Avast WEBforum

Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: cnrcat on August 20, 2009, 10:01:07 AM

Title: Have downloaded set up but error
Post by: cnrcat on August 20, 2009, 10:01:07 AM
occurs when tryn to download. error httpgetwinninet....and cant connect to server
Title: Re: Have downloaded set up but error
Post by: Tarq57 on August 20, 2009, 10:43:12 AM
Hi, cnrcat, welcome to the forum.
What OS do you use, and what firewall?
Did you download the setup from Avast, or Cnet?
Any other security programs active, and what AV did you use before?
Do you connect via a router? Or direct cable connection?
Title: Re: Have downloaded set up but error
Post by: cnrcat on August 20, 2009, 11:09:46 AM
Hi Tarq. ..thx for the welcome...I downloaded from cnet...I cannot load updates for defender or windows...My laptop has just been reloaded with windows as i had viruses before..i connect through dial up...there wasnt a av on here previous...i have home vista 64.....hope u can help me.....
Title: Re: Have downloaded set up but error
Post by: Tarq57 on August 20, 2009, 12:56:18 PM
When you say your laptop has been reloaded with Windows, do you mean it was a factory restore, a repair install, or a full format and re-install?
If you don't know it may not matter (unless you had a Virut variant, apparently,) but it might make a difference as to the best procedure to use.

What I think may be at play, here, is that there may still be some malware affecting your computer (unless you formatted and reinstalled Windows) and that is preventing a connection to Avast, as evidenced by your being unable to update from Microsoft. It's a bit of a clue, but not necessarily the case.
You did not report the firewall used, so I am proceeding as though it is the Windows firewall installed on Vista. (Fairly likely bet. Tell me if it's not. Tell me if it's disabled-there would be a red shield security centre warning.)

What I would do, with the info available:

Use a friends' computer and a clean USB stick, if you can. This can be done on dial up, but would take a loooong time. Find someone with cable.
Download to the USB stick (flash drive) the latest Avast setup file (direct download link). (http://files.avast.com/iavs4pro/setupeng.exe)
Download to the USB stick the latest Avast uninstall utility. (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html)
Download  "   "     ""    ""  MBAM (http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php)

You may want to copy the instructions to notepad, and print them.
 

1)-  Plug the flash drive into the affected computer. Rename the MBAM installer to a random name, say, moobs.exe (must end in .exe) then copy it to your desktop. Double click it to install the scanner. Once installed, if you can get it to update, do so. If not, run a quick scan straight away. If it finds threats, select them all, and then click on "remove selected." You may be prompted to restart to complete the removal process. If so, restart promptly. Post the scan report here.

(If you can not run MBAM,  go to C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and rename the main exe  (MBAM.exe) to whatever you named the installer file. Try running it again, by double clicking that file from the program files location.)

2)-  Uninstall Avast via the control panel, programs and settings/manage my programs. (I think it's called that. It is "add/remove programs" in XP, which is what I use. I'm not a native Vista speaker.)
It may not actually appear in installed programs, in fact I would be surprised if it did. But if it does, select uninstall (or remove). If it's not there, proceed to step 3. If it is there, but unable to be removed, carry out step 3a.

3)- Copy the file "aswclear.exe" from the flash drive to your dektop. Run it by double clicking it. If prompted to restart, do so.

3a)- Only do this if Avast was present in the program list, but could not be uninstalled, and threw up an error message.
Reboot into safe mode, by tapping the f8 key as the computer restarts, you will be presented with a list of start options on a very basic screen. Select "safe mode". It will continue booting to a very basic desktop with icons not to normal scale, and "safe mode" plastered to the corners. Run aswclear.exe by double clicking on it. When it has completed, reboot and let the computer restart in normal mode.

4)- Copy the Avast installer file to the desktop. ("setupeng.exe") Install Avast by double clicking it, and follow the prompts. As part of the setup, it will prompt for a boot scan on restart. This could easily take an hour or three, so allow enough time.

5)- Check for internet connection: Can you connect to Windows update, and can you update the Avast definitions file (VPS update)?

Any Questions?
Title: Re: Have downloaded set up but error
Post by: Tarq57 on August 20, 2009, 01:00:49 PM
PS, if you can't get access to a high speed/cable internet, let me know. We might do things a little differently.
Title: Re: Have downloaded set up but error
Post by: Tarq57 on August 20, 2009, 01:09:10 PM
PPS, sorry, just realized you are using Vista64bit.
Everything is the same, except that the boot scan option is not available.
So after Avast is installed, just reboot at the prompt, and see if it can connect to update.