AVAST 7 causes blue screen (Windows7 64-bit)

[cska133]

hi,
I was using Avast 6.0.1367 and did not upgrade on purpose, because since the release of version 7 I was reading that many users have blue screens. So I was waiting for a new version.
Unfortunetly I was "forced" to upgrade because of definitions update issue http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=96377.0 and http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=97896.15. Repair was not possible, downloading a new VPS did not help, uninstalling with the new Uninstall Tool also without success.
So I decided to upgrade to Version 7 with the hope that something was done in relation to blue screen.
But no luck! The whole day I am trying to install v 7 and everytime after new start Windows is not able to boot and stay on blue screen after Wellcome window. Have to downgrade to v6.
What a shame, that Avast does/did not pay attention to this

any help or opinions?
Windows 7 64bit
I have only Comodo FIREWALL without AV

[Gooob]

I and countless others run Avast 7 on Win 7 x64 with not a single functional problem.

You either have:
Comodo conflicting
Other software conflicting
Security software crud not fully cleaned off your system.

Outside chance:
A hardware or driver problem only revealed by intensive use of multiple applications.

What you don't have:
A fundamental problem with Avast 7 and WIndows 7 64bit...

[iroc9555]

cska133

Look for the latest minidump in C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\minidump.dmp. Compress it with ZIP, RAR or 7Zip and give it an original name. It will also be a good idea to include a text ( use notepad ) with your Forum e-mail and URL of this post.

Upload the minidump to ftp://ftp.avast.com. Use IE for this and follow instructions.

Or Start > Run > Copy/paste " explorer ftp://ftp.avast.com/incoming " without quotes. Drag dump file into the ftb window.

[AdrianH]

I and countless others run Avast 7 on Win 7 x64 with not a single functional problem.

You either have:
Comodo conflicting
Other software conflicting
Security software crud not fully cleaned off your system.

Outside chance:
A hardware or driver problem only revealed by intensive use of multiple applications.

What you don't have:
A fundamental problem with Avast 7 and WIndows 7 64bit...

Good post.

I have Avast7 and Win7 64Bit on 2 systems here ( also a 32Bit system) and have not seen any blue screen issues, in fact in all the time I have run Win7 I have never seen a blue screen. I have installed Avast7 on too many PC's to count and discounting some issues in the beta testing stages of v7 have had no real problems at all.

[chrishester]

I have just bought a new PC moving from Windows XP to Windows7. After installing Avast 7 I too have got constant blue screens. The PC was alright in Safe Mode. I thought it was an old modem at first, but after upgrading to a newer one the blue screens continued. I realised they did NOT occur when the modem was switched off, or the ethernet cable removed from the PC. After uninstalling Avast I stopped the blue screens.

Since I love Avast and have used it for many years, I would like to know how to fix this problem.

I have followed the instructions above and zipped a dump file and uploaded it to "incoming" via FTP. Can someone please look at it and help me restore my beloved Avast?

The file name has my name in it.

Thanks!

[CraigB]

I have just bought a new PC moving from Windows XP to Windows7. After installing Avast 7 I too have got constant blue screens. The PC was alright in Safe Mode. I thought it was an old modem at first, but after upgrading to a newer one the blue screens continued. I realised they did NOT occur when the modem was switched off, or the ethernet cable removed from the PC. After uninstalling Avast I stopped the blue screens.

Since I love Avast and have used it for many years, I would like to know how to fix this problem.

I have followed the instructions above and zipped a dump file and uploaded it to "incoming" via FTP. Can someone please look at it and help me restore my beloved Avast?

The file name has my name in it.

Thanks!

Did you remove the preinstalled AV from your new system before installing avast ?

[chrishester]

You mean the trial version of Norton that came with my PC? No, I did not think it was running.

[iroc9555]

You mean the trial version of Norton that came with my PC? No, I did not think it was running.

Remove Norton with its removal tool. Follow instructions in step 2:

https://www-secure.symantec.com/norton-support/jsp/help-solutions.jsp?docid=20080828154508EN&lg=english&ct=united+states&product=home&version=1&pvid=f-home&entsrc=redirect_pubweb

[chrishester]

I have Norton running (as I could not get Avast to). Before I kill Norton and try Avast again, can anyone confirm that it was definitely the cause of my blue screens (and not a hardware or other software issue)?

When I got the new PC, Norton prompted me to protect my PC saying I wasn't protected. Although there was a shortcut on the desktop, I thought Norton was not running until I registered (signed up) and 'activated' it. So therefore, would an inactive Norton still cause a clash with Avast?

[mchain]

Hi chrishester,

Short answer is:  Yes.

Long answer: 

• All a/v's have self-protection modules, so files of that a/v cannot be modified by malware, etc.  This protection is active whether or not one activates the subscription or not.
• Norton is notorious for causing internet connectivity issues when it is uninstalled.
• Two antivirus programs will clash if both are active; reason for that is because both can seize the same file at the same time when scanning, and thus lock up the computer.

