installed avast and now internet explorer won't connect to internet

[kshore]

I installed avast, and my internet explorer will not connect to the internet.  When I disable the web shield in avast, as suggested on this website, the problem resolves.  I added avast and ashwebsv to my firewall exceptions, which did not work.  I updated my just installed avast, which did not work.  I updated from internet explorer 6 to 7 to no avail.  I installed all available windows updates - no help.  I connect to the internet via a home network, and it is working fine.  Even while internet explorer won't connect (I get the web page not found error), my AOL connects to the internet no problem.  I didn't understand the previous poster's suggestion to manually update the firewall.  This seems to be a common problem, and I'd love to solve it if anyone has any suggestions.  I am good with computers, but not a techno expert, so please make the instructions simple if you have any.  Thanks!!

[oldman]

Welcome to the forum.

The 3 avast entries in the firewall should be ashmaisv.exe, ashwebsv.exe, and avast.setup. Avast.setup is a file that is created when avast checks for updates then disappears.

Since you can connect when webshield is disabled, then it is usually a firewall issue. The most common is ashwebsv.exe not having permission. The same for the updates.

Did you try removing all references to avast from the firewall and then try to connect. Your firewall should give you a warning that ashwebsv.exe is trying to access the internet. Allow.

What is your os? your firewall?

[kshore]

yes, i tried removing all references and then tried to connect, but it didn't give the warning message, even though it is set to do so.  I will try adding those other avast entries and see what happens.  my os is windows xp and my firewall is windows firewall.  Thanks for your reply!

[oldman]

Hmm.. that's strange, windows firewall is one way firewall, no outbound monitoring. It won't ask permission.

Any other security programs, something from aol perhaps? Are you using a router? Some routers have a firewall.

[Lisandro]

If the problem occurs after being infected/cleaned you can try to recover you internet connection downloading and running WinsockXPfix: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html

If you were never infected, then are you using any proxy? An annonimizer?
Check your proxy settings into avast!:
     Left click the avast icon > Settings
     Update (Basic) > Details > Proxy
     Make sure your browser is not set to "Work Offline" (this option is generally in the File menu).
     If it doesn't help, try switching from "Auto-detect" to "No proxy" (I'm assuming you're not connecting to the Internet via proxy).

[hansruys]

My problem "mirrors" the problem of the first post in this thread
I updated avast, and my internet explorer will not connect to the internet.  When I disable the web shield in avast, the problem resolves. 
I added avast, ashMaiSv and ashwebsv to my firewall exceptions, which did not work. 
I updated my just installed avast, which did not work. 
I installed all available windows updates - no help. 
I can connect to the internet when the webshield is disabled, and it is working fine. 
I've narrowed it down to where the problem is in just the web shield,
I just don't know how to fix it.

[Lisandro]

- Which OS are you using? Is it up to date?
- What avast! version and VPS file (virus database) number?
- Which firewall do you use?
- Do you use a proxy? (like annonimizers).
- Do you have any other antivirus installed in your system?  Did you have in the past?
- Any other security programs that could interfere?

[hansruys]

Thank you for your response I will answer what I can,
this is my laptop that has not been used for several months
I can open Internet explorer to my homepage (google) with webshield off,
then right click on the Avast icon on the toolbar and start the Webshield,
click home and IE cannot display the webpage,
I can undo this by reversing same procedure
by turning webshield off IE works then.

- Which OS are you using?
Windows XP

Is it up to date?
I assume you mean does it have all available windows updates, yes
-
What avast! version and VPS file (virus database) number?
Version 4.8-1169 updated version 080417-0,
I uninstalled and re-installed avast (didn't help)- (don't know what VPS means)

Which firewall do you use?
Uhm? I guess windows-

Do you use a proxy? (like annonimizers).
Don't know what that means (sorry)
-
Do you have any other antivirus installed in your system?  Did you have in the past?
Laptop came with Mcafee, I've had Avast on there for at least a year maybe two.
-
Any other security programs that could interfere?
windows defender

[Lisandro]

(don't know what VPS means)

Virus Pattern Signature, the virus database number, you've posted it: 080417-0

Do you use a proxy? (like annonimizers).
Don't know what that means (sorry)

Probably you're not using one...

Do you have any other antivirus installed in your system?  Did you have in the past?
Laptop came with Mcafee, I've had Avast on there for at least a year maybe two.

Hmmm... maybe the new avast version could be finding old old McAfee...
This article provides the steps to remove SecurityCenter from your computer.
http://ts.mcafeehelp.com/faq3.asp?docid=71525
Also for direct download: http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/VSCleanupTool.exe
and http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe (2007)

If you need, you can find many free versions of these registry cleaners here:
http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/system/fwregtools.html

Sometimes, McAfee won't be completely removed if, before, you do not uninstall Avast, including the use of its "Uninstall Application" if necessary (www.avast.com/eng/faq-install-uninstall-avast.html).

Any other security programs that could interfere?
windows defender

It's not a problem.

[hansruys]

Ok, I clicked on all the provided links and ran their downloads etc
then
uninstalled Avast, (with add/remove programs)
downloaded registry cleaner and mechanic ran their programs, (uninstalled them also)
down loaded the mcgafee  remover ran that.
downloaded Avast again
rebooted about a dozen times during all of this
and the results are the same

the only way IE will work is with the Avast webshield off. :'(

As I said previously I've had Avast (on my desktop and this laptop) for more than a year,
my problems started after not using the laptop for several months
and clicking on the Avast upgrade "popup" that came up.

so whats next?

[DavidR]

Have you tried manually setting IE to use the web shield ?

For IE - broadband users: - Tutorial - Web Shield Proxy Set-up for IE
For IE - dialup users - Tutorial - Web Shield Proxy Set-up for IE (Dial-up)

These tutorials may be slightly different for IE7 I don't know, but you should be able to get an idea.

[hansruys]

Thank you for "jumping in" David I need all the help I can get.

we're getting somewhere but not in the right direction.

I followed the tutorial for the broadband link, then rebooted the laptop
and.... IE would Not display even with the webshield Off,
tried it several times on/off etc.
then went back in and un-did what the tutorial had me do and now IE works again but only with webshield off. (like before)

So... what does that mean?

[DavidR]

I honestly can't say. But your mention of McAfee previously installed, though uninstalled, could mean there are some remnants. Then again you said you ran that McAfee uninstall tool.

Have you tried another browser like firefox with the web shield enabled (sorry if this has been asked) ?

Edit: I have just done a forum search and this topic almost exactly mirrors your problem, http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=34806.0, so it would be worth a read and try some of the suggestions in that.

Report your findings/results here or perhaps in that topic, with a link to this topic.

[repairman1946]

Hi kshore,
Have you considered using a firewall other than windows?
I use Filseclab, and it is free for personal use. http://www.filseclab.com/eng/products/firewall.htm

Gary