Avast WEBforum

Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: EmoHobo on December 18, 2013, 05:03:04 AM

Title: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: EmoHobo on December 18, 2013, 05:03:04 AM
"The aswFsBlk service failed to start due to the following error:
The system cannot find the file specified. "

So this happens everytime I restart my computer, I run Windows XP SP3 and my version of Avast is 9.0.2011 and this problem started right after updating to that version.  Is this normal?
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: schmidthouse on December 18, 2013, 05:05:10 AM
Not Normal.
Try a repair of the Avast Installation see if that helps. :)
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: EmoHobo on December 18, 2013, 05:14:31 AM
Not Normal.
Try a repair of the Avast Installation see if that helps. :)
Just did and the problem still persists.  Did something go wrong when I was doing the most recent update or something?

Edit: it doesn't seem to be causing any issue on my computer, I just saw it when I went to the control panel and looked at system tab of event viewer, which is something I do now and then.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: schmidthouse on December 18, 2013, 05:30:22 AM
Well still not normal when error states something doesn't load. Hard to say and your call but if repair didn't resolve your option to do complete Clean Install exists. Could be something left over or missing.
Something isn't right ???
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: EmoHobo on December 18, 2013, 05:31:38 AM
Exactly why I'm trying to find someone with the same OS and this most recent update and see if they have it show up as well.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: schmidthouse on December 18, 2013, 05:37:32 AM
Exactly why I'm trying to find someone with the same OS and this most recent update and see if they have it show up as well.

Well I'm on my xp now, run latest version  as you can see from signature,and don't have the issue you are describing
Sorry I can't help.

EDIT: I should note I upgraded using the Clean Install process as I was running RC2. I don't like upgrading over top of betas/RC's
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: EmoHobo on December 18, 2013, 05:38:53 AM
Yeah I guess I'll do a clean install, can you post the instructions for how to do that again?
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: UliBaer on December 18, 2013, 05:39:49 AM
Yes, besides all other issues i already posted here, i also have this entry in the event log.
The latest version of avast is totally screwed - at least for Windows XP!

I now let the avastclear utility run and will try a clean install - *again*!
This is the last chance, i'm absolutely pi**ed, many many hours wasted! >:(
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: EmoHobo on December 18, 2013, 05:40:49 AM
Yes, besides all other issues i already posted here, i also have this entry in the event log.
The latest version of avast is totally screwed - at least for Windows XP!

I now let the avastclear utility run and will try a clean install - *again*!
This is the last chance, i'm absolutely pi**ed, many many hours wasted! >:(
Well if someone else has it, I won't do a clean install, I'll just wait for some kind of official statement or patch that fixes it.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: schmidthouse on December 18, 2013, 05:47:02 AM
Yeah I guess I'll do a clean install, can you post the instructions for how to do that again?

If you choose, do this.
Download to your desktop both the AvastClear.exe and version of Avast you want from here:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=142936.0 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=142936.0)

Run the tool> AvastClear.exe will reboot your system to Safemode. Let it do its thing.
Install your version of Avast and after installation quick scan completes> reboot twice
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: EmoHobo on December 18, 2013, 05:51:52 AM
Thanks, so what function does aswFsBlk serve in the newest version of Avast, because if it's nothing vital I won't stress it.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: schmidthouse on December 18, 2013, 05:57:21 AM
Thanks, so what function does aswFsBlk serve in the newest version of Avast, because if it's nothing vital I won't stress it.

I'm just a user like yourself. I have no inside technical expertise with code writing so I can't say.
I can say when errors occur on your OS then things aren't 100%
You could google "aswFsBlk sercvice" and see what turns up.
Goodluck :)
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: crofty59 on December 18, 2013, 06:04:39 AM
Yes, besides all other issues i already posted here, i also have this entry in the event log.
The latest version of avast is totally screwed - at least for Windows XP!

I now let the avastclear utility run and will try a clean install - *again*!
This is the last chance, i'm absolutely pi**ed, many many hours wasted! >:(
Well if someone else has it, I won't do a clean install, I'll just wait for some kind of official statement or patch that fixes it.

Hi EmoHobo
I have the same error, have rebooted several times like you still persists.
I updated through GUI.

Cheers
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: Cast on December 18, 2013, 07:28:12 AM
I just updated my moms laptop that runs XP SP3 however I didnt update though the GUI, I downloaded the install file and updated over my current install.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: EmoHobo on December 18, 2013, 07:31:26 AM
I just updated my moms laptop that runs XP SP3 however I didnt update though the GUI, I downloaded the install file and updated over my current install.
Did you get the error?
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: crofty59 on December 18, 2013, 10:26:20 AM
Uninstalled through Add and Remove
Rebooted
Error still in Event viewer
Used avastclear in Safe Mode
Rebooted
Error no longer in event viewer
Reinstalled Avast.
Rebooted
No longer get the error, all is good.

Still got Pro version to update, will only do a clean install as last resort. Once before after a clean install I had trouble with avast registering my pro licence . does not expire to 2015.

