Urlee,

Did you try the Avast Removal Tool?

What level did you do REVO?

I personally have never had a problem with just selecting all entries in REVO's reports and allowing removal regardless of what application I am removing.

Though REVO creates a restore point during its process, since there is a hangup why not create a restore point manually first before doing anything; removal tool or REVO? A user can never be too careful.

DA

Here is a link that might be useful: Avast Removal Tool

My experience with Revo. Run the Advanced level of Revo. When the scan is finished it shows the screen as you have displayed -- with the items in bold that should be checked for deletion. Check only the emboldened ones. Then click the Delete button. Revo may then show another screen without items in bold. But if there are items with pluses, click the plus to see if bold items are hidden. Any additional bold items that show should be checked for deletion. And that is what I do.

DA,
I had it on Moderate. Thanks for the Removal Tool URL. I shall click it to see what I get.

"fruitjar"
Thanks for your input too which gives me an idea of how to use Revo.

This is the problem I have to get resolved:
My Avast stopped updating. Each time I start up my computer, Avast sends a popup saying "last attempt to update your virus definitions was unsuccessful, try again".

Why fight it, there's too many fish in the sea.

In your shoes, I would use the removal tool and then switch to a different security program.

I recommend MS Security Essentials. Been using it for a couple of years and it's no problem at all. As someone in here said, "it's an install and forget". I do have to reset the time for a scan to a time when the PC is turned on.

I'd do a manual up date, as in download them, that may solve the issue with Avast,

Here is a link that might be useful: manual up date Avast

Microsoft themselves are suggesting we find another program as they have lost confidence in MSE. Still using it myself but will investigate alternatives very soon.

Goodbye MSE on HowToGeek

I am a big fan of the free version of Avast. Their boot-time scan can remove stuff that no one else can. (Uncheck the Chrome and Google toolbar options)

I would stay away from Microsoft Security Essentials. It seems to be getting weaker. MS is not using it on Windows 8 so I expect they aren't really trying as hard. Avira is OK but they now push Ask toolbars and other adware. AVG is also not as good as it used to be.

If I were going to pay for an anti-virus then it would be either BitDefender or Kaspersky.

Consumer Reports and Virus Bulletin pretty much call all three free A's near equal. Currently I can't see enough reported difference to be concerned. Ford, Chevy, Chrysler situation.

MSE is riding off into the sunset.

DA

Posted by zep516 on Thu, Nov 14, 13 at 14:50
I'd do a manual up date, as in download them, that may solve the issue with Avast,
Zep, I did DL ready to Install and it will not install over so I have to remove the old one.

I screwed up my computer before by being such an idiot, so am very nervous about doing it again.
I don't even know where to find it?

This post was edited by urlee on Sun, Nov 17, 13 at 12:04

I did not know that about MSSE. Thanks.

Urlee, you will learn a lot just by reading in here if you have time.

Urlee, I don't know what you're doing and by your own admission you don't either. You remove programs at Control Panel - Programs and, failing that, use the removal tool previously mentioned.

I think it's been >6 months and maybe > 1 year since I first suggested that what I was reading suggested that MSE was a dog that was best avoided. I was pelted with virtual rocks for saying that.

Knowing nothing besides what I read myself from sources available to all, I agree with the recommendations of Bit Defender, Kaspersky, the other A's, and will add another of my own - I have found Norton to be consistently effective and unobtrusive except when necessary.

I will also say that I think trying to get by with a free version is a false economy. You can get an annual subscription for a top comprehensive systems for less than $20 (share a multi-user pack with a family member or friend or two). That's less than many people pay weekly for coffee.

AVASTCLEAR.EXE, Double click it, that's the removal application. That will remove Avast.

This post was edited by zep516 on Thu, Nov 14, 13 at 18:50

Is there a removal tool for MSE?

I googled that and it said to remove MSE in the add and remove section.

I installed Avast to try for a while. The only problem I had was the darn navigation bar opening every time I open FF. I found a way to stop it.

urlee,

Have you made any progress with Avast ?

******MSE Does not have a special uninstall tool and will remove easily through the add /remove programs list, as EmmaR has pointed out.

Posted by zep516
urlee, Have you made any progress with Avast ?

Zep, I put the vpsupd.exe onto my thumbdrive along with the Avast Removal Tool to put and experiment on my Netbook. I removed the old avast (it expired as I haven't been using the netbook and forgot to renew) using the tool and being it is windows 7, my gosh-----it did everything automatically! Tool worked slick! I just sat there and didn't have to do any searching for the old to remove and just click on yes when asked. Talk about progress!
Now on windows XP where I am having the problem, I am afraid it will be like a "Stick shift" on a car and I have to know what to do and when.

