Avast passwords

[bilnrobn12]

Thanks Rocksteady. I had resisted doing that as the problem seems to be related to accepting my password. To my knowledge the effectiveness of Avast has been unaffected, just the problem of not being able to get into protected areas. But I guess that is the next step and, hopefully, I'll do it today.

PS I've just found this site that relates to my problem but can't see how I can make use of it. https://www.raymond.cc/blog/reset-or-remove-avast-authorization-password-to-access-settings/

[bilnrobn12]

Thanks Rocksteady. I have uninstalled Malwarebytes, but when I try to uninstall Avast Premium it asks for my password. I assume it must be considered a 'protected area' and when I entered my password it wouldn't accept it. I then changed my current password and tried again with the same result. The strange thing is when I uninstalled and reinstalled Avast Premium yesterday it did it without asking for my password. A solution that occurs to me is that Avast Support may know what that password is, assuming one exists.  If so, and they could either tell me it or go through a procedure to let me select a new one, I wouldn't need to uninstall all.
Any thoughts before I go to support.

[Asyn]

Hi Bill, you're mixing up the AV password and the Account password.
The one blocking you is the AV password, to regain access see link below.
-> https://support.avast.com/en-ww/article/Remove-Antivirus-password/

[bilnrobn12]

That link lead me to restoring the Avast account password. There seems to be no mention of an AV password. I have been there before and used it to change my password, but it is now clear from your response it was that account password I changed. I didn't know there was a separate AV password. 

[Asyn]

1. Download Avast Premium Security: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_premium_security_setup_offline.exe
2. Follow instructions: https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed Avast versions..!!)
3. Reinstall Avast with the downloaded installer from point 1.
4. Reboot.

[bilnrobn12]

I've already done that, (see earlier in the thread). It made no difference. I still can't get into protected areas and only appear to have the one password, (you called it the Avast invoice password.) It seems I need the AV password. you also mentioned I've tried to ask the question of Support and actually found an online form to do that on, but on clicking 'Chat' it went to a blue screen and that was it, nothing happened. 

[Asyn]

Did you run the uninstall tool in safe mode..!?

[bilnrobn12]

Since my last reply I have phoned Avast Support. I wasn't aware I could use that number from Australia, but it worked. The only catch was it was not a free of charge number when rung from Australia and the call lasted close to two hours. I ran out of credit towards the end, but she did ring me back on my landline. She took control of the computer, uninstalled and reinstalled and the computer will now access protected areas without an additional password.

Thanks to all three volunteers who helped me; it took a while but the problem is now resolved.

[Asyn]

You're welcome.

[bilnrobn12]

The computer also seems to run much faster immediately after booting. It used to take about 15 minutes to get itself set up, now almost immediate. I'm chuffed!

[rocksteady]

Glad you got that fixed.
Talking of speed but off subject. We have an escaped Emu running wild in UK, which has so far evaded capture due to excess speeding. Bit like Roadrunner.

[bilnrobn12]

Yes, it made the news here too. The one thing never to do is run into one in your car. Its legs hit by the bumper and its body comes straight up the bonnet and through the windshield. One very cross emu sitting in your lap!