Can't install -- complains of non-existent other antivirus program

[REDACTED]

When I attempt to install Avast, I am told that "Another antivirus program has been detected." It names Avira Antivirus, which I used to use, but it has been completely uninstalled.  When I attempt to continue, I get the following error: "Avast cannot be installed into the folder you entered. (The path is valid)."  I have not yet attempted to specify any path.  This happens regardless of whether I use the online (5 MB) or offline (192 MB) installer, and whether I choose "Install" or "Customize" from the first screen.  I'm running Windows XP SP3, which the download page says is compatible.

Below are all the steps I've attempted to resolve the issue, based on advice from other threads:

• Ensure that all instances of Avira have been uninstalled via Add/Remove Programs.
• Reboot in safe mode and run the Avira manual uninstall utility (avira_registry_cleaner_en.exe)
• Manually search through the registry and delete remaining mentions of Avira.
• Run the avastclear.exe uninstall utility in safe mode (even though Avast has never been installed on this machine)

Any other ideas? Is there a way to get the Avast installer to skip the "check for other antivirus programs" check, since it isn't working properly (if that is what's actually causing the problem)?

[Pondus]

Have you run CCleaner and let it also clean register?

[Eddy]

http://www.avira.com/en/support-for-home-knowledgebase-detail/kbid/902

Also look in the Windows System(32) folder for files from Avira.

[lynn1102]

I just started having the same problem.  Mt Avast Pro stopped working, so I downloaded a new copy and it's doing the same thing, only mine mentions PC Cleaner Pro as the "other virus program".  I know what it is and I have never had it.  I can't find it anywhere on my machine - spent about 8 hours looking.  Add/Remove program doesn't show it,  Malware Bytes can't find it, search can't find it. Regedit can't find it, and I fired up an old version of Ad-Aware and that can't find it.  I tried both regular and sage mode.
When I click continue to try to get it going, it tells me it can't be install in the I selected - I didn't select one yet.  This machine is used in a small business and is very seldom connected directly to the net, but I would rather be safe than sorry.
I even tried downloading the free version and got the same results.

Lynn

[Be Secure]

Repair Avast:
1. Control Panel -> Add/Remove programs -> Avast
2. Click on 'Repair'.
3. Follow instructions.
4. Reboot.@lynn1102

[Pondus]

I just started having the same problem.  Mt Avast Pro stopped working, so I downloaded a new copy and it's doing the same thing, only mine mentions PC Cleaner Pro as the "other virus program".  I know what it is and I have never had it.  I can't find it anywhere on my machine - spent about 8 hours looking.  Add/Remove program doesn't show it,  Malware Bytes can't find it, search can't find it. Regedit can't find it, and I fired up an old version of Ad-Aware and that can't find it.  I tried both regular and sage mode.
When I click continue to try to get it going, it tells me it can't be install in the I selected - I didn't select one yet.  This machine is used in a small business and is very seldom connected directly to the net, but I would rather be safe than sorry.
I even tried downloading the free version and got the same results.

Lynn

It seems you may be infected with a rouge AV program

see instructions here  >>  https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0
scoll down to second picture > Farbar Recovery Scan Tool < run as instructed and attach the two diagnostic logs

See below the box you write in > Attachments and other options

[lynn1102]

Pondus,  Here are the logs.  Reading thru them I did notice PC Cleaner was listed as disabled.  I wasn't sure what to do with it, so as of now it's still there.  Was wondering if I could delete that file or if something else had to be done.  Files attached.  Thanks

[Pondus]

@lynn1102
Essexboy will assits you when back online tomorrow     

[Eddy]

Bitdefender (ad-aware) also need to bee removed before installing avast.

[REDACTED]

not sure if this is correct post or section to post in, but iv got issues with being unable to update both engines and programmes, iv tried everything from leaving it to run over night (still nuthing) to trying to remove avast and install, but it wont allow me to remove programme,
help?!??!?! what am i doin wrong....

