Can't install on Windows 98SE

[jayfl]

I did a couple of searches for this but didn't find a solution - I get to the Setup Finished screen and the program says that there was an error while completing the setup process.

I can post the whole error if anyone requests it, but these are the problems as far as I can tell:

02.11.2008 20:32:57 package: program: installed 119 files (16121302 bytes), removed 0 files
02.11.2008 20:32:57 general: news: updated
02.11.2008 20:34:19 package: vps: can't write to C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\400.vps, error code: 0x00000005

Let me know if you need more information. I'm running Windows 98 SE and Tiny Personal Firewall. I read on the forums that installing the beta version will help - is there a way to do that with a clean install? I obviously can't upgrade to beta because I cannot install Avast at all. I've tried using the uninstaller run in safe mode first as well.

Please help! I love Avast, have it running on my other desktop (XP) and my laptop (Vista).

[DavidR]

I wouldn't advise the beta as a means of getting avast installed.

Have (or did) you another AV installed in this system, if so what was it and how did you get rid of it ?

The last line you posted:
02.11.2008 20:34:19 package: vps: can't write to C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\400.vps, error code: 0x00000005

The error 0x00000005, windows error code 5 = Access is denied.  So for some reason avast is being denied write access to its folder location, strange.

Do you have any other security programs installed ?

[Mike Buxton]

Hi jayfl,

My knowledge is well short of helping with your installation problem. However, I'm a well satisfied W98SE user of the free Home version and  I thoroughly recommend that you that you persevere with the advice proffered here so that you may form your own opinion.

There are two post installation quirks that W98 users may need to be aware of:
(1) You'll need to set "Localhost 12080" in your browser(s), e.g. IE, Firefox, opera, and
(2) If you "lose" icons after doing a manual scan - don't worry just reboot to fix the problem.

DavidR solved a problem for me so I'm pleased he's helping you too.

My regards

 

[jayfl]

DavidR,

I had AVG 7.5 installed but it took too long to update/install updates and the latest version (8.0) doesn't support 98. I've gotten ClamWin installed as well (separately obviously).
I got AVG uninstalled by booting into safe mode.

There are no other security programs except firewall. I used to have Spybot and Ad-Aware installed - I don't think either of them are installed anymore though, unless they're hiding in the registry.
I could try uninstalling or disabling the firewall, but I don't think it's blocking installation to that folder, it's not a very advanced program.

[oldman]

Perhaps a bit of AVG is hanging around, it's getting a little harder to remove. See if this helps. It's a removal tool, though it may not work on 98se

http://www.avg.com/filedir/util/avg_arm_sup_____.dir/avgremover.exe

I'm on 98se also and no problems.

[DavidR]

If after running the AVG removal tool oldman suggests you have any problem I would suggest a clean reinstall of avast.

Download the latest version of avast http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html and save it to your HDD (if you didn't save the original download), somewhere you can find it again. Use that when you reinstall.

Download the avast! Uninstall Utility, find it here and save it to your HDD.
1. Now uninstall (using add remove programs, if you can't do that start from the next step), reboot.
2. run the avast! Uninstall Utility, reboot.  If step 1 failed it may be necessary to run this from safe mode, once complete reboot into normal mode.
3. install the latest version, reboot.

Spybot S&D and AdAware even if installed shouldn't cause that kind of error. If you used windows add remove programs to uninstall them they are not so bad as to leave remnants, but that is something we can look at later if necessary.

[jayfl]

I can't get the AVG uninstaller that oldman posted to work (I get a message that a .dll is missing even though I doublechecked by extracting it from the CD).
I did try CCleaner and another registry cleaner to see if there were leftover AVG files and they found several.
I ran the Avast uninstaller utility again (the last time I tried it booting into safe mode first) but when I install Avast I get the same error message that it can't write to the program files folder.

[jayfl]

Nevermind.

Thanks for your suggestions, all, but I managed to solve the problem myself. I booted into safe mode and managed to install Avast, but it wouldn't update properly. So I upgraded to the beta version and now it works!

[DavidR]

Good work, so long as it is working the beta is relatively stable, hopefully it won't be long befor it is either refreshed or released as a regular update.