Hopefully will get a response from Avast.

Cheers :) 
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: jwoods301 on December 18, 2013, 10:48:05 AM
The issue seems to be caused by a missing aswFsBlk.sys file in Windows\System32\Drivers.

I looked in the update log and noticed that's where it was supposed to be installed. It also resides in Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\setup\INF.

Unfortunately, copying it into the Drivers folder (after restarting Windows XP in Safe Mode) does not fix the issue.

I rolled my system back from a 12/16 backup, and aswFsBlk.sys was in the Drivers directory for v2008.

Probably another install script issue (the first being the SSL email certificate being removed for Thunderbird 24.2.0) that should be looked at by the install team.

Seems to be isolated to Windows XP. I did not experience either issue installing v2011 on a Win 7 Home Premium laptop.

Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: crofty59 on December 18, 2013, 11:05:41 AM
A very informative reply, Thanks jwoods301 :)

A clean install fixed it for me, just rebooted again just to check. all good

Cheers
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: Gene54 on December 18, 2013, 12:15:12 PM
I have at least three machines (I haven't checked the others yet!!) all showing this problem in their event log. So, from what I'm seeing here my only option is to spend hours uninstalling and reinstalling Avast on each one?

Thanks Avast, like all I have to is spend my time fixing what should have been caught BEFORE the update was released!!!
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: CraigB on December 18, 2013, 12:28:07 PM
I have at least three machines (I haven't checked the others yet!!) all showing this problem in their event log. So, from what I'm seeing here my only option is to spend hours uninstalling and reinstalling Avast on each one?

Thanks Avast, like all I have to is spend my time fixing what should have been caught BEFORE the update was released!!!
Running a repair should fix the problem.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: Gene54 on December 18, 2013, 01:03:52 PM
Just did a repair and the error is still there.

Also, both "Program" and Engine & Definitions" updates start, but are not downloading anything. So more fun, figuring out if its your servers or something else that was broken.

Oh and one more thing, has anybody noticed all the user added exclusions are now gone?

Normally I would just laugh and call this type of thing as job security. But I recommended Avast, so my management perceives I own this mess and a reflection on my competency.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: drake127 on December 18, 2013, 01:29:06 PM
On build 2011 you can delete registry key HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\aswFsBlk.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: EmoHobo on December 18, 2013, 02:03:13 PM
On build 2011 you can delete registry key HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\aswFsBlk.
and that's safe to do?
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: drake127 on December 18, 2013, 02:09:11 PM
Yes, we removed aswFsBlk from 9.0.2011 but it seems that it didn't get deleted for you (file got deleted but registry key didn't).
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: EmoHobo on December 18, 2013, 02:13:24 PM
So what exactly do I delete?

The entire "folder" on the left side of the Registry for awsFsBlk found at the location you said or a specific file?
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: drake127 on December 18, 2013, 02:16:22 PM
You can delete entire "folder" (key). If you are not comfortable with that, you can also set "Start" value in this folder to "4" and revert it back if you encounter some issues.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: EmoHobo on December 18, 2013, 02:17:58 PM
I got an error when attempt this.

"Cannot Delete aswFsBlk: Error While Deleting Key"

Do I need to turn off the self defense module?
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: Asyn on December 18, 2013, 02:20:16 PM
Do I need to turn off the self defense module?

Yep.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: EmoHobo on December 18, 2013, 02:26:56 PM
Just did that, checked the error console and it didn't return this time on restart and everything is running fine now, so I think this fixed the issue.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: crofty59 on December 18, 2013, 02:40:47 PM
On build 2011 you can delete registry key HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\aswFsBlk.

I ended up doing a clean install with the pro version as well.
Should have checked here first. Ah Well,  all is now working :)
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: Asyn on December 18, 2013, 02:59:16 PM
Just did that, checked the error console and it didn't return this time on restart and everything is running fine now, so I think this fixed the issue.

Good.
[OT]: For further/future questions, a sig might help. ;)
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: schmidthouse on December 18, 2013, 07:38:47 PM
On build 2011 you can delete registry key HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\aswFsBlk.

I ended up doing a clean install with the pro version as well.
Should have checked here first. Ah Well,  all is now working :)

This may not be significant, but I totally removed RC2 with AvastClear.exe in safemode(CleanInstall) BEFORE installing v 9.0.2011 and did not have this Reg Key issue.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: jwoods301 on December 18, 2013, 09:10:57 PM
Before making any changes to the registry, make sure to back it up.

Even though a clean install is the long way around, it's safer than modifying the registry.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: drake127 on December 18, 2013, 09:33:14 PM
It shouldn't be needed by now. We released an update which should take care of this issue.
Title: Re: When I start my computer I get an error about aswFsBlk service failed to start.
Post by: crofty59 on December 19, 2013, 03:52:30 AM
It shouldn't be needed by now. We released an update which should take care of this issue.

Thanks for the update :)