[Eddy]

Please start your own thread

[essexboy]

Adaware is also installed and running

Ad-Aware Antivirus (HKLM\...\{A6E2BA31-F8AF-4DD0-806D-B884D8DDBBAD}_AdAwareUpdater) (Version: 11.10.767.8917 - Lavasoft)
AdAwareInstaller (Version: 11.10.767.8917 - Lavasoft) Hidden
AdAwareUpdater (Version: 11.10.767.8917 - Lavasoft) Hidden

2016-01-28 16:44 - 2016-01-28 16:44 - 00659872 _____ () C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware Antivirus\Ad-Aware Antivirus\11.10.767.8917\AdAwareService.exe
2016-01-28 16:47 - 2016-01-28 16:47 - 00023296 _____ () C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware Antivirus\Ad-Aware Antivirus\11.10.767.8917\boost_system-vc120-mt-1_57.dll
2016-01-28 16:47 - 2016-01-28 16:47 - 00047368 _____ () C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware Antivirus\Ad-Aware Antivirus\11.10.767.8917\boost_date_time-vc120-mt-1_57.dll
2016-01-28 16:47 - 2016-01-28 16:47 - 00108808 _____ () C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware Antivirus\Ad-Aware Antivirus\11.10.767.8917\boost_filesystem-vc120-mt-1_57.dll
2016-01-28 16:47 - 2016-01-28 16:47 - 08872184 _____ () C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware Antivirus\Ad-Aware Antivirus\11.10.767.8917\AdAwareServiceKernel.dll
2016-01-28 16:47 - 2016-01-28 16:47 - 02372816 _____ () C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware Antivirus\Ad-Aware Antivirus\11.10.767.8917\RCF.dll
2016-01-28 16:47 - 2016-01-28 16:47 - 00634624 _____ () C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware Antivirus\Ad-Aware Antivirus\11.10.767.8917\boost_regex-vc120-mt-1_57.dll

