Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: REDACTED on September 13, 2015, 11:23:37 AM
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Good morning everybody,
I don't understand: on the quick start guide of Avast 8 (files.avast.com/files/marketing/materials/documents/v8/quick_start_guide_v8_avast_free_fr.pdf) we can read that Avast 8 is compatible with Windows 2000 pro sp4. But this version does not run properly. And on the Web, I cannot find good information about that.
Is there anyone who can help me please ?
Thank you in advance. Yours faithfully, Philippe.
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Welcome to the forum PhilouD. The latest version of Avast 2015 (10.3.2225) system requirements as stated here https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB44 it says that Avast 2015 won't be able to run on DOS, Microsoft Windows editions earlier than XP, Microsoft Windows Server operating systems, or any others not specified as supported.
Earlier than Windows XP it means that Windows 2000 was released on February 17, 2000 and Windows XP was released on October 25, 2001.
However there's an website where you can run old versions of Avast that can run on old version of Windows OS here is the link http://www.oldapps.com/avast_antivirus.php?system=Windows_2000
The version of Avast that can be run on Windows 2000 is Avast 10.2.2215. Avast 8 is a very old version and it is unsupported as stated here via avast blog https://blog.avast.com/2015/05/06/support-for-older-avast-windows-consumer-version-will-end/
I strongly recommend you to uninstall avast 8 via add/remove and follow the instructions. After that download and run avast uninstall utility and the tool will say that it will run your computer in safe mode automatically. Click yes and follow the instructions. After that download the avast file that i gave you from here http://www.oldapps.com/avast_antivirus.php?system=Windows_2000 and follow the instructions.
After it gets installed it will do a quick start up scan. After it has finished the scan restart your computer manually and after that register your copy of avast. After you register your copy of avast. Open up Avast, click on settings, on the left hand side tab click on Update. Under the Program heading, click on settings and it will drop down the arrow with few options. Auto update, ask when an update is downloaded, ask when an update is available, and manual update. Choose "manual update".
By choosing manual update your new installed version of avast won't be able to update to the latest version of avast. As the latest version of Avast 2015 doesn't support older version of Windows OS.
Also be sure that your Windows 2000 has got the latest service pack installed and is fully updated with the latest updates from windows updates. Obviously Microsoft has stopped these updates already.
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What exactly do you mean by "does not run properly"?
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Good evening,
I specify my Avast version: 8.0.1497.
Staticguy: thank you very much for your complete answer. I shall try as soon as possible to do this.
igor: There are several problem: the virus database update does not often run, the meticulous scan runs as it will (today, he scanned only 3.9 Go of my 40 Go of datas), etc...
With Avast 5 and 6, I had no problem but I have done the mistake of updating to Avast 8 a few years ago. And I did not look at the system requirements before.
Thank you. Yours faithfully, Philippe.
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Your welcome PhilouD
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igor: There are several problem: the virus database update does not often run, the meticulous scan runs as it will (today, he scanned only 3.9 Go of my 40 Go of datas), etc...
With Avast 5 and 6, I had no problem but I have done the mistake of updating to Avast 8 a few years ago. And I did not look at the system requirements before.
That is quite weird: the scans themselves are handled by virus definitions - which are identical for versions 5-8. So it doesn't matter if you have version 5 or 8, the modules of the virus definitions are exactly the same.
I certainly wouldn't call updating from version 5/6 a mistake - those versions are very old, unsupported, and a forced update may be performed anyway (plus, system requirements haven't changed between those versions).
Is there any error logged at the end of the scan? Is it possible that the machine is e.g. very low on memory and the program crashes because of that?
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@PhilouD: Report back if any issues. Igor gave an excellent answer.
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Good morning,
There is no error logged at the end of the scan. It stops as it makes all its work.
My RAM is about 1,3 Go and my computer runs with an old Amd Athlon processor. It runs well with Win 2000 pro :-).
