Fed up with Avast Premier

[REDACTED]

I renewed by Premier subscription a month ago.  Since then my machine was freezing totally after about 15mins on the internet.  Took me a while (and a million re-boots) to work out that this was some stupid conflict between Firefox and Avast, which was resolved by updating to the 2016 Avast version. 

All went swimmingly till today, where I now have a message saying that I'm unprotected.  Great.  Avast Anti-virus has stopped running and won't restart (although the Firewall seems to be working).  Perfect.  Simultaneously, Windows Security Centre is telling me that I need to check the settings of Malware Protection. 

I've looked this up on the forums again and the solutions seem to involve uninstalling 2016, downloading it again, putting something into safe mode,  reinstalling -  then people who said this didn't work for them - possibly updating Java and something else yet again - and even fix for this including a fix the "might break your computer".   What???

Is anyone else fed up? 

I had no problems till a month ago.  Is this version duff?

Should I spend more hours trawling through the latest bloody set of solutions or give up and look for some other program?  I just don't have this kind of time. 

(I'm running on vista, of all stupid platforms - long story - don't buy a Vaio)

Thanks in advance

[Be Secure]

- Which version of Premier..?
- Other security related software installed..?
- Which AV(s) did you use before Avast..?
- Did you try Repair..?

[REDACTED]

Hi BeSecure - thank you for hearing my desperate plea.

1.  It's the version currently at the top of the forum  - AVAST 2016 (build number 2016.11.1.2241)
I did it as an update from the software Update dashboard when I saw that message on the forum (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=178580.0) 

However, when I try to see what version it is now on the dashboard, it says:

Virus Definitions
Current version: Unknown
Release date: Unknown
Connection: Not established
Latest update received: ---

Program
Current version: 11.1.2241
Release date: 01/01/1970 00:00:00

2.  Windows Security Centre
Firewall appears to be on
it's not on an automatic update
virus protection not monitored
windows defender is out of date

I've not changed anything on this.  This has been happil running alongside avast for about 2 years

3. Previous AV was McAfee and although I thought I uninstalled it, it tells me I'm not protected.  I've learned to live with it.

4. I didn't try Repair - should I?
On the main avast home page where it says that I am unprotected, it says "Avast background service not running", I pressed "Resolve All" and I also pressed "Start Now" to no avail. 
I'm guessing this is not the same as Repair - right?  Repair is probably on that list of possible things that I could do that I'm wondering if it is worth doing?

Many thanks in advance for your help

C

[Eddy]

Is your system date/time still correct ?
Did you use the removal tool for McAfee ?
Did you removed McAfee before installing avast ?

[Pondus]

3. Previous AV was McAfee and although I thought I uninstalled it, it tells me I'm not protected.  I've learned to live with it.

Uninstalling a third-party antivirus software  https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB11#artTitle

[bob3160]

How to Successfully Install Avast:
http://goo.gl/VLXde

[REDACTED]

Hello Eddy - thanks for responding
(1) Yes - system date and time appear to be correct
(2) McAfee Removal tool - now this was 2 years ago.  I wouldn't have just done uninstall from windows control panel.  If I know me I would have google what to do and done what was recommended.  It rings a bell that this was a McAfee uninstall utility of some kind, but I am unable to confirm.
(3) Yes - I removed the old AV before putting a new one on.

Thank you Pondus - I'll go through these  and uninstall everything

Thank you Bob3160 - I'll then follow your instructions. 

Fingers Crossed.

I'm guessing you all think it's not a lost cause - easy to despair when software takes up more of your life than you were intending.  Thanks for your support.

Best wishes

C

[Eddy]

I'm guessing you all think it's not a lost cause

Let's say that we do not give up easily

[REDACTED]

Kept the faith.  Followed your instructions.  All good now.  Thank you all so much!  C   

[bob3160]

Kept the faith.  Followed your instructions.  All good now.  Thank you all so much!  C   

Nice to hear your problem's solved.