way to get notified of replies here? I couldn't seem to find an option)
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(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1364825289267-88899.png)
Hope that helps. :)
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(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1364825289267-88899.png)
Hope that helps. :)
Thanks! ;D
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You're welcome. :)
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I have a question - that I hope should be posted here and if not I do apologize.
I turned on my pc this afternoon and a box came up telling me that my trial period for the pro version has not been activated. I do know that the free version stated that there was an update and that it was installed within the past day or two but I did not click to install the pro version at any time. I went to the control panel and it states that the version installed was installed on 3/11/13 and it is version 7.0.1483 but if I click on the icon in my system tray it is stating that the version installed is 8.0.1483.
So I don't get it. How is it that the icon for the anti-virus is stating that version 8.0.1483 (pro version) is installed but that is not what is showing up in the control panel of the computer.
So what should I be doing - should I do a clean uninstall of the anti-virus program as you has suggested and then installed the current free version or is there something else I should do first?
Thanks So VERY Much
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Okay that box popped up again and what it is actually saying is avast! Information Your subscription for Avast Internet security has expired. As a result, the program will not download any further updates and there is a renew now icon to click on
and if I click on the icon in the system tray and select subscription information I get a screen stating Avast Free Antivirus Trial Period not activated with an icon to activate trial period and under that it states Trial Period could not be activated - 10 days remaining. I did click on the activate trial period and now it states that I can 30 days but I don't get it since I did not click to install that internet security pro version and when I had originally clicked on insert license file the screen for select a file from my desktop popped up.
I don't understand what is going on here. I have never had an issue before
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Okay that box popped up again and what it is actually saying is avast! Information Your subscription for Avast Internet security has expired. As a result, the program will not download any further updates and there is a renew now icon to click on
and if I click on the icon in the system tray and select subscription information I get a screen stating Avast Free Antivirus Trial Period not activated with an icon to activate trial period and under that it states Trial Period could not be activated - 10 days remaining. I did click on the activate trial period and now it states that I can 30 days but I don't get it since I did not click to install that internet security pro version and when I had originally clicked on insert license file the screen for select a file from my desktop popped up.
I don't understand what is going on here. I have never had an issue before
This is exactly what happened to me - twice now! I've just had to follow the above instructions to fix it so far, nothing else seems to work and there's no telling how long the "fix" will last.
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The "fix" doesn't last because as soon as you have to re-boot e. after a Windows or Adobe update the Pro warning is back again "your subscription has expired and no updates are possible". Yesterday following the uninstall instructions above didn't help either, as I couldn't uninstall Avast properly. Just got a black screen with cursor after completing the removal. Had to then switch of teh power as nothing else helped. Eventually managed to re-boot and the Pro expiry warning sign was back again! Want to remove Avast free V8 completely anfd go back to Version 7, but don't know how.......
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I was able to uninstall that software without any issues by following the steps that had been given to uninstall and then reinstall the software (given by essexboy - 6th post in this topic) which were as follows
Download Uninstall Utility to your Desktop. http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility)
Download the correct version of Avast ( the link that I gave is for the avast free version #8 )
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe (http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe)
Disconnect from the net
Boot to Safe Mode by
Restarting the computer.
As soon as BIOS is loaded begin tapping the F8 key until the Advanced Options menu appears.
Use the arrow keys to select the Safe mode with Networking menu item
Press Enter.
Run aswClear
In the Select Product to Uninstall dropdown choose the version of Avast that is on your system.
Press Uninstall
Once complete reboot your system to Normal Mode
Reinstall Avast
I then restarted the computer and all was working fine. My problem was that it took a few hours before I got the new key for the one year registration but I now have that (which I entered by following the instructions in the email) and then shut down the pc for the night.
I just turned on my pc and all is still working without any issues (knock on wood). I am now using the avast free version 8 which is what that above link gave me.
If you want to get version 7 back I do know that you can find that at this link - http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/13608/ if that does not take you directly to the version that you want then just look down the list of versions available (on the right hand side) and click on that version and it will take you to the download for the version that you are interested in using.
I hope that I too don't start having the same problem again but if I do I will go back to the version 7 as well.
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My problem was that it took a few hours before I got the new key for the one year registration
Why didn't you do the registration direct following the installation of the program. ???
http://youtu.be/V0P3JFfBCDk (http://youtu.be/V0P3JFfBCDk)
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My problem is obviously not just with Avast free V8. Earlier I managed to remove this completely and re-install and re-boot successfully, following the instructions given by Essex boy. This worked without problems for 2-3 weeks, then after doing a Windows 7 update the problems started again. Have tride to remove Avast free V8 but when I re-boot, after getting confirmation of a successful uninstall, I just get a black screen with cursor. After numerous and various attempts, using Repair etc I manage to get the computer started, but then Avast free V8 is back again, along with the warning that the Pro version has expired!