On the page http://www.oldapps.com/avast_antivirus.php?system=Windows_2000 , we can read that Avast Free Antivirus 10.2.2215 can supported Windows 98 (Avast 4.8.1367), Me, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8. I think it is a mistake because for all Windows versions, we can read that. I think we have to refer to the second part of this page in which we can see the latest version supporting Win 2000 : Antivirus 6.0.1270. The page http://www.oldapps.com/avast_antivirus.php?supported_systems=true
writes the same information. And that corresponds with my old observations: Avast 6 ran good with Win 2000.
I shall install again Avast 6 and I shall tell you the result.
Thank you and see you soon. Kind regards, PhilouD.
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Hello PhilouD!
Currently, I have no problems with my Notebook B (see signature) - and it is MUCH slower than yours...
And the information on oldapps is definitely a mistake.
Can you give us some details of your PC: size of harddisk? how much GB of it are free?
My recommendation:
Please install avast! Free V8.0.1497 - this is the final one for Windows 2000.
You can adapt in "settings menu":
VIRUS DEFINITIONS to "Automatic update".
PROGRAM UPDATES to "Manual update".
I would de-activate the "streaming updates" -> this helps to increase performance of PC.
How often are you online with this Windows 2000-PC?
Do you have possibility to download the VPS-update via a second PC?
Link of avast! 5-8 VPS: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/vpsupd.exe
Put EXE-file to a USB-Stick and install the update (being OFFLINE) on W2K-PC.
Then the biggest part would be done before connecting your old PC to internet.
Regards!
INGBEAN
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Good afternoon INGBEAN,
The size of the HD is 40 Go and I have 13 Go free.
My avast version is already the 8.0.1497.
I am always online with my PC.
Perhaps there is a problem with Java or like that on my PC.
Kind regards, PhilouD.
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Good evening,
On my disk, I found my old 6.0.1367 avast setup but it always says that this is an old version and it will connect to Avast Website to get a newer version. I remembered that it ran properly the first time (several years ago) and it asked if I would check on the Web whether a new version can be downloaded. So, I tried to install the v. 6.0.1270 download from the oldapps.com web site. It ran properly but I prefered stop the installation. I would prefer install my avast setup (6.0.1367). I think this avast setup chek a file on my computer which gives it the information that it is "an old version", so it must not be installed. I want to erase this file, but I don't know for the moment where it is...
Kind regards, PhilouD.
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Hello PhilouD!
If you REALLY want to install this old version, you have to be OFF-LINE and set your system date to the past (release date of your preferred version).
But in this case, you can't update your VPS via upper mentioned vpsupd.exe.
And if your installation succeeds: I'm not sure, if avast will update your version automatically (in spite of "manual update"-setting).
We had these issues already in the past... :(.
But it is your decision...
INGBEAN
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Good morning dear Avast user,
For the moment, I have no more solution than install again an old version. So I followed your suggestions: I tried to change the PC date and I blocked my Internet connection. But, the v6.0.1367 avast setup wants absolutely check a new version. So I have installed the v6.0.1270 downloaded from the oldapps.com web site. But I have the error (translation from french):
"The process entry point freeaddrinfo is not found in the dynamic link library WS2_32.dll."
I am a hopeless case :-)
I think I should install again Norton and I shall pay a new licence...
Wait and see. See you again, PhilouD.
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Ok, I found that on the forum: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=83583.msg682776#msg682776 :
"Hello,
Happy end for this problem : the release 1279 restores correct operation with Windows 2 K.
Many Thanks to the developers.
Richard"
So, I tested younger version 6 than the release 1279 but the setup always wants to download the last Avast.
Finally, I have install the version 5.1.864 and it runs very well !
Thank you for your help and have a good week-end. PhilouD
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Hello PhilouD!
By the way: avast! V6.0.1270 was a BETA version.
"The freeaddrinfo function was added to the Ws2_32.dll on Windows XP and later."
source: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms737931(v=vs.85).aspx
I am absolutely sure, I installed V6.0.1367 in the upper mentioned way on different W2k-PC's -> WITHOUT problems.
So there is a basic problem with your Windows 2000-system.
INGBEAN
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Good evening,
I think you are right but I do not want to install again Win2000 :-)
Kind regards. PhilouD
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Hello PhilouD!
No problem, you're welcome.
INGBEAN