Avast (Home) stopped working after update

[=98=]

Last night i got the green popup that told me that there was an Avast program update available. So i told it to update, however it got to the point where it said "downloading servers.def.vpu" (or something along those lines). At this point it just stopped working and crashed.

I closed the process, rebooted and attempted to update it again, same thing. So I uninstalled, cleaner any left over registry entries using CCleaner and manually deleted any left over files in "program files -> Alwil Software" and then downloaded the latest version off the interweb.

I installed the new version, and it all appears fine until i try and receive my mail on Thunderbird or browse the net of Firefox. Thunderbird simply said "cannot connect to POP3 account" and Firefox just loaded blank pages. After looking around Avast i found that the following settings were causing the problems:

This is what the settings looked like after installation (although the net or mail wouldn't work)

Web Scanner:

Email Scanner:


The only way i can get the Internet or mail to work on my system is to either disable the component or remove the ports in those boxes.

Avast says it also cannot update:


The strange thing is that my other computer running the same version of Avast updated fine and the Internet and mail runs fine with those ports in the settings, seems it's just this computer....

My firewall (zonealarm) is set to allow any Avast program complete access to the Internet, and i don't believe my router is at fault as the computer updates and operates fine.

Any ideas, i'm now desperate...

[camper.]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

Yes, cough up and buy NOD32 :P

You have a vague answer here:

Web Shield

Web Shield is a unique feature of avast! that enables it to monitor and filter all HTTP traffic coming from the Web sites on the Internet. Since an increasing number of viruses (and other malware, such as adware, spyware and dialers) are being distributed via the World Wide Web, the need for an effective countermeasures has also increased. The Web Shield acts as a transparent HTTP proxy and is compatible with all major web browsers, including Microsoft Internet Explorer, FireFox, Mozilla and Opera.
Unlike most competitive solutions, Web Shield's impact on browsing speed is almost negligible. This is because of a unique feature called "Intelligent Stream Scan" that lets the Web Shield module scan objects on-the-fly, without the need of caching them locally. Stream scanning is performed in operating memory only (without the necessity to flush the contents to disk), providing maximum possible throughput rates.

Another:
http://www.digiportal.com/esupport/upload_zend/index.php?_a=knowledgebase&_j=questiondetails&_i=5 9&nav2=Conflicts%20with%20other%20applications

[sava700]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

My firewall (zonealarm)

REMOVE zonealarm!!!!!!!!! Clean everything off that has to do with that pc of crap program... if your using windows and a router you don't need software firewall apps like that to begin with. Routers have a Hardware firewall "NAT" built in along with windows firewall that keeps stuff from comin in anyway. So as long as you follow that and keep the computer clean you won't have issues but I can see zonealarm and avast having issues with something else sparking it but needless to say you don't need zonealarm and its the DEVIL!!!

Post back after you remove that first, also turn off system restore and remove avast again and whatever else causing you a issue and lets start over.

[=98=]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

REMOVE zonealarm!!!!!!!!! Clean everything off that has to do with that pc of crap program... if your using windows and a router you don't need software firewall apps like that to begin with. Routers have a Hardware firewall "NAT" built in along with windows firewall that keeps stuff from comin in anyway. So as long as you follow that and keep the computer clean you won't have issues but I can see zonealarm and avast having issues with something else sparking it but needless to say you don't need zonealarm and its the DEVIL!!!

Post back after you remove that first, also turn off system restore and remove avast again and whatever else causing you a issue and lets start over.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Zonealarm, in fact most magazines and review sites vote it the best firewall out there. As for hardware firewall and NAT, they are good, but not perfect, thus stuff still gets in. I'm sorry, but my other computer runs Avast and Zonealarm side by side so this is out of the question.

And, @ Camper: Thanks for that info, it's very useful. So from what i have read, it's telling me to change the port that the Internet and email data are being sent to right (as long as the port is open). So if i open up some other ports (e.g. 55000 for HTTP traffic, 55001 for POP3 & 55002 for SMTP) and direct the data there, it should work ok?

[sava700]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Zonealarm, in fact most magazines and review sites vote it the best firewall out there. As for hardware firewall and NAT, they are good, but not perfect, thus stuff still gets in. I'm sorry, but my other computer runs Avast and Zonealarm side by side so this is out of the question.

Man, I clean computers for a living I'm a Tech for a very large College and I see these things everyday. We run Avast along with a few other anti-virus programs for cleaning purposes and I've seen it all! If your having things do things or "get in" behind the router's firewall then your computer isn't clean of spyware and whatever else.

Well if your going to stick to zonealarm...at least boot into safe mode and stop the service and try avast again.


