AVAST doesn't startup & impossible to remove

[jcvdvoorde]

After a scan and removal of filed recommended to remose, AVAST didn't start with Windows7 at next start.
Impossible to remove the Avast software with std windows uninstalling function.
Impossible to update to AVAST  : in all cases receive a message as below
" Error reading product data from "C:\programFiles\Alwil Software\AVAST5\Setup\Part-setup_ais-557.vpx". Setup cannot continue.
Any idea to get around this, feel uncomfortable without Anti Virus and impossibility to change.
Anticipated thanks.
jcvdvoorde

[Pondus]

read instructions on website

remove with this and reboot  http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

install again

[jcvdvoorde]

Thanks PONDUS.
Had just started and had to use aswclear in safemode to get through.
Issue closed.
jcvdvoorde

[Mablet]

read instructions on website

remove with this and reboot  http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

install again

uninstall from control panel and aswclear.exe is not working for me. My free antivirus starts but does not update. Each attempt to update is unsuccessful. And it is impossible to uninstall.

[DavidR]

Are you running the aswclear.exe from safe mode as stated in the instructions on the link Pondus gave ?

[Mablet]

I've ran tried to remove avast on safe mode but always say that 'aswclear.exe' is not a valid win32 application'. NB. This message is given when on safe mode logged in as adminstrator. I tried logging in as user and the same error message appears. I also tried going through the control panel but no joy. I'm using XP Pro. Please advise.

[DavidR]

Where did you download from ?
It should be from http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility which will always have the latest version.
See image (click to expand) it shows information on a copy I downloaded, the file size 318KB or 324880 bytes and the MD5 should match that in the image.

Did you use a download manager or just your browser to save to your hard disk ?

This 'aswclear.exe' is not a valid win32 application' is sometimes an indication that you have an infection as the malware tries to block security tools and throws up this error window. Though it could be file corruption and why I asked the above questions.

[Gopher John]

Aswclear.exe http://files.avast.com/files/eng/aswclear.exe currently has the following checksums and size.  Check the one downloaded and compare.

File: aswclear.exe
Size: 324880 bytes
File Version: 7.0.1412.0
MD5: 9582D79182F24C66E7B3CF8F0C9B2A1A
SHA1: 20FD204F02D21E963DA29D26EF459A1571EAF468
CRC32: ADFB2462

[Mablet]

I think you are right I have a virus that is preventing the removal of avast and redering aswclear.exe impotent. NB. It is also preventing my avast from updating (my avast last updated a month ago. Each attempt to update results as unsuccessful). The question now is, How do I remove this virus urgently? NB. Aswclear.exe was downloaded using my browser following the link in the avast website.

[DavidR]

I'm not 100% certain it is a virus, but if the aswclear.exe is being blocked/prevented in safe mode, you don't say why it is prevented, errors, etc ?

Then it may require further investigation by a malware removal specialist:
Go to this topic http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0 for information on Logs to assist in cleaning malware. Use the information about getting and using the tools and start your own new topic and attach the logs there, not in the LOGS topic.

- Please create your own new topic, here http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=4.0 in the viruses and worms forum (click the New topic button at the top of the page see image) and we will try and help you there.