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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Oceanwaves on June 04, 2006, 11:14:10 AM

Title: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Oceanwaves on June 04, 2006, 11:14:10 AM
Hi,

I'm running Avast! Home Edition on Windows 2000. When I started my system today I noticed that the Avast! icon didn't appear in system tray. Also the desktop icon had changed to the Windows default icon.

When I tried to access the Avast! program directory under D:\Programe\Alwil Software\Avast4 I got an "Access denied" message.

However, when I take a look at the running services, everything seems to be ok:

- avast! Antivirus
- avast! iAVS4 Control Service
- avast! Mail Scanner
- avast! Web Scanner

are all running.

But I still can't access the program directory or uninstall avast! I also tried to stop all avast! services, but still no go.

Any ideas?

Oceanwaves

Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: DavidR on June 04, 2006, 02:39:47 PM
This folder permissions did happen with an earlier version of avast, so this may be the issue here.

Download the latest version 4.7.844 and save it to your HDD. Download the avast! Uninstall Utility, find it here (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_uninstall_util.html) and save that also.

Try to uninstall avast using the add remove programs, reboot, run the uninstall utility, reboot, install the latest version.
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: hanselel on June 04, 2006, 03:53:55 PM
After the programm got updated this morning I'm having the same problem. I'm not able to access the folder anymore, but the process is still running.
I did what you said and uninstalled it, than downloaded the newest version but again I'm not able to access the folder after reinstalling it.
Someone know what's going on?

Hanselel
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: DavidR on June 04, 2006, 05:24:52 PM
Did you also use the avast uninstall utility as I suggested after add remove programs "uninstall avast using the add remove programs, reboot, run the uninstall utility, reboot, install the latest version." That should be have been able to remove the avast folder. If you kill the running services can you access/delete the avast folder with relevant administrator privileges ?

I haven't used win2k so I'm unsure of this.
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: hanselel on June 04, 2006, 06:36:35 PM
What I did:
1: I tried to uninstall it via add/remove programs. Didn't work.
2: I used the avast uninstall utility and unistalled the program.
3: I restarted.
4: I downloaded the newest version and installed it.
5: I restarted once again.
But the problem is still there, I can't open the folder, the icon is missing and under process I have aswUpdSv.exe running. I only get error messages like "access denied" if I try to open the dektop Icon for example.

Hanselel

Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: DavidR on June 04, 2006, 06:58:44 PM
I'm sorry I don't know enough about win2k to help in getting past the folder access issue. Have you tried this as the administrator (sorry if this is an XP term).

Are these services running as you mentioned previously - avast! Antivirus - avast! iAVS4 Control Service - avast! Mail Scanner - avast! Web Scanner rather than just aswUpdSv.exe avast Update ?

avast! icon missing - As a temporary measure you can create a desktop shortcut for this file C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashDisp.exe (the avast icon and interface to the providers).

Have you tried a forum search for win2k and 4.7.287 or check the Beta sub forum of this forum. I can remember an issue with win2k access denied and some XP users with folder permissions.

Unlocker might be able to get rid of stubborn files/folders http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ is also good as it also has a few additional features to not only delete the files but stop any process that is stopping you from deleting a file.

Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: hanselel on June 04, 2006, 07:18:23 PM
I have administer privileges. Update Avast is the only process running. Can I download an older avast version somewhere? I mean it was working before the update.

Hanselel
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: DavidR on June 04, 2006, 07:22:47 PM
You could try filehippo.com, but I'm not sure that would resolve it as the permission issue is in place.
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Oceanwaves on June 04, 2006, 08:57:02 PM
What I did:
1: I tried to uninstall it via add/remove programs. Didn't work.
2: I used the avast uninstall utility and unistalled the program.
3: I restarted.
4: I downloaded the newest version and installed it.
5: I restarted once again.
But the problem is still there, I can't open the folder, the icon is missing and under process I have aswUpdSv.exe running. I only get error messages like "access denied" if I try to open the dektop Icon for example.
Same for me, except that I can now access the Avast4 folder. But I can't start Avast! and the only process that's running is aswUpdSv.exe.

Just checked it again: I can access the Avast4! folder and the DATA folder. I get an "Access denied" on the folders GERMAN, images and Setup.