ALSO!!!!: be aware you have something asking you to send something via a open port or open a port and thats not advised since its like a popup saying "Click me to get rid of spyware"

[=98=]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

Man, I clean computers for a living I'm a Tech for a very large College and I see these things everyday. We run Avast along with a few other anti-virus programs for cleaning purposes and I've seen it all! If your having things do things or "get in" behind the router's firewall then your computer isn't clean of spyware and whatever else.

It is clean, and i haven't had a problems for a while now. The last time i had anything wrong was when i contracted a virus/adware through a dodgey warez site (but Avast picked it up a few hours later after an update)

Well if your going to stick to zonealarm...at least boot into safe mode and stop the service and try avast again.

I actually think the problem is the same as the one found in that link Camper posted. It just came out of no where, so i am going to try that first before doing anything drastic. I'm just waiting for him to reply to confirm what i asked earlier.

ALSO!!!!: be aware you have something asking you to send something via a open port or open a port and thats not advised since its like a popup saying "Click me to get rid of spyware"

Just because it is an open port doesn't mean there is no type of virus scanning used on data coming into it. In fact, it's just as susceptible to dodgy data as other ports. I'm talking about forwarding the ports, exactly the same way i forward ports for Azureus. And anyway, most firewalls pick up on any type of port scans and immediately reject connection.

[sava700]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

Check your running tasks kill anything that shouldn't be running, Check your msconfig for startup and see if anything loaded or is loading at startup you don't know. Like I said get into safe mode so nothing can hide and do a few scans for spyware with something perhaps 1.5spybot or superanti spyware


first thing I kill when I'm cleaning off a computer/laptop is zonealarm if its there and just tweak everything else. Never had a problem if the computer stays clean and you stay away from "warez" sites and p2p's LOL

but I sent you a PM about something else

[=98=]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

Done a full system scan in Safe mode and found nothing but a few cookies. I don't think there are any viruses. I believe it's whatever Camper posted.

[sava700]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

if you uninstall avast and uninstall zone alarm are you getting on the net? If you uninstall both then put only avast back on are you getting online? Then once you put zone alarm back on did everything get screwed again and so on?

Rule out the causes check startup apps, etc

[camper.]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

There's no problem with Zonealarm, it's saved my arse a few times from uppity programs (it kills them as soon as they attempt to start if you need it) and about 5 zillion port scans.

It will cut all networking if the TrueVector service is down, check in that case (also, there's a switch in the program itself, the padlock icon that enables/disables networking, but not the service itself - if you didn't already know)


The only way to know is for you to try that solution posted. I'm actually more lost than you

Oh, by the way, in Firefox and IE, set the connection setting to "Automatically detect proxy settings" if you haven't.

[sava700]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

There's no problem with Zonealarm, it's saved my arse a few times from uppity programs (it kills them as soon as they attempt to start if you need it) and about 5 zillion port scans.

It will cut all networking if the TrueVector service is down, check in that case (also, there's a switch in the program itself, the padlock icon that enables/disables networking, but not the service itself - if you didn't already know)


The only way to know is for you to try that solution posted. I'm actually more lost than you

Oh, by the way, in Firefox and IE, set the connection setting to "Automatically detect proxy settings" if you haven't.

google problems with zone alarm and see how many issues you see lol

Really if you keep your computer clean, stop downloading porn,warez, trying to test ******s, etc etc you won't ever need a software firewall. PERIOD!

[camper.]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

google problems with zone alarm and see how many issues you see lol

Really if you keep your computer clean, stop downloading porn,warez, trying to test ******s, etc etc you won't ever need a software firewall. PERIOD!

I had a few problems. All solved within minutes. The strangest one was that it would make Quake 4 load ****loads longer, because of CA Antivirus' crappy scanner.

As for pr0n, warez, testing ******s, blah blah blah, how many office computers have people doing that? Every major virus/worm/other was transferred through e-mail and actual virus-like behaviour, not through gullible kids finding out DDL sites and shady newsgroups for the first time.

Either way, I roll with Comodo now, and for Vista, the standard firewall is fine.

[sava700]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

Either way, I roll with Comodo now, and for Vista, the standard firewall is fine.

Yep.. vista's standard is just about as good as XP's so nothing secondary is really needed. :salute:

[=98=]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

I owe you an apology Sava, turned out Zonealarm was the problem. According to one of the Avast Tech support, it sometimes suffers from "amnesia", and despite showing that Avast is allowed through, it is in fact blocked. Thus, i reinstalled Zonealarm and all is good now.

Thanks for the help guys.

[camper.]

Re: Avast (Home) stopped working after update

I owe you an apology Sava, turned out Zonealarm was the problem. According to one of the Avast Tech support, it sometimes suffers from "amnesia", and despite showing that Avast is allowed through, it is in fact blocked. Thus, i reinstalled Zonealarm and all is good now.

Thanks for the help guys.

Lawl, I've never had that. Silly Zonealarm people...

Many complaints about the new version being rubbish, but I wouldn't know.