Anti Virus stopped unable to restart

[ianjudy]

Avast 5  installed 3rd December 2011 - worked OK till last week when I fired up to find warning on Avast icon.  On checking found Anti virus OFF everything else OK.  When try to turn on, told there is a fatal error.  Tried to remove program but' fatal error - set up cannot continue'.  So I now have unprotected computer and inability to remove programme to install something which works...... help!  Not a techy, so plain language please!  Cheers,  Judy

[Asyn]

- Which avast!..?? (Free/Pro/IS)
- OS..?? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP..?)

[ianjudy]

 It was the Pro. We have a laptop with Vista on it. Hope that helps. Judy

[Asyn]

1. Download avast! Pro Antivirus: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
2. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
3. Reinstall avast! with the downloaded installer from point 1.
4. Reboot.

[ianjudy]

Thank you, Asyn. Will now try. Judy

[Asyn]

Thank you, Asyn. Will now try. Judy

You're welcome.

[ianjudy]

Hi Asyn
Followed your instructions but after downloading first http, it wouldn't open fully.  Message came up "An error 0 (00000000) has occurred.  Last performed operation was: spawning"  As a result I was unable to get to the Uninstall instruction.
Then downloaded the next http you suggested /uninstall-utility.  Message came up "C:/Programs Files/Alwil Software/Avast5/setup/part-setup_ais-557.vpx".  Set up cannot continue.

Our Avast is:  6.0.1367   Virus definitions version - unknown.   It was installed on 3rd December 2011.

When I try to start Antispam thru Avast icon.  Message "Unable to start Antispam "Shield unreachable"  Comes up.

Tried the Support service - says it doesn't recognise me or my email address.

Went thru the Support instructions to start Avast manually as per troubleshooting & Services MSCMessage comes up "Antivirus service on local computer started and then stopped.  Some services stop automatically if not in use by other services or programmes."

I just want to delete Avast completely but nothing will allow me to proceed to remove it from my computer.  When I try and uninstall thro Control Panel  Message comes up "Unable to proceed with Set up"..... let alone uninstal. 
PLEASE will someone tell me in SIMPLE terms how to remove this programme from my computer!!  I paid good money for it and its now costing me hours and hours of my time and keeping my computer wide open to any virus.
Thank you!
Judy

[DJBone]

Hi Judy!

Have you downloaded the files from Asyn's links or have you executed them directly (it sounds so)?

DJBone