After installing Avast Home, unable to connect to internet

[TheRoni]

I'm sorry, I'll try to be as detailed as possible. This is a friend's computer I was working on, and I've encountered a huge problem. I installed a new hard drive for him and deleted some crap that was slowing his machine down. I followed "standard procedure" running Spybot and Ad-aware, as well as CCleaner. That's when I realized that he was running an expired version of Norton. I downloaded Avast!, uninstalled Norton, UNPLUGGED THE ETHERNET (does this matter? I thought I was doing the right thing), installed Avast!, restarted, and a virus was found and deleted. Now, his machine will not connect to the internet. Can anyone think of why? This is a very good friend of mine, and his machine is actually used by many members of his family, which makes me feel really bad about this. Here's all the details I know about his setup; sorry, I couldn't post from there because of no internet

WinXP SP2
Emachines
Celeron 2ghz
256 ram (I think)
Internet connection straight to cable modem, no router

The internet connection reports that "there was a problem renewing the IP." I went into ipconfig and released the IP, rebooted, and renewed, but to no avail. Still no internet.

Thanks guys, and sorry for the lack of info.

[Eddy]

Have you tried with IP set to DHCP?

What file was detected as infected?
What was that files original location?
(See Avast's log file)

[TheRoni]

Yes, the IP is set to DHCP.  I can't check out what virus was found until I go over there tomorrow, but I will and I'll post back.  I had him restart the DHCP service and the DNS service, but to no avail (I have him on the phone right now).  I found this article (http://ntcompatible.com/thread28877-1.html) and I wonder if that could be the issue... the Norton uninstall.  He's looking for his norton disk to reinstall like that says, and then I'll have him uninstall it with that thing.  I doubt that will work, but it's a shot.

[Eddy]

There is no need for him to reinstall NAV, just let him use the uninstall util. That will remove NAV thoroughly.

Since NAV and Avast don't work together it may that he need to do a repair of Avast.
(start > control panel > add/remove > Avast > change > repair)

Keep us informed

[S.Z.Craftec]

There is no need to reinstall Norton and then uninstall it. You can find some info on Microsoft web site, and it says this:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.  
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate the following Registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\DHCP -> DependOnService
Note The variable lists SYMTDI.  
4. Edit the value to remove SYMTDI from the dependency list.  
5. Restart the computer.

That should solve his problem.

Cheers and Merry Christmas !

[TheRoni]

Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it.  He installed Norton (what a horrible program, he said his machine barely cranked along after that).  It turns out that he has Norton 2004, not 2003 as the article mentioned.  I'm burning a Knoppix distro for him until we get his Windows fixed, and that way I can download whatever I need to.  I think, worst comes to worst, I'll just reformat it.  The computer could use it anyways.

[S.Z.Craftec]

Norton 2003, Norton 2004 - same thing... huge system hog, and not so good antivirus as it used to be. All we can hear from users these days, are unfortunately just complains, nothing good.

Edit that registry key and I'm sure it will help you bring back his internet connection, and save you a lot of work with reformatting his HD, reinstalling and configuring Windows all over again, installing all those programs etc...  

[TheRoni]

I didn't see your post, SZ, it snuck in there while I was typing that response

I'll definately go for that.  It makes sense... this makes me hate Norton even more.  I cannot stand their sh*t software.  

Thank you so much.  I'll have my friend thank you, as well!  Merry Christmas!

[S.Z.Craftec]

No problem, just please make sure to post back and keep us informed. We want to be sure that you did everything properly, and finaly solved that problem...  

Cheers !

[TheRoni]

I'll definately post back, probably a little before this time tomorrow, after the festivities are over and I can make it over to his house.  Thanks again, and once again, Happy Holidays!

[TheRoni]

Well, turns out he didn't have that registry entry.  My other friend brought over some CD he made a long time ago, and he ran some program I was thinking about trying but I didn't think it would work, but sure enough, it worked!  I'll get the name of it the next time I go over there.

[Lisandro]

Now, his machine will not connect to the internet.

I had to remove NAV a long time ago...
Well, I survived untill now... I'm avast since then  

1) Please, browse the Symantec website and download the specific uninstall tool for NAV. It will clean trash left behing by NAV (files, registry keys). You need this to proper working with avast.

2) Can you try to repair your installation? Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > avast! antivirus > Remove then choose Repair function in the popup window (Repair).

3) If this does not help, can you uninstall / boot / install / boot again?

4) Can you reinstall Windows over your own installation?

5) You can delete folders/files under either 'Norton' or 'Symantec' folder, the others under Liveupdate folders and ApplicationData...

6) On Registry, well good Registry Cleaners could do some work.
But, for me, the only thing I would worry about is the VDD keys. You must have the following entry there:

C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswMonVd.dll

Can you post the contents of these Windows Registry keys in your system?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\\VDD
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\\VDD
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\\VDD
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\\VDD
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet004\Control\VirtualDeviceDrivers\\VDD

Well, about connection:
Make sure your browser is not set to "Work Offline" (this option is generally in the File menu). If it doesn't help, try switching the proxy settings from "Auto-detect" to "No proxy" (I'm assuming you're not connecting to the Internet via proxy).

Left click the avast icon > Settings
Update (Basic) > Details > Proxy

[Lisandro]

Maybe this thread give you a clue too...

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=4;action=display;threadid=9944;start=15

For NAV removal: http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/2001092114452606

[TheRoni]

Well, it works now.  Thanks anyways though guys!

[Lisandro]

Well, it works now.  Thanks anyways though guys!

Nice... It's good to be a solved problem.
Have a Happy New avast Year