AIS installation problems and inconsistent state

[CarlAxel]

I recently installed the latest version of AIS 5.1.874 and it causes all kinds of problems.  The program does not itself work correctly: I open the UI after booting and see errors saying:
        Unsecured: Your System is not protected.
   The avast! Antivirus program has been stopped, or is in an inconsistent state.  Please re-start the program to resume protecting your system.

Additionally I run into all sorts of other issues, here are just a few of the errors or problems (which went away when I uninstalled avast AIS):
    Quick launch bar disappears
    All printers disappear and if I click add printer get an error: Operation could not be completed.
    Network connections are not available.

I did complete uninstall using the awsclear 5 and all instructions.  I have removed all other antivirus, etc and run a registry cleaner.


avast AIS v 5.1.874
Windows XP
Dell Latitude 131l

Thanks in advance

[SafeSurf]

Hello CarlAxel and welcome to the forum.

1.   What other security software do you currently have or did you have in the past on this machine including:
- Antivirus (AV)
- Firewall (FW)
- Trial versions of AV, FW and other security programs
- Other security software (resident and on-demand)

2.     If they were in the past, how did you remove them (the vendor's uninstaller's tool or another way)?

3.     What is your OS, RAM, 32 or 64-bit?

I agree with you that running the Avast uninstaller tool was a wise thing to do.  Did you end up having to do it in Safe Mode as well?  Did you have a previous version of Avast on this machine in the past?  If so, did you uninstall the previous version as well and reboot?

Sometimes remnants of previous security software can prevent installation of new security software (like Avast), or there could be other problems.  But lets' start with possible remnants since you mentioned you had previous AV's on your machine. 

Here is a list of uninstaller tools for AV's:
- http://uninstallers.blogspot.com/
- http://www.askvg.com/ultimate-collection-of-uninstallers-removal-tools-for-all-popular-anti-virus-software/
- AVG: http://www.avg.com/us-en/download-tools
- Norton removal tool from here to clear them  http://us.norton.com/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=20080710133834EN
- This article provides the steps to remove McAfee from the Security Center from your computer:
http://ts.mcafeehelp.com/faq3.asp?docid=71525
Also for direct download: http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/VSCleanupTool.exe and http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe (2007)
- Avira RegistryCleaner: http://www.avira.com/en/support-download-avira-registrycleaner
How to Remove Antivir Antivirus: http://www.pchell.com/virus/uninstallantivir.shtml
Uninstall Avira Antivir Completely:
http://www.themisteriosos.com/uninstall-avira-antivir-completely.htm
- MSE:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2435760/

Remember to reboot after running an uninstaller.  It is also suggested to run a cleaner like CCleaner after uninstalling, a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool.  There is a Slim version available as well at http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/builds – 4th option down.  It removes unused files (cache, temporary Internet files, etc.) from your system, allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space.  It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history.  Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner.  Thank you.

[DavidR]

If this isn't related to any of the questions SafeSurf asked (item 1 & 2), other AVs, etc.

There is a new pre-release refresh build 5.1.884 if you want to check that out.

By all accounts it shouldn't be long before this becomes a regular program update. http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=69152.0

[CarlAxel]

I previously had ZoneAlarm; I uninstalled using their tool as well as following info from their forums about things to look for and make sure they are cleared.  Windows Defender was also on the computer; uninstalled using Control Panel.  I think there was a previous version of Avast a few years ago and I went ahead and used the uninstall tool for Avast 4 as well as 5.  Have also run CCleaner.  Right now, have nothing running.  Maybe will try latest update and see if that works; hopefully it will as I do not want to have to go through the install/uninstall process again.

There were also some antispyware:
Spybot S&D (used their uninstall)
Yahoo Spy (??)  Used control panel

Windows XP Professional 32 bit
1024 MB RAM

[CarlAxel]

I went and tried the new pre-release, 5.1.884.  Same results - still not working and causes numerous conflicts/issues.

[Lisandro]

Check the folder C:\ProgramData\Alwil Software\Avast5\log
Are there any files called unpXXXX (where XXXX is a random number) or *.mdmp there?
If so, send them to vlk (at) avast.com
They may contain more information about the problem (maybe a link to this thread).

Also, did you get a BSOD (blue screen of death)?

[CarlAxel]

NO BSOD thankfully.

There is no file there - perhaps was deleted when I uninstalled avast?  Maybe I will re-install and send the file.

[Lisandro]

Perhaps was deleted when I uninstalled avast?

Most probably. But, is it avast working now?

[CarlAxel]

Tech,
No Avast was not working; so I uninstalled it.  I re-installed and looked for the files you mentioned.  Did not see anything like that; there is a setup.txt file in C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\Setup  did not see any *.mdmp or unpxxxx files

[Lisandro]

Did not see any *.mdmp or unpxxxx files

So, avast does not crash... If you're not getting a BSOD, which other program is conflicting with avast? Anyone taking that much RAM?

[CarlAxel]

Avast does not crash, it just never starts.  I get this error message in the Avast UI: "The avast! Antivirus program has been stopped, or is in an inconsistent state.  Please re-start the program to resume protecting your system."
Pressing any of the buttons does not cause anything to happen. 
I don't know if there is another program conflicting; all other AV are uninstalled and registry cleaned. Nothing else is showing as using much RAM and have not had any issues prior to installing avast.  What I lose is a lot of Windows utilities, such as my QuickLaunch disappears, all my printers disappear and I cannot reload, the LAN interface stops.  I am not sure what else, those are all that I have noticed.  Everything returns to normal when I uninstall avast.   

[Lisandro]

All other AV are uninstalled

Which were they?

[CarlAxel]

See reply #3 above - ZoneAlarm, Windows Defender and older version of Avast.

[Lisandro]

ZA? Hmmm... Was it correctly uninstalled?
I see no reason for avast to be interacting that bad with Windows parts...
Seems a network problem (while loading with the Windows Explorer and the quick launch bar, after that with the printers, the network is not available...).

[CarlAxel]

I used ZA's uninstall tool and CCleaner.  As I said, everything returns to normal when I uninstall avast.