Seems the update broke Win2k support, at least on some systems  :(

Oceanwaves
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Vlk on June 05, 2006, 09:40:19 AM
1. Can you post the screenshot of the Security tab of the properties of the file Avast4\ashDisp.exe ?

2. Is avast installed to your system drive (the Program Files folder), or a custom folder?

3. Aren't there any non-Latin characters in the avast folder pathname?

4. Are you guys all using Win2K? No XP users with this problem here?


Thanks
Vlk
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: souslik on June 05, 2006, 11:13:56 AM
Hello Vlk,

Thanks for your reply as this seems to be a widespread problem with the update from 4th June.

> 1. Can you post the screenshot of the Security tab of the properties of the file Avast4\ashDisp.exe ?

I don't have access to the affected computer for now.

>2. Is avast installed to your system drive (the Program Files folder), or a custom folder?

custom folder.

>3. Aren't there any non-Latin characters in the avast folder pathname?

none. The path is "d:\wu\avast4\"

>4. Are you guys all using Win2K? No XP users with this problem here?

In my case, Win2K indeed.

Thanks for your help on this.

S.
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: hanselel on June 05, 2006, 11:31:01 AM
1. Can you post the screenshot of the Security tab of the properties of the file Avast4\ashDisp.exe ?

Sorry, I get an access denied error if I try to open the avast folder. Can't take a screenshot.

2. Is avast installed to your system drive (the Program Files folder), or a custom folder?

Custom Folder

3. Aren't there any non-Latin characters in the avast folder pathname?

No non-latin characters in the folder pathname

4. Are you guys all using Win2K? No XP users with this problem here?

Using Win2k SP4

Thanks for helping  :)

Hanselel
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Vlk on June 05, 2006, 11:34:12 AM
You said you had administrator privileges. Does this mean you used the built-in "Administrator" account, or another account that is part of the Administrators group? If the latter, could you please try to log on under Administrator?


It's really weird that you don't have even READ access to that folder... the "Everyone" group should be granted this...

Thanks
Vlk
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: hanselel on June 05, 2006, 11:38:20 AM
I have two accounts, one with user privileges and the administrator account. I tried it on both accounts and I don't have access to the folder on either of them.

Hanselel
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Vlk on June 05, 2006, 11:57:10 AM
Can you then take a screenshot of the Security tab of the parent folder?
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: miro1 on June 05, 2006, 12:58:11 PM
I have to confirm that the same happened to my computer with Windows 2k. Then I did everything according to the moderator's advices but the Avast folder is still unaccessable and there is no the blue icon in Quick start menu and the program is unaccessable too. It happened after today's morning update.
Best wishes,
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: hanselel on June 05, 2006, 01:57:02 PM
It's working again. I noticed that the Security Tab only gave access to SYSTEM. I had to manually add Administrator and User Account and now it's working again.
Thanks a lot for the help ;D
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Vlk on June 05, 2006, 02:10:32 PM
hanselel, I'm not sure I understand, if it was only SYSTEM, how come you were able to see the properties? You said you got Access denied message when trying to do so, didn't you?


Thanks
Vlk
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: hanselel on June 05, 2006, 02:46:18 PM
I got "access denied" when I tried to open the folder, but I was able to see the properties.  Don't know why though.

Hanselel
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Vlk on June 05, 2006, 06:08:24 PM
Still, could you please have a loot at the Security tab of the parent folder (the parent of Avast4)? What does it show?
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: nanawel on June 05, 2006, 06:28:06 PM
Same problem, I can't access the Avast directory since the last update.
=> "Access denied."

Windows 2000 SP4 and I'm using the Administrator account.

Changing the rights on the folder solve the problem, thank you very much !
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Vlk on June 05, 2006, 09:03:02 PM
If someone would be so kind and answer my previous email, I'd be grateful.

It should help us simulate the problem in our lab, and potentially solve it.


Thanks :)
Vlk
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Oceanwaves on June 05, 2006, 09:58:47 PM
Still, could you please have a loot at the Security tab of the parent folder (the parent of Avast4)? What does it show?
After uninstalling the previous version of Avast! using the uninstall utility and installing the current version I was able to access the avast4 folder again. I can also access the DATA folder but not the folders GERMAN, images and Setup. Avast! doesn't work.

