Author Topic: 4.8 worked... 5.0 WILL NOT START! (Read 6808 times)

americandoc · « **on:** February 06, 2010, 01:09:28 AM »

Hi, ya'll. I run XP on my lap & desktop computers. Never had a problem with 4.8. Decided to "upgrade" to 5.0. Avast screen says "UNSECURED" Clicked on "FIX NOW" button.....nadda. I removed 4.8 and did a new install of 5.0. Same thing...no protection. PLease help me.

TIA,

Doc

alexastorm · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2010, 01:32:43 AM »

I am having the exact same problem. Upgraded to 5.0 today and now it won't run. I click the 'fix' button and nothing happens. Any ideas? Anyone?

LikaLaruku · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2010, 02:16:31 AM »

Same problem here.

1)It says I'm already registered, but since I uninstalled 4 & installed 5, I shouldn't be.
2)Nothing happens when I push "Fix Now" or "Start Program."
3)I've already gone to Start/Run/MSConfig to make sure Avast was checked.
4)I've tried to force-start it with Start/Run/Services.msc, but it refused.
5)The repair option didn't help. Neither did reinstalling or trying to update the program.
6)It seems annoying to have to download the special uninstaller, reboot in safe mode, uninstall, reboot in normal mode, then reinstall. You'd have to defrag after all that too.
7)There seems to be an endless amount of people complaining about the same thing, so clearly there is a bug & it needs to be patched.

CMyers · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2010, 02:21:13 AM »

Same thing happened to me. Seemed to run last night when I "upgraded" to 5.0, then today it suddenly stopped working and nothing I've tried will restart it. It says the shield is "unreachable." Can't manually start it, either. Frustrating to say the least.

Gandalf1369 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2010, 02:30:19 AM »

To all of the above posters I would try the following if I were you:

1. Download the awsclear.exe program from the avast! website.
2. Uninstall your version of avast! 5.0 using the "Add/Remove Programs" in the Control Panel.
3. Reboot your computer into "safe mode".
4. Run the awsclear.exe program.
5. Reboot your computer normally.
6. Install avast! 5.0 normally.

I'm pretty sure the above should solve most if not all of your problems.

LikaLaruku · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2010, 02:34:17 AM »

Like I said, if pretty much EVERYONE needs do download a special uninstaller, reboot in safe mode, uninstall there, reboot in normal mode, install, & then hope that it works (which would take anywhere from 15-30 minutes to do), there is a bug & it need to be fixed.

I'm going to try to find an older version of Avast & use it until 5 is fixed.

Tarq57 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2010, 02:40:45 AM »

LikaLaruku,
FileHippo is a reputable site to obtain older versions. Look near the top right of the site, about the third download down, I think.

Although if you have been able to get version 5 running (following the various removal tools usage) and have rebooted a couple of times, and it seems to work OK, you might want to stick with it for a while.
Up to you.

Personally, I'm very happy with 4.8 and have been for some time, and feel no overwhelming pressure to update. I'll wait till the reports of problems drop down a little, though I think that the users with problems are probably in the minority.

Tarq57 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2010, 02:45:26 AM »

PS, although it shouldn't be (normally) necessary, those of us who have installed a lot of different software, and helped with users moving from another AV to Avast have very often found the running of a specific removal tool can fix the problems.
So much so that there is a list of removal tools, kept updated, (by fredvries) and available here.
You might be surprised at how many programs have such tools available. It seems they are more required now than a few years ago, as programs have increased in complexity, low level drivers installed etc.

LikaLaruku · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2010, 03:20:15 AM »

Okey, I spent half an hour using the uninstaller in safe mode & rebooting & whatnot.

It does work, but god does it take forever to get it all done & working.

I absolutely would not have gone though all this trouble with any other antivirus, but Avast is the best.

I sure am going to miss the blue UI though. I have a white font desktop & can't read a thing...,

Tarq57 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2010, 03:39:45 AM »

So you're all OK, now?
(I'm going to miss the particular skin I'm using when it comes time, too.)

Hally · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2010, 04:45:42 PM »

Hi Tarq57

Quote from: Tarq57 on February 13, 2010, 02:40:45 AM

Personally, I'm very happy with 4.8 and have been for some time, and feel no overwhelming pressure to update. I'll wait till the reports of problems drop down a little, though I think that the users with problems are probably in the minority.

I'm waiting a little while too

Quote from: Tarq57 on February 13, 2010, 02:45:26 AM

PS, although it shouldn't be (normally) necessary, those of us who have installed a lot of different software, and helped with users moving from another AV to Avast have very often found the running of a specific removal tool can fix the problems.
So much so that there is a list of removal tools, kept updated, (by fredvries) and available here.
You might be surprised at how many programs have such tools available. It seems they are more required now than a few years ago, as programs have increased in complexity, low level drivers installed etc.

Wicked!

Bookmarked to keep Forever!

Especially useful in one of those emergency's...
Where you didn't even see it coming that a Removal Tool was going to be needed

Thanks!

Hally

Tarq57 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2010, 11:00:58 PM »

You may not need to keep that bookmarked, fredvries keeps it updated regularly, and posts the changelog in the general topics forum. The thread is here.
I agree; darned useful.
The "average" user would not normally consider the use of a removal tool. They haven't been that common until recently.

Hally · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2010, 01:55:31 PM »

Thanks Tarq57

Hally