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My problem is obviously not just with Avast free V8. Earlier I managed to remove this completely and re-install and re-boot successfully, following the instructions given by Essex boy. This worked without problems for 2-3 weeks, then after doing a Windows 7 update the problems started again. Have tride to remove Avast free V8 but when I re-boot, after getting confirmation of a successful uninstall, I just get a black screen with cursor. After numerous and various attempts, using Repair etc I manage to get the computer started, but then Avast free V8 is back again, along with the warning that the Pro version has expired!
I'm wondering if thie following windows update is what's causing your problem ???
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2823324 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2823324)
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Quote: I'm wondering if the following windows update is what's causing your problem
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2823324
I've checked through the list of updates very carefully and don't think I've got that one installed, so that can't be the cause. At the moment I've got both windows adn Reader updates due to be installed, but because I can't re-boot without a load of problems I don't dare install them.
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When looking at the updates that you have installed it should have a date of around 4/10/13 (at least that is when I installed it on my pc)
I did read the information at that link and I can see where that may be causing the issue for some of us but why not everyone who is running windows? I checked and I installed that update on 4/10/13 and I did not have my problem until 4/13/13. At least MS has removed the download links for that update while investigating and it does state to uninstall that update if it has been installed (maybe I should uninstall that update - just to be on the safe side --- so that the problem does not start up again on me too).
If you don't have that update installed on your pc maybe you could try following the steps for the complete uninstall in safe mode and then try installing version 7 which can be found at http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/13608/ (unless of course you can't even restart in safe mode without all sorts of problems).
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I don't have that update, because I haven't been able to install the latest Windows updates. Can download them, but then have to re-boot to complete the installation and that's impossible to do in the normal way.
Can start in safe mode and have uninstalled and re-installed Avast numerous times, but with all the problems that come with the re-boot (black screen with cursor) version 8 and the pro warnings are back again when I finally manage to start.
These problems began in March when I changed from Avast free 7 to Avast free 8.
Used the link to Avast V7 that you gave, but despite what I mark only V8 downloads!
I HATE COMPUTERS........
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Unlike most of the posters here, I'm not an avast "FAN", just a user for the past three years.
I too have had this problem and done everything mentioned above, as in 'FULL uninstall' etc., then fresh install from scratch to get back to the free version. It worked.......
....for ten days, then just like the rest of those above, back came the 'upgraded to pro/trial/expired' message and all that junk.
BUT, being just a user, not a 'fan' I'm not going to fiddle-faddle about every few days or whenever avast feels like making me a pro, I'm just going to go back to AVG which I used for years till it got too slow.
But the point of this post and what worries me most, is that avast themselves MUST be aware of the problem. So either they won't admit to there being a problem, which does not inspire confidence, or it's a deliberate ploy to fool some free users into going pro, which is totally unprofessional. Meaning that I've lost trust with the company as a whole and won't be trying to fix it - and having lost confidence I'm also going to remove it from my Android because I've lost trust altogether.
Nice one avast - I'll get my coat and close the door as I leave. What a shame: it was so good until a few weeks ago..... :( :-\
EDIT: I've just remembered that the first time it happened was immediately after I downloaded a program via CNET: despite my using 'custom install and refusing all the toolbars, extra programs etc., I got infected with surplus programs, avast did the above AND malwarebytes got disabled. Took over two hours to restore all to normal: The program was 'miditzer', available only from CNET and the developers are trusted and do not add malware or additional stuff to their own program.
I thought it was just coincidence (and still do.....) but if anyone else has had the 'pro' message after using CNET it may just be an answer and something avast can investigate......
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I am having the same problem as well. I have had to uninstall Avast four times in the last three weeks. My paid version expired last month, then i went back to the free version. But the problem is, it keeps going back to the expired version. When it does, I uninstall completely and install the free version. I even went so far as making a new account.
No matter what i do, it goes back to the expired paid version. I have been a fan and user of Avast for the past three years. Considered it the best. But this issue is getting on my nerves, and I'm looking at other programs for the first time in three years.
This is ridiculous.
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This Bug should be resolved with the latest version 8.0.1488 (released yesterday): http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=122948.0
DJBone
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Exactly the same problem here, but only on my desktop pc and not on my netbook, both of which have Avast Free installed, which I update regularly.
What no-one else has mentioned, unless I have missed it, is that if you open the Avast interface, only the Scan can be used. If you click on any of the other features, Software Updater, Safezone, Browser Cleanup and Firewall, a popup says "This component is not available".
So, I am assuming the antivirus part of the software is still protecting my machine as it should, and I'm going to sit back and wait for Avast to sort it out in due course. I'm certainly not going to start fiddling about uninstalling and reinstalling the program, it's not my problem!