Problems with Avast!

[Skooter]

I installed Avast! a short time ago, but so far it hasn't worked properly for me. The icon at the bottom has a red slash and says "The AAVM substation detected an RPC error". The other one that deals with the VRDB is always inactive and doesn't seem to be doing anything at all. Also, I cannot get resident protection to stay on. Once I close Avast!, it turns back off. 

I don't have any other AV programs or firewalls installed. Any idea what the problem may be?

Thanks.

[Lisandro]

Did you have any other antivirus in the past in this computer? How did you remove it?

[Skooter]

I had Stop-sign installed for a bit- but I uninstalled when people told me they were unreliable... I am pretty sure I got rid of it all though I suppose there could leftover registry entries causing a conflict.

[Lisandro]

Which firewall do you use? Any other security program?
RPC errors are generally due to older antivirus leftovers...

[Skooter]

Just whatever the Stop-sign had...

Its a new system and is pretty clean.

[Lisandro]

I suggest an installation from the scratch:

1. Uninstall avast from Control Panel first.
2. Boot.
3. Download the latest version of Avast Uninstall and use it for complete uninstallation.
4. Boot.
5. Install again the latest avast! version.
6. Boot.
7. Check and post the results.

[Skooter]

Someone said elsewhere that My problem is the I have a file named "common files" in my program files and that I should move. Any truth to this at all? I don't think so personally, I think your right that a re-install would be best. I'll let you know.

[Lisandro]

Someone said elsewhere that My problem is the I have a file named "common files" in my program files and that I should move. Any truth to this at all? I don't think so personally, I think your right that a re-install would be best. I'll let you know.

No, Common files should be stay where they are...

[Skooter]

Tried to uninstall and I couldn't... got a BSOD upon starting windows. Is there another way?

[Lisandro]

Tried to uninstall and I couldn't... got a BSOD upon starting windows. Is there another way?

Uninstall in Safe Mode using the Control Panel.
Boot in Safe Mode again, use the uninstaller tool of avast.

[Skooter]

I forgot about that.... well, it worked, so thanks.

I just thought about something though: Do I need to be registered to fully use it? Cause I wasn't before...

[Lisandro]

I just thought about something though: Do I need to be registered to fully use it? Cause I wasn't before...

Yes. You need a free registration to use it (Home version) or a Pro key.
The trial period is 60 days at first installation and 6 days if you uninstall/install again.

[Skooter]

Maybe that's where the problems are coming from, then... I just requested a key, so I'll see if that clears it up. I thought you had to pay to register, which is why I didn't register before. I saw just now that it was free...   

[Lisandro]

Go to the SSL page version and register from there: https://secure.avast.com/scripts/register.php?lang=ENG.  The Registration key is valid for 14 months.
See the tutorial:  http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/insert_key.htm

[Skooter]

Okay, I registered and the problems are still there; same messages and issues... I think I'd be best off going with Kapersky.