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Other => General Topics => Topic started by: hopeless on March 08, 2010, 12:31:23 PM

Title: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: hopeless on March 08, 2010, 12:31:23 PM
Hi guys,
I need some help....i'm really bad at computers and need simple instructions to fix a problem with a scan error. When i do a virus scan, after it is finished it comes up with a results log with 18 items that have the message Error: the device is not ready(21). I'm not sure how to fix this.....also i can't stop windows from blocking avast during start up? I have to manually override windows to allow the program. Any suggestions??     
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: Lisandro on March 08, 2010, 12:35:33 PM
Are you unplugging/disconnecting any media during the scanning?
Which are the files names and paths?

Why would you want to disable avast, specially at startup?
Is avast blocking a program and you want to execute it?
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: hopeless on March 08, 2010, 12:40:30 PM
No i'm just letting it scan on the desktop screen......windows is blocking avast. windows defender comes up with a message that it has blocked a program, then i click on the box and manually override the block to allow avast to start up.
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: Lisandro on March 08, 2010, 12:52:03 PM
For sure, Windows Defender is not blocking avast... Are you referring to avastUI.exe or avastSvc.exe?
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: hopeless on March 10, 2010, 11:24:44 PM
I just purchased the internet security package. when i start up a little box appears that says windows has blocked a program, click here for more details. then i click on the box and click on 'run program', then click on avast. a little box then pops up that states a program needs your permission to continue, then i click on continue, avast then starts up.
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: Lisandro on March 11, 2010, 12:31:09 PM
Which Windows application is blocking avast?
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: hopeless on March 20, 2010, 11:11:54 PM
sorry about the late reply. Windows defender is blocking avast at start up.

As stated above when the desktop screen loads, a little box pops up and states 'windows has blocked a program, click here to view details' then i click on the box and a new box pops up and has a few options, one of which is allow blocked program. I then click on avast and another box pops up that states 'windows needs your permission to run this program' then i click ok and avast starts up.

I have to go through this process every time i start up the computer. I'm not the only person who uses this computer...and the others forget to allow avast to run, so the computer isn't protected.
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: hopeless on March 26, 2010, 09:00:43 AM
I tried to repair avast in the uninstall/change area in control panel......this didn't help either. I have contacted windows defender, but they can't help me  :'(
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: CharleyO on March 26, 2010, 03:16:58 PM
***

From the search results below, this seems to be a Windows Defender problem as avast is not the only legitimate program that is being blocked by WD.

http://www.google.com/search?client=opera&rls=en&q=Windows+defender+is+blocking+avast+at+start+up&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

My suggestion would be to uninstall WD since there seems to be a problem with it.


***
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: hopeless on March 28, 2010, 02:37:45 PM
By uninstalling WD will that harm my comp in anyway? does it reduce my security?
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: CharleyO on March 29, 2010, 10:22:42 AM
***

I think not as long as avast is working correctly.


***
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail) on March 29, 2010, 10:31:19 AM
You should be able to change the settings in WD... and apply the "allow" to avast permanently.
Don't know exactly where in WD that is found, but I know it is there somewhere. (WD for XP)
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: Forward Unto Dawn on April 02, 2010, 05:19:25 AM
Hi, I'm also experiencing the same problem. I initiated a quick scan and after it was finished, the results table showed that numerous folders in the C:\ drive experienced the following error: "Error: The device is not ready (21)". I have Windows Defender on my computer, but it is currently disabled. I also have Microsoft Security Essentials on my computer.
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: Forward Unto Dawn on April 06, 2010, 11:55:13 AM
*Bump*
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: Forward Unto Dawn on August 29, 2010, 06:51:49 AM
*Bump*
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: Gargamel360 on August 29, 2010, 07:16:15 AM
Well, that is an old bump. :)

Recommended action?>>Remove MSE from your PC.  Allow Avast! in WD settings, or just don't use it.

You could, of course remove Avast!, rather than MSE.  Not my choice, but not my PC.  Lose one or the other for your own good.
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: igor on August 29, 2010, 11:13:12 AM
What exactly are those "numerous folders"?
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: Forward Unto Dawn on August 29, 2010, 12:18:27 PM
What exactly are those "numerous folders"?

Please view the attached print-screen image to see the affected folders.
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: igor on August 29, 2010, 01:18:21 PM
The folders on your screenshot are actually not folders - but rather links.
Normally, these links point back to C:\ ... however, in your case, the installation is somehow corrupted and they point somewhere else (either to a non-existing, or maybe removable drive).

You can create a custom scan and disable scanning links (on the Sensitivity page of the scan settings), or you can ignore these errors.
There's nothing else we can do on our side, because the problem is on your disk.
Title: Re: Scan error: the device is not ready(21)
Post by: Forward Unto Dawn on August 29, 2010, 01:33:20 PM
Okay, thanks for your help anyway.