The DATA folder and all of its subfolders have access rights for Everybody and SYSTEM. The unaccessible folders have only access rights for SYSTEM.

I attached screenshots of both the security tabs of DATA and Setup, however they're in German.

Oceanwaves
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Oceanwaves on June 05, 2006, 10:03:51 PM
1. Can you post the screenshot of the Security tab of the properties of the file Avast4\ashDisp.exe ?
See below... All files in Avast4 folder have these access rights and I cannot start any of them.

Quote
2. Is avast installed to your system drive (the Program Files folder), or a custom folder?
Custom folder, D:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4

Quote
3. Aren't there any non-Latin characters in the avast folder pathname?
None

Quote
4. Are you guys all using Win2K? No XP users with this problem here?
Yes, Win2k and SP4. My wife is running XP on her laptop and had no problems with the latest update.

Oceanwaves
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Vlk on June 05, 2006, 10:18:09 PM
And the parent folder? I mean the folder above Avast4.


Thanks
Vlk
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: DaveD on June 05, 2006, 10:38:36 PM
Just an FYI

I am running Windows 2000 Pro SP4 UR1 with avast! up-to-date and have no problems whatsoever. It sounds as though the 2 people in this thread with the problem with access rights have custom folders where avast! is installed. Mine is installed in the default location and has no problems.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: hanselel on June 06, 2006, 06:53:04 AM
With the parent folder of avast you mean the folder in which the avast folder is located right?
That has Access to a account called Everyone (I'm running a german win2k version, so "everyone" is a translation of "Jeder"). The "Everyone" account has full access.

Hanselel
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Vlk on June 06, 2006, 01:28:55 PM
Strange indeed. Tried to simulate the problem, but unsuccessfully... (it worked).

That is, I tried (under Win2K) to install avast to a folder whose parent only had Everyone/FullControl (inheritable to children), and it worked as expected...

I'd really love to know what's causing the problem, but first, I'd need to simulate it here... :-\


Hasn't the machine been upgraded from NT4? Hasn't the drive been converted from FAT/FAT32?
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: beridoxy on June 06, 2006, 05:20:26 PM
Hi,

I got the same problem on several computers ghosted, the installation floder was the standard one.

At: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software
The security tab grants full access at everyone.
At: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4
Only the SYSTEM local accunt has access.

I tried to check the box: reset right on all child at the C:\Program Files\Alwil Software folder then it worked again. But the right were erased again by launching and update.
I am tring to find a workaround: I gave  the READ right to the local and network user, i will see if next update the right have gone to SYSTEM or kept.

BTW: The machine are full NTFS and in a domain.

Hope it will be fixed soon.  ;)
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: aquilo on June 06, 2006, 05:21:43 PM
Hello!

I had also the same problems! The Avast Folder couldn´t be accessed anymore! After uninstalling with the uninstal tool of avast i tried to reinstall but with no success! Again the same problem!

Now antivir is running and doing its job! - Good bye avast   :'(

Martin

Machine: W2k german, all service packs installed. Problem appeared yesterday evening after updating to latest avast version.

Update!!

Hi @all!

after being not very happy with another scanner, i tried avast again and installed him into the default folder which the install program shows!
And guess what!
Avast is running again! So there are obviously problems with installations, which took place in another folder than the default folder!

Happy again!!!  ;D

Martin
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Vlk on June 06, 2006, 07:35:30 PM
Could you please have a look in the file <avast>\setup\setup.log, if it contains something like

Failed fixing security on xxxxx error nnn?


If so, can you please post the details?


Thanks
Vlk
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: aquilo on June 06, 2006, 07:52:44 PM
Hi!

unfortunately there is no entry like this!

Martin
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Oceanwaves on June 06, 2006, 10:37:57 PM
And the parent folder? I mean the folder above Avast4
After manual uninstallation of the old version and installation of the current version the folder looks normal. Only access rights for "Everybody".

Oceanwaves
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Oceanwaves on June 06, 2006, 10:41:45 PM
Hasn't the machine been upgraded from NT4? Hasn't the drive been converted from FAT/FAT32?