Avast! will scan these protection modules as long as they are there.
 
Site for total (or near to total removal of antivirus programs) here:  http://kb.eset.com/esetkb/index?page=content&id=SOLN146

Download installation program while still protected.  Download uninstall utility.  Link will provide uninstaller.

Go offline.

Run the additional uninstall utility after uninstalling in Add/Remove.  Uninstaller utility will remove remnants left over.

Strongly suggest installing offline only.  This will prevent an unprotected system from being infected; registration or license insertion can occur when system is fully protected.

You may need to reboot, to clear out any a/v files still in use, by the uninstall utility.

EDIT:  As you now have Norton fully operational and running, it must be removed completely before attempting to install Avast!
So the question about whether an inactive Norton on your system can clash with Avast! now really does not apply.  It most certainly will.

[chrishester]

Can I install Avast as a second anti-virus program alongside Norton? I need to test something using Avast.

[YoKenny]

Can I install Avast as a second anti-virus program alongside Norton? I need to test something using Avast.

Go back and read mchain's post

Short answer is:  Yes.

Long answer: 

• All a/v's have self-protection modules, so files of that a/v cannot be modified by malware, etc.  This protection is active whether or not one activates the subscription or not.
• Norton is notorious for causing internet connectivity issues when it is uninstalled.
• Two antivirus programs will clash if both are active; reason for that is because both can seize the same file at the same time when scanning, and thus lock up the computer.

Avast! will scan these protection modules as long as they are there.
 
Site for total (or near to total removal of antivirus programs) here:  http://kb.eset.com/esetkb/index?page=content&id=SOLN146

Download installation program while still protected.  Download uninstall utility.  Link will provide uninstaller.

Go offline.

Run the additional uninstall utility after uninstalling in Add/Remove.  Uninstaller utility will remove remnants left over.

Strongly suggest installing offline only.  This will prevent an unprotected system from being infected; registration or license insertion can occur when system is fully protected.

You may need to reboot, to clear out any a/v files still in use, by the uninstall utility.

EDIT:  As you now have Norton fully operational and running, it must be removed completely before attempting to install Avast!
So the question about whether an inactive Norton on your system can clash with Avast! now really does not apply.  It most certainly will.

You can not run Norton with avast!

[chrishester]

Sorry, let me rephrase my question. Can Avast be installed as a second anti-virus program and deactivated whilst Norton is running? I can then pause Norton, start up Avast to test what I need to, then stop it and restart Norton again.

[mchain]

Sorry, let me rephrase my question. Can Avast be installed as a second anti-virus program and deactivated whilst Norton is running? I can then pause Norton, start up Avast to test what I need to, then stop it and restart Norton again.

No.

If Norton is present and inactive or active, it will interfere with the proper clean installation of Avast!  Reason for that is explained above. 

Some parts of Avast! may not work properly after install, Norton may prevent installation of certain files, and your system may hang or crash in the worst case.  Think of an antivirus as a program that has administrative rights to every file on your system, and like a gorilla, has the privilege to behave in unwanted ways, and thus could be very destructive.

Having two active antivirus programs can actually weaken or lessen your protection.  So, the possibility exists you could wind up with an infected system even worse than you already have, if you choose to do this.

Instead of doing all or any of the above, why not ask a malware specialist like essexboy to have a look at your system and investigate the problem(s) you are having without potentially destroying your system? 

It would seem that would be the best course of action here.

If you think this is a wise and best course of action, then submit the following logs from these programs here:  Malwarebytes, OTL, and aswMBR.  Attach these files using the link below the text box using Attachments and other options.

You can get these programs from here:  http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

Once under the care of a malware specialist, strongly suggest not changing or modifying your system while cleaning and repair is ongoing.  Perform only the tasks requested, and follow all instructions to the letter.

I can only hope you wind up following this advice.  It is your system, after all.

We really do not care if you are running Norton, AVG, Avira, Kaspersky, etc., we will help you clean your system if you ask us to.

[Emmeric]

I'm having the same issue as the OP. Started two days ago.

I am running XP-64 Pro.

Getting BSOD causing constant restarts. Checked the minidump file. Unfortunately, there is no minidump file for me to upload as the only way I can access my computer is to restore to an earlier time. I probably could do it in safemode.

I have no other AV programs. Windows firewall is always off. I never have multiple programs running except for Firefox and maybe an online MMO game.

Tried uninstalling and reinstalling. Can't uninstall. The only way to remove Avast at this point is safe mode, manually deleting the Alwil folders and CC-cleaning everything else. The latest download immediately causes BSOD on Windows loading screen. I would rather not operate without virus protection and Avast has been impeccably good.

Any fixes/suggestions?