Come time to register Avast on the Netbook, it did NOTHING? Maybe cause I am on dialup and too slow for the Netbook starter, so am planning on trying later by HotSpot to see if it will take.

I found out the DL I did of Avast was 2014 which I didn't want. I think I read where that spells trouble. I DL'd it during the night when I was sleeping and it took 5 hours to DL.
I am going to do it over to get the older version this time by clicking on the URL you posted and on the middle link to DL. I tried it now to see and down in the left hand corner of the screen, it says 108MB, 7 hours left and changes to 6 then 3 then 7 etc.? My guess is 5.
I will have to cancel since I do not want to tie up my phone all day and redo tonight when I go to bed.

Zep, do you think the free Avast is enough?

It's enough for the causal user, you're not going to see big companies or business use free Anti Virus programs, they will be using Internet security suites.

Again, any of the 3 A's will be fine. The user mandates are the AV updated, and use safe Internet practices.

DA

I see issues with the three A's often. Usually they need fully uninstalled and reinstalled after the computer they are installed on has had a virus - They are usually bypassed & just sit there looking pretty doing nothing..

Microsoft Security Essentials, Windows Defender, Forefront. Nothing wrong with those in my life. Much preferred actually. They wont seek out and find a virus, unless you run a full scan which no-body takes the time to do... but will stop one if becomes active and it tries to do something.

I don't know which is best but I do know MSE did not stop two trojans when I was working on my 2 laptops. I did not give that a thought at the time because I thought maybe it was just malware instead a serious infection. Superantispyware found and removed them. I do like that Avast tells me the email I sent was clean, haven't gotten an email to see if it confirms the incoming is clean. I see the icon turning every time I open sites. I don't worry about it either way, but do like to try different things and enjoy reading the opinions of others.

No application is certified as 100%, either commercial or free.

DA

I am having a HARD time of it!------I DL'ed about 4 times, each taking 5-6 hours to do so and still can't get an old version of what I want.

zep516 (My Page) on Thu, Nov 14, 13 at 14:50
I'd do a manual up date, as in download them, that may solve the issue with Avast, Here is a link that might be useful: manual up date Avast

When I went there and clicked on the Updates for Version 5-8 (middle row) it DL'ed Version 4.8.0.0. Isn't that a too old of a version?
I then went to "filehippo" and clicked on different older versions from there and it always DL'ed the 2014 one I do NOT want as people are having a lot of trouble with it!
I want 7.0.1474 as I am embarassed to say I have 6.0.1497 here on my windows XP and wanted to stay close just to get it working till I read up on a safe one to DL that does not cause a lot of problems.

HELP!

Also--------Does a person have to worry about the Removal Tool taking something off that may screw up my computer or does it only take what Avast put on in the first place and only avast?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It only takes off Avast so you don't have to worry,

You need to download the latest version of Avast, it's just not logical to run older versions.

Here is a link that might be useful: avast.com/download

Anyone here Install the 2014?
Did it install a toolbar and Google Chrome without you having the chance to uncheck a box to not wanting it?

The version on my XP SP3 is 8.0.1497. I always just let it update automatically, but I realize you couldn't do that in your situation. I believe 2014 is for Windows 7 and newer. I notice the copyright on mine is 2008-2013.

In stalled the 2014.... I have W 7. I took the checks out so I would not get the junk with it. You have to watch for checked boxes on every download.

Isn't 2014 the paid security suite and not just the free AV? That's the impression I got when I Googled Avast 2014.

I have to agree about watching for checked boxes for unwanted toolbars and such. Adobe Flash updated a day or two ago and I had to remove the check for Chrome and the Google toolbar. The check I do keep is the one that says notify me first before updating.

I just installed it, had to register and it told me I have a year to go and it is free. But there are 3 types you can download, you have have to pay attention. The 2 times I have done it the one on the left was the free one and watch where they send you to download it. I was sent to Cnet and I don't like to download there.

I know this is 2012 but is where I got the idea of no control of it slipping those things in.

Here is a link that might be useful: Too quick to

It has been my choice to install or not on everything I have seen. I had things installed before I knew what to watch for and I just uninstalled them in programs add and remove.

Things regarding computers change all the time. I quit using Avast because it would not allow me to play my Iwin games, that is why I went to MSE. I have now installed Avast and can play my Iwin games.