Avast Error

[turquoise122]

Hi, I am having some Avast issues and can't find anything that references the code I pulled.

Specs:
HP Pavilion g6-1d70us Notebook PC
Intel Core i3-2350M CPU @ 2.30GHz
4.00 GB RAM
64 bit OS
W7

It first started out and continues with the voice alert that Avast has been updated repeating itself twice upon a start-up or wake-up. One right after the other. Although the visual notification only pops up one time. Most of the time I hear the voice twice; sometimes I hear the "ding" twice. I'm religious about running scans and get zero errors.

But this morning when I "woke" the sleeping elf (it's small) I got this notification at my log-in screen:

"Avast Application Error
The instruction at 0x00fa738a referenced memory at 0x00000000. The memory could not be read. Click OK to terminate."

After clicking OK, I still got the message that Avast was updated.
Thanks.

[Collegekid]

I had avast for a while, (the free version) and I got the little voice saying 'updated' a lot as well, but never that much. Sometimes the problem can be easily solved by uninstalling and then re-installing the program, if you have not tried that yet.

I'm sure someone else will have a better and more specific answer, but it can't hurt to try : ) I fixed one of my drivers that way.

[MrDarn]

As a die-hard Avast user, it pains me to say this after so many years.

I re-installed avast 4 times in 1 week a few months ago for the same problem. I also scoured the net looking for reasons, including 2 separate virus help forums (under an alias).

The advice is always the same.. "You're clean, just re-install Avast.

This made me just lose faith in Avast, and made me convinced i was infected with a new strain of virus thus far undetectable.

I hate saying this to someone as OCD about their security as i am, but i ended up Wipeing my disk, and giving the PC to my son, who now uses it to play Minecraft.

I have a new pc for everyday use, and run MSE, with 0 problems so far.

The old laptop also now runs MSE, with 0 problems.

Now, that said, i've had years of problem free Avast use... i just don't trust it anymore

Wish i had a happier report, and i probably went way overboard, but 4 times in 1 week of re-instalation was just too much for me. f you do go down the re-install route, make sure you use the Avast uninstaller and not just add-remove programs. I'm certain the problem is deep set, and a simple overwrite will not solve your issue.

[turquoise122]

Well...thanks to a happy start to my morning! haha
If I back up the laptop at this point am I backing up the virus as well?
Dang-it...this is only a few months new!!!

Can you post a link to MSE? Is this free or purchased software?
As always,
MUCH thanks!!

[abseh1]

Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows


Can not beat it for the price....free

[DonnaB]

I had the same problem though once I went into Settings and changed the option under Program from Auto Update to Ask when an update is available the problem was resolved.

It doesn't have anything to do with a virus just the program. I contacted a gentlemen who is an avid poster on the Avast forums and this was his reply:

Yes it is a minor glitch and is in the process of being fixed... The reason it is doing that is that originally Avast had a monthly ad for the pro and ais versions... But they were biggish and the complaints were phenomenal . So they decided to add them to the update toaster instead, but it appears to have broken something , The fix is nearly ready and should be out soon.. But some people went ballistic when their free AV had a once a month popup for the paid versions. I just ignore it .. And I have AIS :lol:

[turquoise122]

That sounds better but is that just about the repeated alert or my Avast error as well? I figured that string of code means something related to MrDarn's troubles. I have also used Avast for....ever and never had issues. Well I guess an occasional one...but it seems like it's stronger and working better than it ever has.

[MrDarn]

Like i said, every scan i ever got told to do came back clean. i just got sick of needing to re-install all the time, and i agree, not only were the ad's MASSIVE, but many of my clients took them to mean the program was no longer free, as the link to the free version of the update was obscure.

I've never looked back since changing to MSE. Wish i'd done it months ago.

[turquoise122]

Sounds good. Are there any settings that I may want to avoid. Meaning questions the set-up might ask if I want to apply - like that tea-timer setting in S&D that I don't use. Questions that might trip up the average user with confusing technical verbiage.

[zep516]

No! It's very straight forward, when you're done I'll ask for a Hijackthis log to check things over for you.

Joe

Let us know when you completed that, will give instruction for Hijackthis.