New to Avast Home Edition

[Souwalker]

Hi
Calling from sydney Australia.
I was recommended to use Avast in place of NAV which I have uing for over 7 years.
Is the home free edition really that good?
I am just curious at how would the free version be a good version if nothing is charged compared to the pro version. How is money made here?
I really don't mind paying for the pro version if it's significatly better, uses less resouces and catches virus better then the free version.
Any thoughts would be grateful.
You know how it is...been using Norton for so many years...better the devil you know then the devil you don't :-)
Best Rgds
patrick

[Lisandro]

Is the home free edition really that good?

Comparing to NAV? No doubt 
Boot time scanning, skins, updates completely incremental and automated... the list won't finish 

I am just curious at how would the free version be a good version if nothing is charged compared to the pro version. How is money made here?

It's free only for home (non-business) users. Money come from the server and professional versions.

I really don't mind paying for the pro version if it's significatly better, uses less resouces and catches virus better then the free version.

Patrick, avast Pro won't do what you want... I mean, the resources are the same, the virus database is the same... Ok, the Pro version could scan deeply into archive files... but the differences are other ones: you can schedule scannings and updates, you can use the Enhanced Interface, you can automate any kind of action to be taken if a virus is found...

Welcome to the paradise 
I'm on the other side of the planet... 12h of difference 

[Spiritsongs]

   Hi Patrick :

      However, don't even think about using Avast unless NAV
      is COMPLETELY removed by :

     1) "Uninstall" ALL "Components" from Add/Remove Programs

2) Run the "SymNRT" Tool from : www.majorgeeks.com/Norton_Removal_Tool_SymNRT_d4749.html           

3) Use your computer's "Search > All files and folders" for any "leftovers" & "Delete" them

4) Use a good "stand-alone" registry cleaner to remove entries there

[Souwalker]

Many thanks.
I uninstalled Norton via the Add/Remove function, then I installed Avast.
I did not do steps 2,3,4 though.
Am I stuffed?
Should I then uninstall Avast, run that tool, then install Avast again?
Thanks
Pat

[Lisandro]

Am I stuffed?

Maybe yes, maybe not...
You can run steps 1, 2, 3 even after installing avast. But I suggest this 'whole' procedure:

1) Remove NAV through Add/Remove programs from Control Panel. Boot.
2) Use Symantec removal tool following the three steps defined in the SymNRT tool info.
3) Boot.
4) Install avast! Boot.
5) See what you get.

Full SymNRT info:
1. Download and save these three files to the Windows desktop:
   a) ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/linked_files/tsgen/MSIFIX.bat
   b) ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/linked_files/tsgen/SymNRT.exe
   c) ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/linked_files/tsgen/SYMMSICLEANUP.reg

2. Run the three files that you just downloaded
   a) On the Windows desktop, double-click the MSIFIX icon.
      Click Run.
      A black window may appear very briefly.
   b) On the Windows desktop, double-click the SymNRT icon.
      Click Run.
      Click Next.
      Click I accept the License Agreement, and click Next.
      Type the letters and numbers that you see in the white box, and then click Next.
      Click Yes or OK at each prompt.
      You may need to click more than once. Your computer may be restarted for you more than once.
      You may be asked to repeat some steps after the computer restarts.
   c) On the Windows desktop, double-click the SYMMSICLEANUP icon.
      Click Run, and then click Yes.
      Click OK.

3. Boot.

[gnwd]

Only NAV? How about other antivirus products such as grisoft antivirus (AVG free).

Do I need some extra steps before installing avast?

[Lisandro]

Only NAV? How about other antivirus products such as grisoft antivirus (AVG free).

Pay attention if there is any Grisoft keys at Windows Registry, specially, Legacy drivers that could be left behind (non uninstalled) in the following paths:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\LEGACY_ etc. etc.

Do I need some extra steps before installing avast?

Fully remove (uninstall) all other antivirus installed in the past 

[Souwalker]

Am I stuffed?

Maybe yes, maybe not...
You can run steps 1, 2, 3 even after installing avast. But I suggest this 'whole' procedure:

1) Remove NAV through Add/Remove programs from Control Panel. Boot.
2) Use Symantec removal tool following the three steps defined in the SymNRT tool info.
3) Boot.
4) Install avast! Boot.
5) See what you get.

Full SymNRT info:
1. Download and save these three files to the Windows desktop:
   a) ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/linked_files/tsgen/MSIFIX.bat
   b) ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/linked_files/tsgen/SymNRT.exe
   c) ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/linked_files/tsgen/SYMMSICLEANUP.reg

2. Run the three files that you just downloaded
   a) On the Windows desktop, double-click the MSIFIX icon.
      Click Run.
      A black window may appear very briefly.
   b) On the Windows desktop, double-click the SymNRT icon.
      Click Run.
      Click Next.
      Click I accept the License Agreement, and click Next.
      Type the letters and numbers that you see in the white box, and then click Next.
      Click Yes or OK at each prompt.
      You may need to click more than once. Your computer may be restarted for you more than once.
      You may be asked to repeat some steps after the computer restarts.
   c) On the Windows desktop, double-click the SYMMSICLEANUP icon.
      Click Run, and then click Yes.
      Click OK.

3. Boot.

Thanks Tech.
Last night, I uninstalled Avast, boot then ran the SymNRT.exe file. Note, NAV was already uninstalled 2 night's ago.
After running symNRT, I reboot, installed Avast and rebooted. Looks ok.
Tech, can I still run those 3 files you mentioned even though NAV is already removed and Avast already installed?
Thanks
Pat

[DavidR]

If you are able to run the symNRT successfully then you probably don't need to run the three files Tech gave. Some haven't been able to run symNRT but were able to run the three individual steps.

Hopefully you are OK, welcome to the forums.

[Lisandro]

Tech, can I still run those 3 files you mentioned even though NAV is already removed and Avast already installed?

Pat, like David said, you don't need to run.
But you can run them all over again, in that order, as many times as you need to get rid from the Norton hog 

[Souwalker]

Many thanks all.
I've noticed this on a few occassion.
Sometimes wen I boot my PC, Avast does a boot scan (?) with a blue screen, whilst sometime when I reboot, this scan does not occur.
Under what conditions does this happen and how can I have more control whether I want a boot scan when xp is fired up or not?
Thanks
Patrick

[Lisandro]

Sometimes wen I boot my PC, Avast does a boot scan (?) with a blue screen
Under what conditions does this happen and how can I have more control whether I want a boot scan when xp is fired up or not?

avast boot time scanning occurs only if you set so.
There is not an automatic load of this feature...