No, original Win2k installation, using NTFS. But if it makes a different: This installation is runing in a virtual machine (VMware Workstation 5.5, Host OS is Linux).

Oceanwaves
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Oceanwaves on June 06, 2006, 10:47:46 PM
Could you please have a look in the file <avast>\setup\setup.log, if it contains something like

Failed fixing security on xxxxx error nnn?


If so, can you please post the details?

No "failed" entry, only found these entries:
Code: [Select]
22:10:50 vrb/pkg  FilterOutExistingFiles: 138 & 138 = 0
22:10:50 vrb/pkg  FilterOutExistingFiles: 138 & 138 = 0
22:10:50 vrb/pkg  ArePartsInstallable: 1
22:10:52 min/pkg  vps: can't create D:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\400.vps, error code: 0x00000005
22:10:52 vrb/fil  Fix security on: D:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4\*.*
22:10:53 vrb/fil  Fix security on: D:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4\GERMAN\*.*
22:10:53 vrb/fil  Fix security on: D:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4\images\*.*
22:10:53 dbg/gen  progress end - 0
22:10:53 dbg/gen  progress thread end
22:10:53 nrm/pkg  Transferred files: 0
22:10:53 nrm/pkg  Transferred bytes: 0
22:10:53 nrm/pkg  Transfer time: 0 ms
22:10:53 vrb/fil  NeedReboot=false
22:10:53 min/gen  Return code: 0x20000011 [The package is broken.]
22:10:53 min/gen  Stopped: 05.06.2006, 22:10:53

Oceanwaves
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Oceanwaves on June 07, 2006, 10:04:08 PM
Update: Avast! automatically installed a vps update. After the update the access rights for folders GERMAN and images were reset to SYSTEM only, the same happened to all files in Avast4 folder. I had to manually add access rights for Everyone again to be able to start ashAvast.exe again.

Oceanwaves
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Vlk on June 07, 2006, 10:39:04 PM
Thanks for the follow up.
Could you please run the following command (from the command line)

cacls "D:\Programe\Alwil Software\Avast4"

and post the output here?

Thanks
Vlk
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Oceanwaves on June 08, 2006, 01:36:08 PM
Thanks for the follow up.
Could you please run the following command (from the command line)

cacls "D:\Programe\Alwil Software\Avast4"

and post the output here?

Sure:

Code: [Select]
C:\>cacls "D:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4"
D:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4 NT-AUTORITÄT\SYSTEM:F
                                   NT-AUTORITÄT\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)(IO)F
                                   NT-AUTORITÄT\SYSTEM:F
                                   NT-AUTORITÄT\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)(IO)F
                                   NT-AUTORITÄT\SYSTEM:F
                                   NT-AUTORITÄT\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)(IO)F
                                   NT-AUTORITÄT\SYSTEM:F
                                   NT-AUTORITÄT\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)(IO)F
                                   VORDEFINIERT\Administratoren:F

Oceanwaves
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Jarodd on June 08, 2006, 09:46:47 PM
Hello,

I have the same problem, under W2000 SP4 (see the other thread... oops ;D)

If I have understand everything, we can reinstall Avast in a custom folder, but we must change the users properties ? Or the default folder (C:/Program Files/...) must to be choosen ? I read carefully all the posts but I have not understand the subtility... :-[

At this time, Avast is not installed (I just uninstall it with the tool, I'm going to reboot).

Thank you very much for your help, Avast community is very active, and this confirm Avast is the best antivirus !!!  :D
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: wonder75 on June 09, 2006, 03:38:04 AM
Hi, I have got the same problem with Avast. It started tonite.
After finding this thread, i added the avast installation folder and subfolders to the group "Everyone" (not sure if it's called this way in english, got a german win2k where it's called "jeder") After that it started working again.

Hope this helps, tnx for avast, it used to work like a charm for ages....

UPDATE:
doh. it changed the permissions by itself and removed "everyone" and put it back to "system". After that it stopped working again. i didn't restart so it must have happened while avast was running !?

something went seriously wrong for win2k with the last update.

another thought: could it be that some virus or malware that just affects win2k is doing this?
feeling rather unsafe right now......
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Vlk on June 09, 2006, 09:46:35 AM
Oceanwaves, THANKS!

