I've had been using Avast since July. I used the free registration process, and had no problems for quite a while.
I'm suddenly having a lot of problems. The day after I individually scanned some files for viruses, Avast disappeared from my task bar. Looked in the directory, and most of the key exe files in the Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast 4 directory are gone. Even the avast graphic for the shortcut on my desktop was gone. Downloaded the program again, used the windows XP control panel uninstall program. Then tried to reinstall Avast again. Same thing happened... except this time I watched the key exe files disappear from the Alwil Software\Avast 4 directory on windows explorer leaving holes where the files were supposed to be. Rebooted. Same thing happened.
Went to this website. Found out about aswclear.exe program. Tried using the aswclear.exe. Rebooted. Reinstalled. Same thing. Watched the key avast exe files disappear again from windows explorer.
Rebooted. Used aswclear.exe to remove avast. Threw my hands up and gave up. Rebooted. Downloaded the avg antivirus software and tried to install that. That installation failed do to avgamsvr.exe file. Rebooted. Same thing.
That was a few days ago. Since then, I've tried several other types of anti-virus software. All these installations fail. I've tried several different types of full anti-virus scans. I've run symNRT.exe a couple of times. Having done all that, I came back to the avast software to try another install. Same thing. Disappearing avast exe files before my eyes on windows explorer.
The problem is with avast. Something is both hiding the key avast exe files to prevent the avast software from being usable, yet is preserving enough of the avast software on my system to prevent me from installing any other anti-virus software.
I've heard some types of virus/malware can disable anti-virus software. Is this a virus/malware, or is this a avast bug, or is this a feature of the avast software registration code?