Problem: suddenly not compatible?

[apprentice 2 sa]

"Avast is on but is reporting its status to windows security centre in a format that is no longer supported."

Any ideas?

I have just put it on a second computer if that's relevant?

[DavidR]

1. What avast version are you using 4.8 or 5.0 ?

2. What OS ?

3. Having it on a second computer shouldn't be an issue if a) it is the home/free version or b) if pro version you have two licenses, but that shouldn't be a WSC issue.

[apprentice 2 sa]

Thanks for the reply.

4.8
vista Home premium
home / free version

In finding out it was 4.8, the on-access scanner says 'The provider is waiting for a subsystem to start'. Whether that's relevant I have no idea. Maybe it always says that!

[DavidR]

What is the full version number from about avast, 4.8.xxx ?

I doubt that message is anything to do with it, commonly this means that you have enabled the avast Outlook/Exchange provider and it is waiting for you to start MS Outlook (not express). So if you have that enabled and you don't use MS Outlook then disable it.

How long have you had avast 4.8 and was it previously working (e.g. not reported by WSC) ?

Try a repair of avast. Add Remove programs, select 'avast! Anti-Virus,' click the Change/Remove button and scroll down to Repair, click next and follow.

I would also suggest that there is little worth in trying to do much chasing this down, I would recommend that you download avast 5.0 and install that.

[apprentice 2 sa]

Does version 4.8-1169 sound right?

"I doubt that message is anything to do with it, commonly this means that you have enabled the avast Outlook/Exchange provider and it is waiting for you to start MS Outlook (not express). So if you have that enabled and you don't use MS Outlook then disable it."
No, I don't,  use firefox. How would I disable / get it to do firefox instead? Or does firefox not need it?


"How long have you had avast 4.8 and was it previously working (e.g. not reported by WSC) ?"
I've had it maybe two years now. I noticed the problem first this weekend. Coincidentally, I've just this weekend organised a license key for Avast on a second computer.

I'll try the other ideas you suggested, thanks.

[YoKenny]

The version 4.8-1169 is very old as I believe the latest v4.8 was 4.8.1318 I believe.

Download the latest v4.8 English (43MB):
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download#tab4

V5 is way better though.

[Gopher John]

The latest Avast4 is 4.8.1368.  I doubt there will be another one unless some particular issue causes major problems, but only Alwil knows.

[DavidR]

The latest version of avast 4 is 4.8.1368. So lots of things have changed since then so you should install the latest version and importantly keep your AV up to date as an old security program is just marginally better than none at all.

Given that you are running an out of date AV you may have other applications that need updates - I would also suggest a visit to this site, which scans your system for out of date programs that have patches to close vulnerabilities, http://secunia.com/software_inspector/.

MS Outlook is an email program not a browser like firefox, so the two are unrelated, leave firefox alone. Open the on-access scanner (left click avast icon), the you see a Details...>> button click it, now find the Outlook/Exchange  provider and Terminate it, answer Yes to the question.

[Vlk]

"apprentice 2 sa", just out of my curiosity, where did you download the program from, exactly?
We're generally trying to talk to all download servers that still offer these ancient versions of avast to replace them with the most up-to-date ones.

Thanks
Vlk

[apprentice 2 sa]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Repairing Avast didn't work, so I downloaded version 5 instead which now works a treat.    No conflicts, no problems.

I can't remember where I originally downloaded Avast from. Sorry.

Thanks v much for all the help here.