last stable version of avast 5? Using 4.8

[eastwick66]

I inherited this PC with XP SP2 (please do not suggest upgrading to SP3, will never do that again).
The former owner gave up on avast due to myriad problems with upgrading to 5 months ago and bought a Mac.

This PC has Windows Firewall, Malwarebytes Free, SpywareBlaster, and CCleaner.

Is avast 4.8 still supported with virus updates? Last night, PC froze on Firefox and some virus tried to install and avast went ballistic, said it moved to chest, then I shut down, restarted in safemode, and ran a full scan and avast found 3 things that I moved to the chest but when scan was over, the chest had an error that said:

Initialization of Chest files

Action was completed with errors!

Error reports:
Program cannot use Chest client: (null)
--->Description: Virus chest server is not running. RPC communication failed.

Initialization of Chest files
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program will try to load all Chest files from the following server: (null)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action was completed with errors!

I did an avast repair in add/remove, shut down, signed on and chest was now available but NO new things were in it that I moved there during that scan. Malwarebytes found nothing.

I'm uneducated about PC's and just want to use this one for the rest of this year then dump it.
I keep getting a pop up to UPGRADE avast but after reading many issues with XP with avast 5 versions, I definitely don't want to install version 6, so can someone please tell me what was the last most STABLE version of 5 and where can I download it? 

Also, specific instructions on what to do after downloading newer version to desktop (I am not technical, please)?
Do I uninstall avast 4.8 before downloading 5? Is there some utility to uninstall it or should I just use add/remove programs?

Thanks for any help!

[Lisandro]

Version 4.8 send some files to Chest due to backup reasons.
Version 6 is fully supported by Windows XP, why don't you try an installation from scratch?

It's not a good idea to downgrade... Anyway...

1. Uninstall avast from Control Panel first.
2. Boot.
3. Use Avast Uninstall for complete uninstallation.
4. Boot.
5. Stay off-line (not connected to Internet)
6. Install again the old version: http://filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/
7. Boot.
8. Register avast (insert the registration key).
9. Uncheck the programs updates (set to manual).
10. Only then connect to Internet (go on-line).
11. Check and post the results.

[eastwick66]

I do NOT want version 6! All my friends with XP had major issues with it and I am not technical enough to deal with this. 

Can someone please post a link to the most stable version of 5?

Your instructions are too hard to understand, you say to uninstall TWICE, why? And what is "boot"...shut down/turn off and then restart the PC?

I am really sorry, but I am a worse amateur than the previous owner of this PC.

Thanks again for any further help.

[Lisandro]

Can someone please post a link to the most stable version of 5?

Number 6 above...

Your instructions are too hard to understand, you say to uninstall TWICE, why? And what is "boot"...shut down/turn off and then restart the PC?

It's not two uninstallations but rather using two methods to assure the uninstallation: the first (normal uninstallation) needs to be followed by a boot. The the second, to remove any remains of it, using the uninstall tool: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html, followed by a second boot.

[=SKY=]

Can someone please post a link to the most stable version of 5?

Look here and choose the one you want :

http://www.oldapps.com/avast_antivirus.php

[eastwick66]

I WILL NOT install version 6!
WHY are you insisting on this?

 Can someone else please help?
1. Where is the uninstaller for 4.8?
2. do I first remove 4.8 from add/remove programs, then also use the uninstaller utility after that?
3. I just found a download for 5.1.889 through a link on avast forums.
So where do I save the download to 5.1.889...to my desktop?
4. Do I do all this in safe mode or just in normal mode?
5. what does he mean by "boot?" Shut down the PC totally, then restart it?

Thanks if someone new will reply that won't insist I install version 6, which I absolutely will not.

[Rednose]

Calm down, take a deep breath, and read Tech's instructions again. Everything is provided as you requested, including links to Avast! 5

Greetz, Red.

[eastwick66]

I'm 76 years old, a NOVICE pc user, have never done any of this before, and I still do not understand the instructions. And there is NO link to the 4.8 uninstaller. WHY can't someone just answer my numbered questions in order?
I don't know what "boot" means, I don't know what "HDD" means, don't know where to save these downloaded things, and am totally LOST.

I can see why my elderly friend gave up on this forum and on avast, which is designed for experienced users only and us older users are treated like we should know what you're all talking about and we DON'T.

Last try...in what order do i do what to uninstall 4.8 and install 5.1.889? please SOMEONE with patience give instructions.

[doktornotor]

Well, I'd suggest getting a help from someone more comfortable with these simple instructions then.

[DavidR]

- Download the avast! Uninstall Utility, aswClear5.exe find it here and save it to your HDD (it has uninstall tools for avast applications, including 4.8 ).

[eastwick66]

Is this link safe to download 5.1.889?
http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/tech/9090/

Thanks.

[doktornotor]

Of course it is safe.

[eastwick66]

What is an HDD? Doesn't anyone read anything? I don't know what an HDD is, for god's sake...is it the desktop?
And i don't have anyone more experienced to help me!!!

PLEASE. someone from avast help me! How can I contact one of the moderators that work for avast?

[doktornotor]

HDD - hard drive. Seriously (and please take this advice positively), with responses like this:

I don't know what "boot" means, I don't know what "HDD" means, don't know where to save these downloaded things, and am totally LOST.

I do not think that you should be the person installing and setting up security software on your computer. Get a more experienced Windows user to do it for you.

[Rednose]

He said he has no one to help him.

My own father is 77 years old so I can understand this is complicated for the OP. I will follow this topic and do my best to help him, and I am sure you guys will do too

Greetz, Red.