This explains it. The problem is, under Win2K, it looks like the built-in user/group names are localized (i.e. instead of "NT-AUTHORITY" the German version of Windows uses "NT-AUTORITÄT"). In Windows XP, this seems to be "fixed" (Windows recognizes the English names as well).

So, it seems that the problem only occurs when ALL of the following conditions are true:

1. you are using Windows 2000
2. you are using non-English version of Windows
3. you installed avast in a folder different from the default (namely, to a folder that only had Everyone/FullControl access right, and nothing else).


Fortunately, the fix seems to be easy for us (not recognize accounts/groups by names).
However, since this seems to be a problem limited to quite a low number of users (see conditions above) I'm not sure if we will release a fix immediately... We'll talk about this.


Thanks
Vlk
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Jan_PB on June 09, 2006, 04:32:25 PM
Hi,

i had the same problem and followed the instructions to remove the old version and installed the latest version. I hab no problems with the remoal and the  installation, but avast still doesn´t start after a reboot and i can´t start avast manually. When i start outlook the following error pops up: ...problem.../avast4/ashOutxt.dll missing.

Any ideas?

Thanks Jan

This folder permissions did happen with an earlier version of avast, so this may be the issue here.

Download the latest version 4.7.844 and save it to your HDD. Download the avast! Uninstall Utility, find it here (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_uninstall_util.html) and save that also.

Try to uninstall avast using the add remove programs, reboot, run the uninstall utility, reboot, install the latest version.
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: DavidR on June 09, 2006, 04:47:57 PM
Have you checked to ensure it isn't there ?
If so try a repair of avast. Add Remove programs, select 'avast! Anti-Virus,' click the Change/Remove button and scroll down to Repair, click next and follow. You need to be on-line to do this.
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Lisandro on June 09, 2006, 07:26:43 PM
Jan, if you search the board for ashOutxt.dll keyword, won't you find anything to solve your trouble?
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: wonder75 on June 09, 2006, 07:27:55 PM
I think this is happening because the avast directory isn't readable because of the rights-bug. It's there but can't be accessed....
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Oceanwaves on June 09, 2006, 10:59:59 PM
Oceanwaves, THANKS!
You're welcome  ;)

Quote
This explains it. The problem is, under Win2K, it looks like the built-in user/group names are localized (i.e. instead of "NT-AUTHORITY" the German version of Windows uses "NT-AUTORITÄT"). In Windows XP, this seems to be "fixed" (Windows recognizes the English names as well).

Looks like poor translation by Microsoft  :-[ Translating internal names isn't a very good idea.

Quote
So, it seems that the problem only occurs when ALL of the following conditions are true:

1. you are using Windows 2000
2. you are using non-English version of Windows
3. you installed avast in a folder different from the default (namely, to a folder that only had Everyone/FullControl access right, and nothing else).


Fortunately, the fix seems to be easy for us (not recognize accounts/groups by names).
However, since this seems to be a problem limited to quite a low number of users (see conditions above) I'm not sure if we will release a fix immediately... We'll talk about this.

That's disappointing  :(. I have to change the access rights every day (after Avast! updates its database).

I'm not going to switch to XP as long as Win2k is supported by MS and I will not switch to an English version for obvious reason. And Avast! is not installed to the default folder because I only have Win2k on C: and all data and applications on D:.

Oceanwaves
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: mikla on June 12, 2006, 09:05:30 PM
Oceanwaves, THANKS!

This explains it. The problem is, under Win2K, it looks like the built-in user/group names are localized (i.e. instead of "NT-AUTHORITY" the German version of Windows uses "NT-AUTORITÄT"). In Windows XP, this seems to be "fixed" (Windows recognizes the English names as well).

So, it seems that the problem only occurs when ALL of the following conditions are true:

1. you are using Windows 2000
2. you are using non-English version of Windows
3. you installed avast in a folder different from the default (namely, to a folder that only had Everyone/FullControl access right, and nothing else).


Fortunately, the fix seems to be easy for us (not recognize accounts/groups by names).
However, since this seems to be a problem limited to quite a low number of users (see conditions above) I'm not sure if we will release a fix immediately... We'll talk about this.


Thanks
Vlk

Hi!

