AVG 8 (Free) issues

[BOAC]

I cannot reinstall AVG 8 as I have 'another AV/security' prog installed. I don't. Install stops at 'cannot create reg key'. All reg entries for AVG gone plus folders but 'Security Centre' in C Panel tells me 8 is 'installed, running and updated'??? Stuck!! 7.5 went on ok but of course will not update. All this following advice from AVG forum.

[frostbite]

Perhaps a bit of detritus left in the registry and fooling the system?

Maybe a quick clean will hook out an offending item.

[BOAC]

Yes, I thought so too, and had run 'reg Cleaner' and CCleaner which found a lot of stuff (not all AVG, naturally) but it was still 'there'! Mystified by its 'presence'??? Hijackthis does not show anything.

[The Voice]

I'm no smarty when it comes to these things - but is it worth opening task manager and check "processes" and see if anything is running? If it is then search for the files and nick 'em off ..

[mikedurward]

BOAC...........might be a silly question, but do you know how to use regedit?

[BOAC]

TV - had a couple of AVG bits that would not stop running but the reg hack cured that. No sign of anything I can recognise as AVG'ish now.

MD - yes - had to resort to find/delete to remove the keys that uninstall didn't!

Still struggling with the damn thing working 'normally' when it isn't anywhere to be seen.

[mikedurward]

BOAC......have you had any other anti-V installed, such as Norton? If so may be worth searching the reg for any ref to symantec.

[BOAC]

No Norton - never! Only Symantec I have is WinFax. I'm wondering if IE7Pro could be the problem? I think it is the only recent addition to my machine in that line.

[mikedurward]

BOAC.......to be honest IE7 should make no difference at all.
Are you sure that you managed to find all references to your anti-v when you looked in the reg?

[Tarq57]

Many folk have reportedly had problems with this.
Try the removal tool. (Probably the first download on the page.)
You may also need to reset the security centre, if it is still reporting AVG present, following the running of the tool, and a reboot.
How To:

1. Go to control panel and open Administrative tools.
2. Click on services.
3. Go down to Windows Management Instrumentation.
4. Stop this service. Stop Security Center service too.
Set them to Automatically start.
5. Exit out of this area, to your desktop.
6. Right click Start, and choose Explore.
7. Go to c : \windows\system32\wbem\repository.
Delete this subdirectory ONLY.
Leave the others there.
8. Exit back to your desktop and reboot your computer (you might need to boot twice).

This will rebuild the deleted folder, and the database.
Once restarted, Windows Security Center should show the correct info.
Antivirus, and firewall, should now be recognized.

Edited for inadvertent smiley removal.

[Tarq57]

PS: if you start to find AVG a bit too "high-maintenance", try Avast. Works, very well. Avira also has a happy following.

[berliner57]

Also had problems with AVG8, would not download updates, uninstalled, now using Avast.

[mazzy1026]

I tried Avast after being a long term user of AVG. Couldn't stand it! It took about 10 mins for my Ethernet/LAN capabilities to start up, and I really hated those annoying vocal alerts "Virus Database Has Been Updated".

[frostbite]

Another vote for Avast and I've never heard any vocal alerts so there must be an option to turn them off.

[The Flying Pram]

Another vote for Avast and I've never heard any vocal alerts so there must be an option to turn them off.

Another convert to Avast! from AVG, and yes there is an option to turn the voice off..

[BOAC]

Thanks to all here and a particular 'doff of the hat' to Tarq. Despite hours of 'gargling' and trawling the AVG fora I had not found that remover. Worked a treat as did the security fix. Still cannot install AVG however as it 'cannot create a registry key'. Tom's Hardware directed me to look at the reg permissions and sure enough they had changed. Reset them and rebooted to find my machine moving at the pace of a boiled haggis with some odd 'changes' to some of the functions. So, sys restore and all well again (without AVG!)

Off now to look at 'Avast'

[seanbean]

Another thumbs up for Avast here (works well in conjunction with Comodo Firewall). All home computers (x4) now converted, mix of Vista and XP with no problems.

[Keef]

I've never had a problem like that with AVG, but if it's headed that way...

Are there any reliable reports on how AVG compares with the others for catching viruses etc? It's never failed me, whereas McAfee and several of the others have in the past let nasties through.

I'd like to be sure which one I'm moving to, if AVG falls over.

[Tarq57]

Thanks to all here and a particular 'doff of the hat' to Tarq. Despite hours of 'gargling' and trawling the AVG fora I had not found that remover. Worked a treat as did the security fix.

Excellent, you're welcome. As we say in my line of work, I love it when a plan comes together.
Do run that removal tool again b4 installing any other AV, since a repeat install was attempted.

Are there any reliable reports on how AVG compares with the others for catching viruses etc? It's never failed me, whereas McAfee and several of the others have in the past let nasties through.

Reports/tests/reviews etc are problematic, because they can, by definition, only take a snapshot of how an application did "on the day". With hundreds of new nasties released daily, it's possible that an hour or twos' delay in updating virus definitions could make a difference to a "score". Viewed over time, they give a reasonable indication. AV-Comparatives is probably considered the authoritative testing site. And here is a Russian test of some AV's abilities at actual removal. Put it through Google Translate if you don't read Russian. The site is fairly well respected, from what I gather.

[Keef]

Thanks!

The Russian one is interesting. Looks like AVG should go, and Avast come in instead!