Avast blocking access to server?

[sueshi9]

I am using version 4.8 home free edition, on a Win XP computer and I also use the Window Firewall.

I use a program called EPX5.5 to upload photos to http://www.eventpix.com to make photo galleries. Lately I have been unable to connect to their server. The only change I have made was adding Avast in early December. Eventpix support claims either my anti-virus program or my firewall is preventing me access. Are there settings I should change to allow connecting? 

[DavidR]

Well avast 4.8 doesn't block (it isn't a firewall) but scans and alerts to infection and I presume that hasn't happened ?

What errors are being displayed when you try to connect ?

Your firewall shouldn't be a problem either as XP's firewall has zero outbound protection (a hole in your system security).

Exactly where you trying to connect (full URL) ?

Have (or did) you another Anti-Virus installed in this system, if so what was it and how did you get rid of it ?
What other security based software do you have installed ?

[sueshi9]

Well avast 4.8 doesn't block (it isn't a firewall) but scans and alerts to infection and I presume that hasn't happened ?

What errors are being displayed when you try to connect ?

Your firewall shouldn't be a problem either as XP's firewall has zero outbound protection (a hole in your system security).

Exactly where you trying to connect (full URL) ?

Have (or did) you another Anti-Virus installed in this system, if so what was it and how did you get rid of it ?
What other security based software do you have installed ?

When I open EPX 5.5 it will not get software updates "Invalid response from server, software update check failed." and will not connect to server.

and "Error: No records were retrieved. You Must re-enter your User ID and Password. Please make sure you do not have your CAPS-LOCK key on.
Unable to retrieve your account profile from Eventpix.
Error: Invalid response from server."

My user name and password are correct as I can access the URL with my browser. Just cannot upload to their server.

http://www.eventpix.com using their program EPX5.5

I had AVG previously and uninstalled it. Also Zone Alarm which I turned off.

[DavidR]

Well the error doesn't sound like blocking to me as it is able to get through to the server, but getting an invalid response, though it could be conflict.

Try this - AVG8.x (or higher) Remover, download tool from here, http://www.avg.com/download-tools there is a 32bit and 64 bit windows version, ensure you use the correct one.

Is this Zone Alarm Pro ?
As its privacy function can mess with logins in conjunction with the web shield.

[sueshi9]

Well the error doesn't sound like blocking to me as it is able to get through to the server, but getting an invalid response, though it could be conflict.

Try this - AVG8.x (or higher) Remover, download tool from here, http://www.avg.com/download-tools there is a 32bit and 64 bit windows version, ensure you use the correct one.

Is this Zone Alarm Pro ?
As its privacy function can mess with logins in conjunction with the web shield.

Zone Alarm free version

How do I know what version of AVG remover I need?

[DavidR]

If you don't know then it is highly unlikely you're using a 64bit OS and avg64bit so I would say it is the 32bit version you want.

[sueshi9]

If you don't know then it is highly unlikely you're using a 64bit OS and avg64bit so I would say it is the 32bit version you want.

Ok I ran the tool, HijackThis still finds AVG here:

O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - Unknown owner - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - Unknown owner - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe (file missing)

[DavidR]

OK, the tool doesn't work on avg7.

Are you sure you uninstalled it using add remove programs (as that is a lot of remnants), whilst it looks like the files have been removed, the registry entries may still cause issues.

So run HiJackThis (HJT) again and check the box to the left of each of those entries, click the Fix Selected button at the bottom of HJT.

[sueshi9]

OK, the tool doesn't work on avg7.

Are you sure you uninstalled it using add remove programs (as that is a lot of remnants), whilst it looks like the files have been removed, the registry entries may still cause issues.

So run HiJackThis (HJT) again and check the box to the left of each of those entries, click the Fix Selected button at the bottom of HJT.

I did use add remove programs to uninstall AVG

I did try to delete these entries with HiJackthis with no luck

[DavidR]

Why no luck, what errors were reported ?

Try this application CCleaner - Temp File Cleaner, etc. aside from its temp file clearing abilities there is also a registry cleaner in it which may be able to remove these redundant entries.

[sueshi9]

I removed the entries and they reappeared upon reboot.

I'll try ccleaner

[DavidR]

OK, good luck, that's me for the night, 2:40a.m. here.

[sueshi9]

Ok I uninstalled avast and reinstalled, used ccleaner to remove AVG remnants with no luck, turned off Winfirewall and cannot still connect.