I'm using Hungarian Win2000 SP4 and I also have to add Everybody with full access every day to the folder to be able to run avast.

The command that you requested gives me the following result after readding Everybody (=Mindenki):
C:\Documents and Settings\Rendszergazda>cacls "D:\Program files\Alwil Software\Avast4"
D:\Program files\Alwil Software\Avast4 Mindenki:(OI)(CI)F
                                       NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)F
                                       Mindenki:F
                                       Mindenki:(OI)(CI)(IO)F
                                       Mindenki:(OI)(CI)(IO)F

I have administrator rights on the machine and I also prefer to put only Windows into C: and everything else on D:... Oceanwaves is not the only one...

Desperately waiting for a quick solution!!!

Thanks, Mikla
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: wonder75 on June 12, 2006, 10:20:38 PM
To what folder do i need to install avast to to fix this?

I tried
C:\Program Files\Alwil\Avast4

but the problem is still there.

My Windows standard "Program Files" folder is on D:
Does this error depend on the location of the WIndows "Programs" folder or is my path

C:\Program Files\Alwil\Avast4

the wrong one?
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: DavidR on June 12, 2006, 11:09:32 PM
The normal avast default folder is C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4 so you could try that. Although because of the way you have the the windows Program Files folder on a different drive, I'm not sure if this wouldn't also be classed as a custom folder, but worth a try.
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Vlk on June 13, 2006, 12:04:03 AM
The work around is to add the following security entry to the FOLDER where you're installing avast (i.e. the parent folder of the avast folder):


Everyone/Read -- inheritable

(or, alternatively, Users/Read -- inheritable).


Thanks
Vlk
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: wonder75 on June 13, 2006, 04:17:51 PM
Hey thanks, works now.

Great,
won75
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: PinkPumpkin on June 24, 2006, 12:50:39 AM
Hi,

I have the same problem!

Win2k SP4 on danish

I added Everyone to the security tab and I can start it but the service doesn't start:-/

Event log says it can't start becourse avast! Standard Shield Support is missing some files!

Is there a way to register this shield support like actSkin4.ocx and what file are we then talking about?

Thanks

p.s. You wrote you aren't gonna make a fix right away? I think you disqualify yourself if you don't!
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: DavidR on June 24, 2006, 03:01:39 AM
Try a repair of avast. Add Remove programs, select 'avast! Anti-Virus,' click the Change/Remove button and scroll down to Repair, click next and follow. You need to be on-line to do this.

About the "usigetskin failed" issue, if the avast! repair does not solve it:
You will have to register ACTSKIN4.OCX
Follow the instructions:

Select START -> RUN...
Enter the following command:
If you have Windows NT or 2000:
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\REGSVR32.EXE ACTSKIN4.OCX
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: PinkPumpkin on June 24, 2006, 03:12:06 AM
Hi,

Yes thanks I have tried that but it's not the "failed" thing  I'm after!

The service aren't running cos the file for avast! Standard Shield Support is missing:-/

Can I manually register this one too?

Thanks
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Lisandro on June 24, 2006, 02:14:03 PM
The service aren't running cos the file for avast! Standard Shield Support is missing:-/
The installation is messed...

1. Uninstall avast from Control Panel first.
2. Boot
3. Use Avast Uninstall (http://www.avast.com/files/eng/avclear4.exe) for complete uninstallation (read http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_uninstall_util.html)
4. Boot
5. Install again by this command on the folder you've donwload and save the install file: setupeng.exe /forceinstall
    Where setupeng.exe is the name of the executable
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: PinkPumpkin on June 24, 2006, 07:31:28 PM
This is going totally wrong :(

Can't uninstall from Control Panel (gives error)

Used the Avast Uninstall and rebooted

Installed again with the /forceinstall parameter

After reboot no startupscan, no avast icon, no access to program folder (only SYSTEM has access), no aswmon2.sys file anywhere :'(

Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Lisandro on June 24, 2006, 09:30:14 PM
PinkPumpkin, this is very strange.
Are you sure you're trying to install the last version of avast that you download from avast site?
Are you installing in the default folder?
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: PinkPumpkin on June 25, 2006, 04:01:00 PM
Hi,

I'm downloading from: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html so it should be the newest!

