New at Avast

[wan2fly99]

Downloaded the free version to see how it works.
I am using windows XP

1) How do I get Avast to start automatically when windows start?  I do not see the round icon for avast on my computer at the bottom right.  I have to click on avast on the desktop and then it appears.

2) Also it usually rotates  but not on my computer

3)  When I initiate a scan for a drive it goes say to 94% and then just hangs.

Is my install gone weird do I have to download again and re-install?

any help is appreciated.

Like to evaluate this software

[Asyn]

Where did you download it..??
Try this: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free.exe
Do you run other security related software..??

[CraigB]

Did you completely remove your prior antivirus before installing avast, did you use the recomended removal tool to clean up leftovers ? what service pack XP

[wan2fly99]

The lady that re-installed my windows installed. It says system secure but scans don't complete and like I said button doesn't rotate or appear when windows starts up

I have service pack 3 on my XP machine

What I will do is download from where you said and install and try it again

[mikaelrask]

hey. yes you download from the site Asys said but before you install avast you must uninstall what antivirus program you using atm before you can install avast.

[wan2fly99]

Downloaded file  and ran Option came up to change avast or uninstall. 
I then quit

I should choose uninstall first correct?

Then run program downloaded again and chose install?

Will try that tonight

Will it ask me for an activation key?   Is that for the free version?

[Asyn]

1. Then run program downloaded again and chose install?
2. Is that for the free version?

1. Follow instructions here: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
Then reinstall avast.
2. Yes.

[wan2fly99]

Now the icon rotates, avast starts up when computer starts.

But still say when I scan c drive get to a certain percentage done  and then seems to hang

It was scanning desktop folder  and was at 28%  I let it go for 2 hours and didn't move.

What do I have to do now.

Also scanned another drive went to 99%  and then just hung

[ady4um]

Now the icon rotates, avast starts up when computer starts.

But still say when I scan c drive get to a certain percentage done  and then seems to hang

It was scanning desktop folder  and was at 28%  I let it go for 2 hours and didn't move.

What do I have to do now.

Also scanned another drive went to 99%  and then just hung

Download the removal utility from http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

Download the FREE edition of Avast from the official site (not any trial, but the FREE edition).

Reboot into Windows Safe Mode and run the removal utility you just downloaded.

Select the correct version to remove and the correct folder where Avast is currently installed.

Once removed, reboot into Normal Mode and run the installation program for the Free edition of Avast. Reboot immediately after the installation finishes.

Test it and run it for a few days. If you have any problem, please report back.

If everything is fine after some days, register it (for free). If you happen to have any problems, whether with Avast, the scans, or the registration, then come back and ask again.

[wan2fly99]

Okay will try this tonight thanks for all the help

[wan2fly99]

End of the ropes now:

before uninstall I went and saw 2 log files in avast interface

uninstalled as mention thru safe mode and  installed again.  Before installed made sure no avast folders or directories existed  Used also CCleaner for the registry


When i re-installed those log files where still there when looking in the avast interface
I had deleted everything about avast

So does it mean it didn't install correctly again?

Still it sort of hangs when I do a scan  depending on the drive I scan.
In c  it goes maybe up to 28%  and then just stays there.
E drive  goes to 97%  and then stays

I have c and d  in 1 physical drive

[Asyn]

Still it sort of hangs when I do a scan  depending on the drive I scan.
In c  it goes maybe up to 28%  and then just stays there.
E drive  goes to 97%  and then stays

1. Check your drives for errors.
2. Other security related software installed..??

[ady4um]

before uninstall I went and saw 2 log files in avast interface

That's not clear to me. What log files in the GUI?

Moreover, if you are talking about Avast log files, all are deleted with the removal utility http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility and also by using CCleaner (Avast item).

So, either you have something else interfering with Avast (like for example other security tools), or interfering with Windows itself, or you might have a hardware problem in your HDD.

Running the relevant manufacturer's tools on your HDD might help. After that, you might want to run chkdsk under Windows Safe Mode or under Recovery console (it may take longer than under Windows Normal Mode, but it's safer).

[wan2fly99]

Yes in Avast GUI when you go look at the log files

Maybe its my HHD then  How can I check if they are okay  Do I do a chkdsk or something?

[ady4um]

Yes in Avast GUI when you go look at the log files

Well, you are still not being clear enough, but I am going to assume you are talking about selecting "some" shield and opening the "shield log" link. If this assumption is correct, then I insist that both the removal utility of Avast and CCleaner (Avast item) should delete them. So either you haven't followed the instructions to run the removal utility correctly, or you are seeing "new" logs (and not the old ones).

Maybe you have some malware?

Maybe its my HHD then  How can I check if they are okay  Do I do a chkdsk or something?

Running the relevant manufacturer's tools on your HDD might help. After that, you might want to run chkdsk under Windows Safe Mode or under Recovery console (it may take longer than under Windows Normal Mode, but it's safer).