[Resolved] Win7 doesn't connect automatically after I install Avast free

[altar]

Hi all,
I just bought a Dell Inspiron 580 with Win7 64bit and after installing Avast free the pc can't find the connection automatically on startup.
Has anyone had this problem?

Thanks

[Tarq57]

Did you have any other AV on the computer before installing Avast?

[SafeSurf]

What other security related software do you have on this machine including antivirus (AV), firewall (FW), and other security software?  Did this new machine come with a trial AV on it?  If you had previous software on it, how did you remove it and what was it?

If you check under Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > what comes up for AV and FW programs?  Does Avast show up?

Having 2 resident (running all the time) AV's will often cause a conflict, so please report back on the questions above.  If you need assistance in removing a software, we can help you with that as well.

In addition, so that we can help you better, please go to PROFILE on the top of the main forum page > Modify Profile > Forum Profile Information > Signature.   Enter information about your system like the Operating System (OS), RAM, browser, security software, what version and product of Avast and firewall you use and other items you wish to mention.  See my signature or others as an example.  Thank you. 

[altar]

Thank you for your answer.
When I received this Dell Inspiron 580, there was no security software pre installed. It connected immediately and the connection was very fast. I installed Avast free edition and shortly after the computer couldn't find the connection. I get an exclamation mark on the connection icon and I have to go into the device management to do "unuse/use" the Broadcom NetLink Gigabit Ethernet card (my OS is in Korean so sorry if the wording isn't exact) in order to get the connection back. I also noticed that the connection had become extremely slow, so I ran the Avast scan which found nothing, and downloaded and ran F-Secure too. I then complained to Dell here thinking there was something wrong with the Lan card itself. They checked and couldn't find anything wrong with the hardware, so they did a fresh install of Win7 on a partition.
After using that new Win7 install for a few days without a problem (speed back and all) I installed Avast and boom! 2 restarts later I get the exclamation mark again on the connection icon. I uninstalled Avast, deleted the registry entries, and then the connection was back to normal.
So I did the same on the partition with the first install of Win7, and now upon start it connects for a minute, but then the exclamation mark comes for about 2 minutes, then back on for 2 minutes, and finally the exclamation mark comes back and stays.
How weird is that?

[SafeSurf]

First question:  Are you on the Internet now with no antivirus (AV) protection?  If not, turn ON Windows Defender (WD) and update your definitions so you have protection.

[SafeSurf]

Next, did you uninstall F-Secure (which has resident AV in it and can conflict with any other antivirus)?  How was it uninstalled?

How was Avast uninstalled?  Was the Avast Uninstall Utility Tool used?

What version of Avast is installed?  5.0.594 is the latest version.  Is this now installed on BOTH partitions of your machine or just one partition?

[SafeSurf]

I get an exclamation mark on the connection icon and I have to go into the device management to do "unuse/use" the Broadcom NetLink Gigabit Ethernet card (my OS is in Korean so sorry if the wording isn't exact) in order to get the connection back. <snip> now upon start it connects for a minute, but then the exclamation mark comes for about 2 minutes, then back on for 2 minutes, and finally the exclamation mark comes back and stays.

Is your router/firewall blocking Avast in anyway?

[altar]

5.0.594 was installed on both partitions, I uninstalled it from both using the windows add/remove, then deleting the entries in the registry, I also used the avast removal tool. Same with F-Secure, which was installed only on the first Win7 install.
Right now I have no AV software installed. On the original Win7 the connection isn't found automatically, I have to go into the device manager to do "don't use/use" and then wait for a while, also the connection is really slow when it comes.
On the new Win7 partition everything's fine except when I installed Avast 5.0.594
Also, I can't figure out what could cause the connection to be so slow on the first Win7 partition, and I really don't want that to happen on the new Win7 partition.

[SafeSurf]

I just need to clarify, was F-secure uninstalled using their uninstall method?  This is important that this was removed properly before we go to my final set of instructions below.

Did you turn on Windows Defender for now and update the definitions so you have some AV protection on your machine until we get Avast working again?  We don't want you to get malware.

At this point, you should do an uninstall of Avast and a CLEAN install:

1. Save a copy of newest version of Avast (5.0.594) for the version you need and save it to your HDD:
Free – http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free.exe
Pro  –  http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_pro.exe
AIS  –  http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_ais.exe
2. Download the Avast Uninstall Utility, aswClear5.exe http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility and save it to your HDD.
3. Disconnect from the Internet at this time; turn off your connection from the Internet.
4. Uninstall Avast through "Add/Remove Programs" through Control Panel if possible. 
5. Boot into Safe Mode (hit F8 repeatedly) and run the Avast Uninstall Tool.
6. Reboot twice.
7. Clean your computer up (clean up cache, temporary Internet files, etc.).
8. Install the newest version of Avast and reboot.
9. Get Internet access and update Avast definitions.
10. Register your copy or add the license key for Free, Pro or AIS.

Please let me know how this works for you.

[SafeSurf]

Here is the link for the uninstall tool for F-Secure: http://www.askvg.com/ultimate-collection-of-uninstallers-removal-tools-for-all-popular-anti-virus-software/ -- scroll down the page.

[Gopher John]

Currently, Dell systems have McAfee SecurityCenter preinstalled, but not fully activated.  Perhaps there is some driver interfering with Avast.  It can be quite difficult to get some computer vendors not to include their standard package of installed software, because of their agreements with the software publishers.

[altar]

I've searched and searched but found no McAfee files on the computer.
Also, the Dell technician here did a clean install of Win7 on a new partition without any of the Dell crapware/utilities, so I'm pretty sure it can't be that.
I'm not so keen about installing Avast again on the new partition (after uninstalling it solved the problem), I don't want it to end up having the same issues as the original Win7 install (where it doesn't connect automatically even after uninstalling Avast).
I was hoping that this might have been a known issue. I'm waiting to see if I get any answers on the Dell forum.

[-Genesis-]

I dont know if the bug your saying is same as mine encountering since Month of April by a random chances.

Windows7 and Xp Fresh system with no security software installed a bug that after installing avast then restart the system.

Let it update then reboot.

You'll noticed that the network icon on system tray on win7 is loading about 4 mins and the avast icon also is unprotected for about 4mins and no internet connection.

On Winxp you'll noticed that the avast ball loads 4mins before it became fully protected. While seeing the yellow mark for about 4mins it has no internet connection.

No good Uninstalling it, reboot, use uninstall utility. Still same.


What did i do?

Step by step.

1. Uninstall by using add/remove program then Reboot.

2. Use the Uninstall utility provided by avast.  http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

3. Reboot.

4. Wait for the next update or wait for 4-6 hours just hopefully it has next Virus Def Update then install Avast again.

5. Restart the system

6. Let it update for the latest virus definitions

7. Reboot again.

It fixed for my issues.

[altar]

Ok,
I haven't tried to reinstall Avast yet but at least I found why the computer wasn't finding a connection even though I had uninstalled Avast. Apparently a technician must have changed a setting of the Boardcom Netlink Ethernet, in speed & duplex from auto to 100mb full. I changed that back and now it finds the connection on startup and the initial speed is back.
So now I'm going to reinstall Avast and cross my fingers...

[SafeSurf]

Is your router/firewall blocking Avast in anyway?

I found why the computer wasn't finding a connection even though I had uninstalled Avast. Apparently a technician must have changed a setting of the Boardcom Netlink Ethernet, in speed & duplex from auto to 100mb full. I changed that back and now it finds the connection on startup and the initial speed is back.
So now I'm going to reinstall Avast and cross my fingers...

I'm glad you found the reason for not being able to keep the connection.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed and waiting for your update!