I'm installing in the default folder that it say but on a danish Win2k it's C:\Programmer\ and not C:\Program Files!
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Gswiss on June 26, 2006, 01:03:58 PM
I had the same problem under W2k-sp4 but only when I opened Outlook 2000 (a crappy program which I only use for apointments) in French. At that point, the EVERYONE parameter would disappear from the Security tab and the Avast Directory would become inaccessible except for the Properties parameter.

Avast is on a different partition than Windows.

For the past 2 days, things appear to work fine, so maybe things were fixed in the meantime.
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Gswiss on June 28, 2006, 06:19:49 PM
Correction - problem still around whenever I open Outlook 2000. Only case.
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Vlk on June 28, 2006, 11:11:47 PM
Anyone who has this problem,

could you please try to update to the latest avast beta? It should have this issue resolved.

To install the beta, please run the program http://files.avast.com/files/beta/aswbeta.exe and follow the on-screen instructions.


Thanks
Vlk
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: okapi on June 29, 2006, 04:26:22 PM
I do have the same problems on my wife's Windows 2000 Pro SP4 system.
Only one user defined, the default administrator.
That situation is :

Avast icon had disappeared from system tray.
Avast folder  (C:\Alwil Software\Avast4 no longer accessible, access denied).
Tried to uninstall Avast to be able to reinstall; didn't work.
Downloaded and used the Alwil uninstall tool; worked.
Downloaded latest version of Avast 4.7
Reinstalled successfully. Got message asking if virus check should be done after restart. Answered :Yes.
Machine restarted.
No virus check starts.
No Avast icon appears in system tray.
Avast4 folder unaccessible (same as before).

I am stuck.
It seems to be a general problem.
Thank for any help. Running without an effective anti-virus is rather scarring.
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: DavidR on June 29, 2006, 05:12:02 PM
There are many reasons that the icon might go missing. As a temporary measure you can create a desktop shortcut for this file C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashDisp.exe (the avast icon and interface to the providers).  Right click on the file and select Send To, Desktop (create shortcut).

What other security based software do you have that might block new startup entries, e.g. Spybot S&D (TeaTimer), AdAware (AdWatch), PrevX, WinPatrol, ProcessGuard, etc. ?
Some of these will block new start-up entries such as the avast icon. However that doesn't explaint the permissions isue, so I would suggest you try the latest beta that Vlk mentioned.
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Ulti on July 02, 2006, 05:28:39 PM
Anyone who has this problem,

could you please try to update to the latest avast beta? It should have this issue resolved.

To install the beta, please run the program http://files.avast.com/files/beta/aswbeta.exe and follow the on-screen instructions.


Thanks
Vlk

Had the problem on a couple of machines, but with the beta all seems fine, thanks!

Might go slightly offtopic here, but I think it's partly related: before I found out about this thread I uninstalled avast and used the removal utility, but was unable to install the latest version which I tried to download twice from the download page. It stopped when it tried to move/extract files to <windir>\system32 and <windir>\system32\drivers, by using an install exe from ~2003 I was however able to install and update it to the latest versions + the beta.

Found some avast related, locked, registry keys under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001|ControlSet002|CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root, don't know if they had anything to do with it, but they weren't removed by the removal utility. I tried removing them by using regedt32, didn't solve the problem with installing the latest avast though.

The machines I had problems on were all running swedish editions of w2k sp4.

Anyways, all seems to be working now, thanks for a great program!
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Lisandro on July 19, 2006, 11:39:30 PM
Vlk, can you confirm that there were two betas versions since the last avast! 4 Home/Pro Edition 4.7.844 of 31.5.2006?
I mean, now I have 4.7.863 and I think I had 4.7.855 some days ago... I think the 3/4 days I was out from forums, someone turn on my computer and avast updated... Can you say me something about this?
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: igor on July 20, 2006, 10:02:40 AM
Yes, Vlk updates the betaversion occassionally. I think there's another (slightly bigger) update of the beta to appear soon.
Title: Re: Can't access Avast! program directory anymore
Post by: Lisandro on July 20, 2006, 02:05:26 PM
Yes, Vlk updates the betaversion occassionally. I think there's another (slightly bigger) update of the beta to appear soon.
Maybe the 'Beta' forum could be used in these situations...  :-\