Thanks for a quick response. I've made a note of the details, I'll give it a go tomorrow and post back. CheersYou're welcome. Feel free to come back any time you need help or just to change experiences 8)
Hi Asyn
Ashampoo Firewall - Spyware Blaster - SpywareTerminator
I only use Spyware Terminator's spy ware blocker. Even though it also has 'Clam Anti Virus' on board. Which I have disabled and have never used. But I am looking into enabling it now and giving it a trial run. Failing that I'll take a look at AVG.
Hi Asyn
Thanks for your insight, opinions and suggestions. But I've been running this set-up now for a few years and quite frankly everything has been running like a dream. Never better. I may be classed as a 'Newbie' on this site, but when it comes to PC's I help and advise others. I think that your suggestion would be - pardon the pun - a sin.
Just because AVAST has decided to go down this road I don't see why the other cogs in an otherwise super engine should be blamed and/or be discarded. In favour of something, that on the face of it has had its day! Why am I saying this, because even when I tried turning off all three of the other protection ware, AVAST still wasn't firing on all cylinders and still couldn't connect to the internet?
Who should we choose next to be named and shamed, as being at fault. Perhaps the usual scapegoat, Microsoft Updates?!
From what you describe, it's pretty likely that your firewall is blocking avast! from the Internet.
So, have you tried adding the rules to permit such communication?
Asyn thanks for the link, I'll give it a go. I'll have to keep my toes crossed, because I really don't want to have to lose AVAST.
The firewall is set up in such a way that when a new program is installed it always asks if it should be blocked or allowed. I told it to 'allow' then - when it couldn't connect - I checked to make sure. It was/is allowed. But even so, I now know catagorically that it can't be anything to do with any of my protection ware, for the reason I say above.
Then how do you explain this...
"even when I tried turning off all three of the other protection ware, AVAST still wasn't firing on all cylinders and still couldn't connect to the internet?"
Hi Gopher John
In view of your links, what if I were to...
Uninstall AVAST
Uninstall Ashampoo Firewall
Install AVAST and see if it runs OK or not?
If both it and my PC do.
I could then reinstall Ashampoo Firewall.
OR
Would it be possible and may be easier, for me to do a 'System Restore' to before I uninstalled Avast 4.8 and update to 5?
In view of your links, what if I were to...
Uninstall AVAST
Uninstall Ashampoo Firewall
Install AVAST and see if it runs OK or not?
Hi Gopher John
"there should be a way in it's interface to remove Avast's entries."
There is, I can and have removed Avast's entries in Ashampoo Firewall.
"When Avast attempts to connect, Ashampoo should ask you to allow it. Do so."
It does and I do.
On it's latest attempt to connect, the following was Avast's Error message:
'Cannot connect to download***.avast.com(**.***.***.**:80)'
The asterix are numbers, but as they change each time it tries, I don't think they are relevent. 80 is the Port number and is constant.
Gopher John
This is what 'enum' says...
'firewall process from PCSecurityShield/BitGuard Personal Firewall detected'
(2) - Keep Avast, remove Ashampoo and look for a replacement. But how many would I have to go through to find one that is compatible with Avast?
Hi Asyn
Comodo, I've tried that, we didn't get on, it was making me paranoid! Have you got something against ClamAV?
Right here we go, I've done a bit of digging. The name of the '.exe' for...
'PCSecurityShield/BitGuard Personal Firewall' is 'firewall.exe'. Which is also the '.exe' file name of 'Ashampoo Firewall'!? In other words they're one and the same. That's why enum didn't point up 'Ashampoo' as well.
After all that, it looks as though I'm back to square one again. But with what looks like an undisputable culprit. So then, where do I go from here? It seems I have two choices, I can either...
(1) - Keep my Ashampoo firewall. Remove Avast and use Clam AV, that comes with Spyware Terminator.
(2) - Keep Avast, remove Ashampoo and look for a replacement. But how many would I have to go through to find one that is compatible with Avast?
EnumProcess finds only processes known to it. If Ashampoo firewall is not known it will not detect it. It is not invasive and tries to test the processes (may be an idea)
One way to add it, is to use "Processes only" from the dropdown and then send me the list.
In answer to your question "Can I reinstall Avast 4.8 please?".
Yes you can. View http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/.
C:\Program Files\VCOM\Fix-It\mxtask.exe (Avanquest Software USA, Inc. / MXTask Background Service)
The guy has VCOM FixIt Tools running. According to the page ( http://www.itreviews.co.uk/software/s474.htm ) it contains TrendMicro antivirus and firewall. Maybe that's the problem.
Can anyone tell me how it is that I could register through Avast and yet Avast can't download AV updates?1. Firewall blocking it.
4 - Am I right in thinking that if this were the case the problem would be at the Avast end and nothing to do with my PC?Depends on 1...
1 - Apparently, according to the people on this forum, turning off my Firewall isn't good enough. I have to install it. I was about to do just that when I got you reply.Which is this firewall?
Hi lukor
If you don't mind, before I try your suggestions I'll wait and see what TECH has to say re my reply. Cheers ¦¬]
So, where do we go from here?Check your Hosts file (or even replace it with HostsMan (http://www.abelhadigital.com) tool) and see if it's ok.
Uninstall Ashampoo firewall and see results.
I have to say this once again, as I don't recall getting a direct answer last time...
If this is the fault of the Firewall, then why did AVAST 4.8 run perfectly well? Could it be because it was already installed and running, before I installed Ashampoo Firewall???
TECH
This is what it says...
Your hosts file is ok..!Already answered by Asyn.
Already answered by Asyn.
I'm empty to guess which is blocking your access to avast servers.
Asyn
I just clicked your link...
If this is indeed the case then how come I was told to change my Ashampoo Firewall for Comodo. By none other than...YOU ASYN...
Oh... There are two firewalls remains messing the system? ???
Lukor
I didn't have HijackThis, but I've downloaded and installed it.
Did a system scan, coudn't/can't see any reference to this...
Can't see 'LSP network extensions' or 'Local Service Provider Net Ext' or anything like it, at least it doesn't jump out at me?
Because I have since discovered - only a short while ago in fact - that people have been/are having the same problems with Comodo too.
Here Asyn...
So what are you saying, that the problem between Avast and Comodo has been resolved?Well... There isn't any "opened" problem here in forums.
So what are you saying, that the problem between Avast and Comodo has been resolved?
The bad news is...
I'm going to have to find and start teaching a new Firewall the way I operate my PC!
Hi TechNo, they're related to Comodo Internet Security (and its Defense+).
Are these tips in regard to PCTools?
Thanks for that Tech, but it'll be a cold day in hell before I venture down that road again. I've just installed PCTools Firewall. It's like chalk and cheese. Calm, sedate and orderly. this is the way I would call it. Absolutely no urgent, in your face, paranoia! It's just like Ashampoo before the Avast update. If it carries on like this, I'll be more than happy, fingers crossed.