Help With AVG Anti-Virus Problems

[MAXIMUS01CAN]

I've tried uninstalling through add/remove and get an error message, tried reinstalling and get and an error message, tried uninstalling in safe mode same error, disabled the AVG Services in Administative tools, deleted every instance of AVG or GRisoft after a search and after that was able to remove AVG from the Add/Remove but it's still running somewhere in the code as everytime I restart the computer an error comes up saying AVG error etc. and even when I open outlook it tries to scan the mail and then errors out. Just don't know what to do to get rid of it. I'm guessing that it's still in the registers somewhere, but I don't know how to totally get rid of it. Maybe someone has some ideas as to how I can get rid of these files I've already used the following to look at the virus angle. Adaware, cwshredder, spybot search and destroy, symantech and McAfee online scans and have found nothing on the virus scans so I don't really think it's a virus thing. A few days ago I uninstalled the java console programs by mistake but then did a system restore to an earlier date and they were then back, but maybe something was missed in the restore........ All my programs seem to be working well with the exception of limewire which will not start, it looks as if it's going to start, but then nothing happens, just like an executable isn't working and this Grisoft AVG thing that I just can't seem to get rid of. Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Max

[TaoTeWingChun]

Max,

The first thing you needed to remember was when using a Restore point, anything installed AFTER that point would be affected. In your case, the damage has been done, so we need to figure out where to go from here.

I suggest you do a thorough search in your Registry for "avg" and "grisoft" and cleane out what you can (export those branches to a unique name as you go along so as not to completely kill your Win installation, right?). The next thing you will want to do is look into your Services panel and see what (if any) services are still left. Make note of them then try to run through the 'Add/Remove Programs' applet inside of Control Panel to see if you have better luck removing the remnants of AVG. If you get an error removing it, you may want to try the Repair option, which installs the app properly so the next time you reboot you can clean it off completely.

Post back and let us know how you make out.

Cheers!

TTWC

PS - Just as an aside, I use AVGFree on my personal systems, and I swear by it - it has caught and fixed problems that McAfee and Symantec Norton Anti-Virus wouldn't touch!

[guns1inger]

AVG is known for false positives, so it may have caught ghosts instead of real virii. I have used Avast! home (also free) and found many nasties that AVG left behind. Personally, I use Nortons, keep it updated, and don't have any problems.

[MAXIMUS01CAN]

Can someone refresh me on how to search the registry for reminents of AVG/Grisoft? Don't feel real comfortable going into the registry without knowing exactly what I'm doing or need to do As far as the services go, I went into the services and disabled the 2 instances of AVG that were running. It appears as though now the only time I have any indication of AVG running is when I fire up outlook and get the AVG plug in error message comes up. Other than that all seems to be running fine. I tried Repair, re-installing/uninstalling through Add/Remove, uninstalling in safe mode through Add/Remove, stopping the services and then trying to delete out the last .dll file and always with an error of some kind so I had no choice but to just deleted every instance I could find of AVG on C: using the search for AVG or Grisoft. But I'm sure something was left behind in the registry I can't remember if I had unhidden all the OS files at that time or not. I think I did. But there's still something running that wants to fire up. So help with the registry deletions would be greatly appreciated. I've since installed Avast! home and it seems to be a very nice suite of freeware so I feel I'm protected I'd just like to get the last of the AVG stuff cleaned off the old box.

Thanks in advance,
Max

[redwudz]

Don't say I didn't warn you. Messing with registry entries can be dangerous.

That said; Type 'regedit' into your run window. When it starts, go to File>Export and save a copy of the registry. Then go to Edit>Find and try 'avg' and 'grisoft'. You should find entries for both. You may have to use 'Find Next' a few times to view them all. What you do from there is up to you. I would learn a little more about the registry first before you start deleting.

I believe there are programs that may be somewhat safer to remove registry junk, but the above system is what I've used.

[MAXIMUS01CAN]

Thx for the info redwudz and I stand warned. Once I've found any instances of AVG or Grisoft would one normally just delete that line of code from the registry? I've had to go there before to clean out a couple nasty virus's that fixes weren't made for yet and it worked out okay, but that was a while ago now and I had a guide to follow. I don't know whether it's worth the headache though as everything is working fine, but it would just be nice to be able to clean the last of the AVG off the system and not have the error message popping up every time we access outlook. Thx in advance for the help

Cheers,
Max

[redwudz]

'Generally', you should be able to delete all instances of 'AVG' or "Grisoft' without any consequences. Just make sure to backup your registry before you run into problems. A little experience with regedit will let you know what you can delete safely. Probably you can delete them all. But some software hides stuff and could cause problems later.

Most decent software companies give you the option to delete all their files. I have no problems with Grisoft.

It's a good idea to learn about regedit and what it can do. It's a powerful tool and has to be used with discretion.

That said, you should be OK with deleting what has been discussed. If you know what the MAJOR part of AVG/Girsoft is, you should be able to kill that and the rest will be no problem. It's just hard to know which is the main file that you need to remove. As long as you back up the registry as you go, you should be OK.

[MAXIMUS01CAN]

Gracias Again and I'll give it a shot