Can't start background service or start a scan or do anything

[REDACTED]

Hi, I have been using avast for severalmonths but suddenly I noticed that the background service isn't running. I tried to start it but nothing happened. I tried to run a scan and the message "There are no more endpoints available from the endpoint mapper" appeared. I can logon to my account and everything looks fine. I don't notice any other symptoms of any kind of malware.

I followed the advice on the forum and downloaded/ran Malwarebytes, Farbar and aswMBR; here are the logs. There is another one called protection-log from malwarebytes but I can't attach it as I'm only allowed 4.

Thanks!

[Pondus]

There is another one called protection-log from malwarebytes but I can't attach it as I'm only allowed 4.

then you just reply to your post and attach it there       however that log is not needed

[essexboy]

It looks as though Avast has thrown a bit of a wobbly as you have several pending emupdates running.  A repair will probably not cure this so I would suggest a full re-install 



CAUTION :  This fix is only valid for this specific machine, using it on another may break your computer

Open notepad and copy/paste the text in the quotebox below into it:
 

CreateRestorePoint:
HKLM-x32\...\RunOnce: [aswAhAScr.dll] => "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswRegSvr.exe" "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AhAScr.dll"
HKLM-x32\...\RunOnce: [aswasOutExt.dll] => "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswRegSvr.exe" "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\asOutExt.dll"
HKLM-x32\...\RunOnce: [aswasOutExt64.dll] => "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswRegSvr64.exe" "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\asOutExt64.dll"
HKLM-x32\...\RunOnce: [20131224] => C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\setup\emupdate\d9dc9cae-50e3-4f25-b388-d75c04915c9f.exe [181136 2014-05-02] (AVAST Software)
HKLM-x32\...\RunOnce: [20140526] => C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\setup\emupdate\945a37de-e172-411e-a903-58fabb682b26.exe [182720 2014-05-28] (AVAST Software)
HKLM-x32\...\RunOnce: [20140529] => C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\setup\emupdate\71562a07-f590-419e-8597-975b8a618395.exe [183208 2014-05-31] (AVAST Software)
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer: Policy restriction <======= ATTENTION
URLSearchHook: [S-1-5-21-1377747507-4165520261-2543380438-1001] ATTENTION ==> Default URLSearchHook is missing.
URLSearchHook: [S-1-5-21-1377747507-4165520261-2543380438-1002] ATTENTION ==> Default URLSearchHook is missing.
SearchScopes: HKU\S-1-5-21-1377747507-4165520261-2543380438-1006 -> DefaultScope {0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A} URL =
SearchScopes: HKU\S-1-5-21-1377747507-4165520261-2543380438-1006 -> {0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A} URL =
BHO-x32: No Name -> {0E8A89AD-95D7-40EB-8D9D-083EF7066A01} ->  No File
Toolbar: HKLM - No Name - {318A227B-5E9F-45bd-8999-7F8F10CA4CF5} -  No File
Toolbar: HKLM - No Name - {CC1A175A-E45B-41ED-A30C-C9B1D7A0C02F} -  No File
AlternateDataStreams: C:\Users\Pat\Desktop\Lurujarri Song part 1.jpeg:3or4kl4x13tuuug3Byamue2s4b
AlternateDataStreams: C:\Users\Pat\Desktop\Lurujarri Song part 1.jpeg:{4c8cc155-6c1e-11d1-8e41-00c04fb9386d}
AlternateDataStreams: C:\Users\Pat\Desktop\Lurujarri song part 2.jpeg:3or4kl4x13tuuug3Byamue2s4b
AlternateDataStreams: C:\Users\Pat\Desktop\Lurujarri song part 2.jpeg:{4c8cc155-6c1e-11d1-8e41-00c04fb9386d}
AlternateDataStreams: C:\Users\Pat\Desktop\NPWS Application.jpeg:3or4kl4x13tuuug3Byamue2s4b
AlternateDataStreams: C:\Users\Pat\Desktop\NPWS Application.jpeg:{4c8cc155-6c1e-11d1-8e41-00c04fb9386d}
AlternateDataStreams: C:\Users\Pat\Desktop\Pensioner Concession Card.jpeg:3or4kl4x13tuuug3Byamue2s4b
AlternateDataStreams: C:\Users\Pat\Desktop\Pensioner Concession Card.jpeg:{4c8cc155-6c1e-11d1-8e41-00c04fb9386d}
AlternateDataStreams: C:\Users\Pat\Documents\petepassport.jpeg:3or4kl4x13tuuug3Byamue2s4b
AlternateDataStreams: C:\Users\Pat\Documents\petepassport.jpeg:{4c8cc155-6c1e-11d1-8e41-00c04fb9386d}
C:\ProgramData\SetStretch.exe
C:\ProgramData\SetStretch.VBS
EmptyTemp:
CMD: bitsadmin /reset /allusers

 
Save this as fixlist.txt, in the same location as FRST.exe

Run FRST and press Fix
On completion a log will be generated please post that

THEN

Download Avast Uninstall Utility to your Desktop.
Download the correct version of Avast 
Avast Free
Avast Pro
Avast Internet Security
Avast Premier
Disconnect from the net
Uninstall Avast via control panel

• Run the uninstall tool and accept the reboot to safe mode
• Once complete reboot your system
• Reinstall Avast

----------

[REDACTED]

Thank you Essexboy.

I actually kept on trying to fix the problem after I posted my query, and managed to get Avast working again by simply re-installing and rebooting although I had to do it twice before it was fixed. 

Should I adopt the maxim that if it works, don't fix it? Or should I go ahead and run FRST with the fixlist you posted in case there are still some hidden problems?  I have since done some cleanup of stuff I don't need any more and note that at least one of the files in the fixlist no longer exists.

Next time I will be more patient, as your fix is clearly more robust than mine!

[essexboy]

I like that policy don't fix it if it is working

No do not run FRST fix leave it for a day or so and if Avast behaves itself we will tidy up