Plus about 20 other processes

So prior to running the fix below uninstall Ad-Aware

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\...\Run: [AdAwareTray] => C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware Antivirus\Ad-Aware Antivirus\11.10.767.8917\AdAwareTray.exe [8007392 2016-01-28] ()
HKU\S-1-5-21-2025429265-1004336348-725345543-1003\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = hxxp://searchinterneat-a.akamaihd.net/h?eq=U0EeCFZVBB8SRggTdw8JAwhIRRgVIQteTA1HQlYOIg4NUxRGRQNFJl8BUg1BRVQFIk0FA1ADB0VXfVBdFElXTwhuIVdBM1wCVFlXM3FNAw==
URLSearchHook: [S-1-5-21-2025429265-1004336348-725345543-1003] ATTENTION => Default URLSearchHook is missing
URLSearchHook: HKU\S-1-5-21-2025429265-1004336348-725345543-1003 - SweetIM ToolbarURLSearchHook Class - {EEE6C35D-6118-11DC-9C72-001320C79847} - C:\Program Files\SweetIM\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\mgHelper.dll No File
FF NewTab: hxxp://searchinterneat-a.akamaihd.net/t?eq=U0EeFFhaR1oWHAUUdghaUAAVDANCcl8VVQ8SQhhBdwwKTA4VF1NFJgALVQkVQBNBNARaB0tXUUEeGGlxR1dMbFRNOWtdEkwdVUZrNVs=
FF Keyword.URL: hxxp://searchinterneat-a.akamaihd.net/s?eq=U0EeE1xZE1oZB1ZEfQkPVwgTEAxHbQ9ZU19cFQNAIxRaVgxDDAJHdl9eBwBCFQVHIR9aFQQTR0cFME0FB18EURNNfXRZD0AjREZWLE1LKUwT&q={searchTerms}
R2 LavasoftAdAwareService11; C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware Antivirus\Ad-Aware Antivirus\11.10.767.8917\AdAwareService.exe [659872 2016-01-28] ()
R3 avc3; C:\WINDOWS\System32\DRIVERS\avc3.sys [1254920 2016-01-05] (BitDefender)
R3 avchv; C:\WINDOWS\System32\DRIVERS\avchv.sys [261400 2016-01-05] (BitDefender)
R3 avckf; C:\WINDOWS\System32\DRIVERS\avckf.sys [638976 2016-01-05] (BitDefender)
R3 Bdfndisf; C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware Antivirus\Firewall Engine\1.6.0.0\Drivers\bdfndisf.sys [116248 2015-01-06] (BitDefender LLC)
R1 bdftdif; C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware Antivirus\Firewall Engine\1.6.0.0\Drivers\bdftdif.sys [130640 2015-01-06] (BitDefender LLC)
R1 bdselfpr; C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware Antivirus\Antimalware Engine\3.0.99.0\bdselfpr.sys [135600 2015-12-09] (BitDefender LLC)
R3 gzflt; C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware Antivirus\Antimalware Engine\3.0.99.0\gzflt.sys [169992 2015-12-09] (BitDefender LLC)
S3 Trufos; C:\WINDOWS\System32\DRIVERS\Trufos.sys [408280 2015-12-09] (BitDefender S.R.L.)
2016-04-04 19:33 - 2016-04-04 19:33 - 00000000 ____D C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Application Data\Lavasoft
2016-04-04 19:20 - 2016-04-04 19:20 - 00000000 ____D C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Application Data\BitDefender
2016-04-04 19:20 - 2016-04-04 19:20 - 00000000 ____D C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Application Data\BitDefender
2016-04-04 19:17 - 2016-04-04 19:17 - 00000000 ____D C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Application Data\LavasoftStatistics
2016-04-04 19:17 - 2015-01-06 12:47 - 00842368 _____ (BitDefender S.R.L.) C:\WINDOWS\system32\bdsmtpp.dll
2016-04-04 19:17 - 2015-01-06 12:47 - 00179560 _____ (BitDefender) C:\WINDOWS\system32\BdFirewallSDK.dll
2016-04-04 19:17 - 2015-01-06 12:47 - 00161544 _____ (BitDefender) C:\WINDOWS\system32\httproxy.dll
2016-04-04 19:17 - 2015-01-06 12:47 - 00136824 _____ (BitDefender S.R.L.) C:\WINDOWS\system32\bdpop3p.dll
2016-04-04 19:17 - 2015-01-06 12:47 - 00135288 _____ C:\WINDOWS\system32\bdfwcore.dll
2016-04-04 19:17 - 2015-01-06 12:47 - 00110568 _____ (BitDefender) C:\WINDOWS\system32\OEMbdpredir.dll
2016-04-04 19:17 - 2015-01-06 12:47 - 00086896 _____ (BitDefender) C:\WINDOWS\system32\bdpredir.dll
2016-04-04 19:16 - 2016-04-05 16:39 - 00002089 _____ C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Desktop\Ad-Aware Antivirus.lnk
2016-04-04 19:16 - 2016-04-04 19:16 - 00000000 ____D C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\Lavasoft
2016-04-04 19:16 - 2016-04-04 19:16 - 00000000 ____D C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\Lavasoft
2016-04-04 19:14 - 2016-04-04 19:14 - 00000000 ____D C:\Program Files\Common Files\Lavasoft
2016-04-04 19:13 - 2016-04-04 19:13 - 00000000 ____D C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Application Data\Lavasoft
2016-04-04 19:13 - 2016-04-04 19:13 - 00000000 ____D C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Application Data\Lavasoft
C:\Documents and Settings\Lynn\VOBMerger.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\VOBMerger.exe
AV: PC Cleaner Pro (Disabled - Up to date) {737A8864-C2D9-4337-B49A-B5E35815B9BB}
AV: Ad-Aware Antivirus (Enabled - Up to date) {22CB8761-914A-11CF-B705-00AA0062CBB7}
FW: Ad-Aware Firewall (Disabled) {9211320F-6C40-4035-BBDE-3C96ED504F33}
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft
Reg: reg delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\IPSec\Policy\Local /f
Reg: reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\IPSec\Policy\Local /f
RemoveProxy:
EmptyTemp:

 
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

Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your desktop.

• Close all open programs and internet browsers.
• Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.
  
• Click on Scan.
  
• After the scan is complete click on "Clean"
• Confirm each time with Ok.
  
• Your computer will be rebooted automatically. A text file will open after the restart.
• Please post the content of that logfile with your next answer.
• You can find the logfile at C:\AdwCleaner[S0].txt as well.
  

[lynn1102]

The first thing I did was to use Revo to uninstall AdAware.  This gets rid of the program, then scans the registry and hard drive and gets rid of all the junk.  When I ran adwcleaner, I got a message that it didn't find anything, so I have no log to post.  OK, I think I got this done right.  Am posting the log.

Lynn

[essexboy]

OK could you now retry Avast please

Avast Free

[lynn1102]

I just finished the free version of Avast and it installed with no problem.  Looks like the problem, whatever it was has been solved.  One more question for you.  How do I get my pro version back with the license?