XP > System Restore > trouble

[davexnet]

Hello,
I'm running avast! Free.  today, I had need to do a System Restore in XP to a restore point I took
about 12 hours earlier.  First, I disabled avast's self protection module.

The system restore was successful .  However, Avast seems to have converted itself
from the Free version to the Pro, and it's warning me my subscription has expired, and
it will no longer download any updates.

When you right click the icon/about avast, it says at the top of the screen in red,
"trial period not activated" and under that avast! Pro Antivirus.

Please advise.

[iroc9555]

Windows Restore leaves Avast! with so many glitches that the best way to have Avast! up and running again is to reinstall it clean. Follow this instructions please:

1.) Very important to remove all remains of other AVs installed before Avast. Use this site to execute uninstall utilities for other AVs.

http://singularlabs.com/uninstallers/security-software/

2.) Download and save to your desktop aswclear.exe

3.) Download and save a fresh copy of Avast!.

http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe

4.) Open Avast! > Settings > Troubleshooting > Uncheck " Enable Avast! self-defense module ".

5.) Uninstall Avast! normally through Control Panel > Programs & feature ( Vista, W7 ) or Add and remove programs ( XP ). Reboot. If you can not complete this step, continue with step # 6   

6.) Even if you were able to uninstall Avast! in step # 5, it is important to run aswclear.exe in safe mode for any Avast! you may have had before,e.g. v.6 o v.7, and then for v. 8. Reboot into normal mode after uninstall.

NOTE: aswclear has the ability to make your system go into Safe Mode. Just run it in normal mode and follow instructions.

7.) Reinstall fresh copy of Avast! and reboot.

Be aware. Avast! will offer Chrome during installment. Remember to opt-out if you do not want it.

[davexnet]

Thank you - I have successfully uninstalled, cleaned up and reinstalled the free version.

It seems odd that performing a restore causes the product to switch from free > pro.
Isn't this something that should be fixed?

I use system restore quite often in XP; it's a relatively normal thing to do.
To have the situation that avast! can't maintain itself through a restore,
is peculiar to say the least.

[iroc9555]

You are welcome.

V.6 and v.7 also had trouble with Windows restore but deactivating the defence module worked most of the time. Also it was a matter of how far back the restore was done.

This v.8 definitely has something else. There are several cases like yours around the forum.

It is better to get hold of an imaging program like Macrium, Paragon, or if you do not mind spending some money True Image by Acronis. Do an image partition of your system and have it safe in an external drive or DVD once a week.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-drive-imaging-program.htm
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/#overview