Avast 5 Will not install

[Geno Raptor]

Alright guys, I need some help here.

I'm a Windows XP user, and my PC's a Compaq Presario. I don't know what model or the specs for it, but.
If someone could tell me how to find that specific information, I'd gladly provide it. I need some help with
Avast 5.

Saturday I was forced to perform a restore (I'll give specifics if asked) and for some reason, I can't seem
to install Avast! 5. It will begin to install, and about mid way through it'll suddenly shit to uninstalling the
program, and then informs me that an error has occurred.

The only two errors I can seem to find are:

ERROR_SHARING_VIOLATION
Error code 0x00000005

I need to get this resolved quick, my PC's unprotected. D:

[Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)]

This should help. Follow instructions.

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=54385.msg473557#msg473557

[Geno Raptor]

Thanks, I'll give these a shot and report back.

[Geno Raptor]

I did everything as mentioned above.

I went into safe mode, used the uninstall tool.
I booted.
I tried to uninstall from the add/remove programs. It wasn't there. So, I used the tool again.
I booted.
I tried to install the program, and I got the same error message, again.

[cimmind]

Hi Geno..

Your problem seems exactly the same i was having {error05 message}
Please see the thread i had:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=56121.0

What i can suggest..
While in your Admin account,
Do an entire registry search for keys and values named 'avast'.
Do an entire explorer search for the word 'avast'.

Delete all entries that you can delete. Reboot before trying again.
Hope it works for you too.

[Geno Raptor]

Hi Geno..

Your problem seems exactly the same i was having {error05 message}
Please see the thread i had:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=56121.0

What i can suggest..
While in your Admin account,
Do an entire registry search for keys and values named 'avast'.
Do an entire explorer search for the word 'avast'.

Delete all entries that you can delete. Reboot before trying again.
Hope it works for you too.

I'll give this a shot, too.

[Lisandro]

Error 5 is access denied.
I suggest an installation from the scratch:

1. Download the latest version of avast! Uninstall Utility and save it.
2. Download the latest avast! version and save it.
3. Uninstall avast from Control Panel (if possible). If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after that.
4. Run the avast! Uninstall Utility saved on 1. If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after you've run it.
5. Install avast! using the setup saved on 2. Boot.
6. Register your free copy or add the license key for Pro.
7. Check and post the results.

[Geno Raptor]

I've tried all of the methods listed bellow and yet I still cannot get Avast to install.

[Chris Thomas]

Did you try installing in the SAFE MODE?

Did you have any other AV installed before?

Norton??

Which Firewall do you use?

[Geno Raptor]

Yea, I tried installing in Safe Mode, but it still gave me the error, and yea, I had Avast! 4.8.

I also have an out-of-date Norton Anti-Virus, but I normally keep it disabled in favor of Avast!
Since the reboot the system reactivated itself. I tried to install with it disabled, and it didn't
change anything.

However, I think I may have found a clue as to the problem. Avast's Uninstall Tool doesn't
completely remove all files and folders from the P.C like it claims to.

I booted in safe mode and did a search for all files that include avast In it’s name. I broadened
The search to include hidden folders as well. Well I found 3 kinds of files. 2 folders and a setup
file.

_avast4_
_avast5_
avast.setup

I tried to delete them, but only succeeded in deleting _avast5_ and the setup file. _avast4_ gave
Me the following error message. (I hope that you don’t mind me posting images.)


If you try to access the folder, you get another error but I can't seem to find the screen cap for it. >.<

[cimmind]

Hi.. If you did a search again for the word 'avast' just after that message showed up, it will turn up no results (happened to me too). The error means you already have the file gone from the system, since the time you did the search.   

The best way to go about is:
- In safe mode, use the avast uninstall utility for the 4.8 version (http://files.avast.com/files/eng/aswclear.exe). Hope you were using this one, not the one for the v5 (http://files.avast.com/files/eng/aswclear5.exe)
- reboot, as the uninstall utility asks you to.
- Use the v5 uninstall utility similarly, in case you ever tried installing the fresh version 5.
- do all your deleting, from the registry and from the computer explorer, for the word 'avast' while being in admin account (i did not need to go into safe mode)
- do a reboot again
- now try installing

A question: As you say the Norton you have is out-of-date, why keep it? Why not uninstall it with a good uninstall utility. Presence of another antivirus program may be wreaking up your install of avast.
In Hindi, there is a saying (roughly translating as:) "Two swords cannot co-exist in one scabbard (sword holder)!" 
 

[Geno Raptor]

Oh, I really like that saying, Cimmind! I'll be sure to remember that one.

Well, I keep Norton mainly because I've never learned how to properly uninstall it. The last time I tried,
I wound up damaging parts of my OS (granted I was fairly new to PC's then.) To be honest, I'm still not
that very well versed with PC's, so I simply keep it disabled. It's the best I can manage for now. Though,
I am well aware that some programs can clash at times.

I did run the 4.8 uninstall tool, but when that didn't work, I figured there was something else. I never tried
it in Safe Mode though, so I'll try it and report back.

[cimmind]

Link for Norton uninstall utility
(you will need to choose depending on the version you have)
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

Deleting Avast legacy keys (from previous installations) in the Registry:
(Taken from http://www.forums.techarena.in)
"1) Start -> Run: regedt32 -> OK (logged on as administrator)
2) Now to HKLM sub-window and take the key which you want deleted. Highlight it.
3) In the Regedt32 window menu select Security -> Permissions.
4) Change the access permissions for Everyone and/or Administrators to Full Control. Apply the settings.
5) Repeat 1-4 for all keys you need deleted.
6)Close Regedt32 and open Regedit. Delete the keys you don't want anymore.
Note : Administrator does not have full control over the registry. There are certain keys that only SYSTEM can touch unless an admin changes the permissions."

Note: I myself did not need to use regedt32. I was able to change permissions directly using regedit.exe, right-clicking on the legacy key to delete. And then deleting the key. 

[Gopher John]

Oh, I really like that saying, Cimmind! I'll be sure to remember that one.

Well, I keep Norton mainly because I've never learned how to properly uninstall it. The last time I tried,
I wound up damaging parts of my OS (granted I was fairly new to PC's then.) To be honest, I'm still not
that very well versed with PC's, so I simply keep it disabled. It's the best I can manage for now. Though,
I am well aware that some programs can clash at times.

I did run the 4.8 uninstall tool, but when that didn't work, I figured there was something else. I never tried
it in Safe Mode though, so I'll try it and report back.

As long as Norton is still installed on the machine, you'll not be able to install another antivirus program successfully.  You are wasting your time even attempting it.

[Geno Raptor]

As long as Norton is still installed on the machine, you'll not be able to install another antivirus program successfully.  You are wasting your time even attempting it.

I installed Avast 4.8 with it.

Cimmind, I did as instructed, but that didn't work either.

I downloaded 4.8 uninstaller, installed it, then rebooted in safe mode.
I ran the uninstaller and then used rededt32. I assumed that HKLM meant Hkey Local Machine,
so I went through and the AWILSofware folder, and found only Avast 5, so I deleted it. I booted
again, and tried to install Avast 5, and got the same error.

So on Gopher's advice, I uninstalled Norton Antivirus, I will try all previous steps again to see if
anything has changed.