Avast stopped after system restore (XP) can't fix or uninstall !

[BrianAlex]

 Have always loved Avast! but recently I did a  "System Restore" to 3 weeks prior. Now Avast! is stopped and nothing happens when I click "Start Program" or "Fix" and of course it won't update. It won't even uninstall.
  I tried the uninstall utility in safe mode but that doesn't work either and I can't turn off the "Self Defense Module" (Settings/Troubleshoot).  I got an error message on the uninstall utility that I downloaded from the avast site " Not a Windows 32 Process" (paraphrased). Then in safe mode I got " AAVM Subsystem detected an RPC error"
 Great,now what can I do ?  Maybe there was a re-register of my license during the period of the restore,I can't remember but this may have happened and now the registry is incorrect? How can I fix this? I am not an advanced user but I am game to try anything. Much Thanks-Brian

[avast@@dvantage77.com]

You need a "Pete Scrape"

www.advantage77.com/Files/setup_av_pro_601367.exe
 
The “WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS” procedure to “scrape” all of avast! remnants from a computer system (AKA Pete Scrape) using the avast! example:
 
1) Add remove programs, remove avast!, restart.
 
2) Go to safe mode, use avast! removal tool, select avast! version #, restart, and repeat for every avast version ever loaded on that system
 
3) In Local disk C:, ProgramFiles, delete “avast” and “Alwil” directories if there.
 
4) In C:\Windows\temp, remove all.
 
5) Start, run, type “%temp%” and remove all.
 
6) Do a Windows search on all hard disks for instances of “avast” and “Alwil” and delete all.
 
7) Start, run, type “regedit” (Windows key + R). Under Hkey, current user, software, and remove “avast” and “Alwil”, then under Hkey, local machine, software,  and remove “avast” and “Alwil” (This is specific to Windows XP)
 
Use CCleaner to remove the rest of any avast! orphaned registry remnants, and restart.
 
9) Install avast! and reboot!
 
10) Usually, good luck at this point.  And you can substitute other manufacturers products into this script.  Remember, registry hacking is always risky, so always have a backup before you proceed.  It’s kinda like the acknowledgement checkbox in LSPfix, “I know what I’m doing, or, I like to reinstall my operating system”
 
Heres the whole article:  http://advantage77.com/blog/2012/02/16/when-all-else-fails-discovery-and-removal-of-antivirus-leftovers/

[chimp78]

7) Start, run, type “regedit” (Windows key + R). Under Hkey, current user, software, and remove “avast” and “Alwil”, then under Hkey, local machine, software,  and remove “avast” and “Alwil” (This is specific to Windows XP)
 

What's about Vista? What is the "replace" step for it? Thanks.

[avast@@dvantage77.com]

Pete believes it's the same for XP, Vista, AND 7.

[chimp78]

Ok, thanks.  Under Hkey, current user, software, there is Alwil and Avast.  And under Hkey, local machine, software, there is no Avast and Alwil. Is that normal?

[avast@@dvantage77.com]

The Alwil directory does not always exist.  I believe it was in version 4, and version 5, not in version 6, and 7  I don't know, some people have said yes, but may be leftovers.

[Lisandro]

Ok, thanks.  Under Hkey, current user, software, there is Alwil and Avast.  And under Hkey, local machine, software, there is no Avast and Alwil. Is that normal?

Yes if you upgraded version 5 to 6 and then to 7. No if you install 7 from scratch.

[chimp78]

OK, thanks you two. I used Avast for quite years-maybe 2 or 3 now. I updated from maybe 4 to 7 as yesterday.

[BrianAlex]

You need a "Pete Scrape"

www.advantage77.com/Files/setup_av_pro_601367.exe
 
The “WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS” procedure to “scrape” all of avast! remnants from a computer system (AKA Pete Scrape) using the avast! example:
 
1) Add remove programs, remove avast!, restart.
 
2) Go to safe mode, use avast! removal tool, select avast! version #, restart, and repeat for every avast version ever loaded on that system
 
3) In Local disk C:, ProgramFiles, delete “avast” and “Alwil” directories if there.
 
4) In C:\Windows\temp, remove all.
 
5) Start, run, type “%temp%” and remove all.
 
6) Do a Windows search on all hard disks for instances of “avast” and “Alwil” and delete all.
 
7) Start, run, type “regedit” (Windows key + R). Under Hkey, current user, software, and remove “avast” and “Alwil”, then under Hkey, local machine, software,  and remove “avast” and “Alwil” (This is specific to Windows XP)
 
Use CCleaner to remove the rest of any avast! orphaned registry remnants, and restart.
 
9) Install avast! and reboot!
 
10) Usually, good luck at this point.  And you can substitute other manufacturers products into this script.  Remember, registry hacking is always risky, so always have a backup before you proceed.  It’s kinda like the acknowledgement checkbox in LSPfix, “I know what I’m doing, or, I like to reinstall my operating system”
 
Heres the whole article:  http://advantage77.com/blog/2012/02/16/when-all-else-fails-discovery-and-removal-of-antivirus-leftovers/

 Thanks for the reply.
 1) Won't uninstall fron "add+remove"
 2) Avast removal tool won't run "Not a Widows 32 Program" (or whatever that error message).
 3) Will doing this and the further steps help if 1+2 above are not working?

 Maybe I should just un-do the system restore and then uninstall from there and find the system restore file that has the.... (opps, I'm over my head here) Thanks- BA

[BrianAlex]

 Well, now I can't undo the system restore. So I tried to restore to the earliest available date, (8Jan.12) and the note for that date was "install free Avast". It would not restore to that date and it looks like I am stuck now.-BA

[BrianAlex]

 3) Go to Program files and delete Avast.


    "Access Denied"

[BrianAlex]

SOLVED      After downloading the uninstall tool and booting in safe mode you have to double click the icon and then un-check the "protect my computer..." box and then proceed. That should be in the instructions and it might save someone else from tearing their hair out. Thanks-BA