AVG clean uninstall

william23 · Joined: Nov 24, 2008 Posts: 22

I was using AVG anti virus ver 8.x free version. It crashed and I needed to uninstall. I used control panel to uninstall. I tried reinstalling AVG but i was geting an error message. So I want to install McAfee which i can get for free from my ISP as my new antivirus program. However, i am getting an error message on the installation which tells me that AVG ver 7.1 is not uninstalled and that I need to uninstall before I proceed. I have tried following the instructions on the AVG site to get a clean uninstall. But it doesnt work. No matter what I ahve tried I kee[p getting the same message when i try to install McAfee. Any help would be appreciated

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2657

Try Revo Uninstaller to clean off v7.1
http://majorgeeks.com/Revo_Uninstaller_d5706.html
or go here
http://www.filehippo.com/download_avg_antivirus/
download the exact version of AVG 7.1 that is hidden on the computer. Run the installer but select uninstall.

Personally, I'd recommend sticking with AVG free rather than McAfee. It is better protection. I too can get McAfee for free from my ISP and I have never taken them up on the offer because it is not as good as what I use.

william23 · Joined: Nov 24, 2008 Posts: 22

I would like to stick with AVG but I cant get reinstalled. i tried running Revi Uninstaller. It didnt find any indictation that any AVG product is on my computer. I tried again to reinstall AVG and I got the following error
Local machine installation failed. Installation; Error: action failed for directory scanlogs. setting directory acces Invalid parameter specified

goretsky · Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 7:46 pm Post subject:

Hello,

Have you tried running AVG's uninstaller tool? It is available from their web site at http://www.avg.com/download-tools/.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1629 Location: Central FL, USA

Thank you Mr G. for that link. Very Happy

A problem that I've found, over the years, is that when Windows UN-Installs a program it doesn't always (hardly ever, actually) remove all the old registry entries for that program. Sometimes it doesn't even remove all the files and folders that the program installed in the HD.

After UN-Installing any program, I always check the HD to make sure the files and folders for that program are GONE. If not, I manually delete them in Windows Explorer.

For instance, at one time the Norton removal tool (package) included three files.
One of those files was a script to remove all the old Norton Registry Entries.
I looked at that list and it incorporated 1891 registry entries, just for Norton AV.

Any program that is that complicated should definitely have a "Removal Tool".

Cheers Mates!
Doc Cool

goretsky · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 4:06 am Post subject:

Hello,

In this case, it is not so much Microsoft's fault as the author of the program you are attempting to remove from the system. The way most standard installation packages work is they log all the changes made to the system (files copied, registry entries created and so forth) and then use this data to generate an uninstallation script that is started when the program is uninstalled. Unfortunately, many programs make changes to a system when they are run for the first time, and these changes do not get logged to the uninstallation script. As a result, when the program is uninstalled, objects are left behind the computer. Sometimes, what is left behind is fairly minor (an empty directory or an .INI file, for example) but sometimes it can be quite a bit more, like a file system filter driver or a system service which gets "orphaned." Sometimes, even leftover settings can be problematic, such as changes made to a system in order to redirect email or web traffic through a local proxy. If the local proxy service gets removed but the settings do not, the email client or web browser would continue trying to connect to the proxy instead of the actual mail or web server, resulting in a loss of service until fixed.

In the case of security software, this is particularly onerous, because these leftover programs and changes cause all sorts of reliability, performance and stability problems when remnants of the old program clash with the new one.

Fortunately, most security companies are aware of the issue and have manual uninstallers available to revert any post-installation changes made by their software.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

william23 · Joined: Nov 24, 2008 Posts: 22

I tried the uninstlaller and made sure that the file folder was deleted. However I am still having the same problem

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1629 Location: Central FL, USA

I guess at that point, I'd run 'Regedit' and check 'Edit' then 'Find' and then type AVG into the text box and then do the Search.

I just did that on my system running AVG Pro and I stopped counting at 200 entries for AVG.

In rare instances, in the past, I've had to go through the registry and remove every entry for something I was trying to get rid of.
It takes a while, but it's very effective.

You might also look in C:\windows\syste32 for any files that start with AVG.

I just looked in my own HD and found just one avg file. It is Avgrsstx.dll.
Make sure you don't have that.

I guess doing a "Search" of the HD for AVG*.* would ferret out any left over AVG files. They can usually be deleted, right from the Search Results panel.

I like AVG so much that I'd do whatever it takes to make it work right on my PC.
AVG doesn't have a corner on the market, so to speak, for a program getting messed up on a PC. The last time I had to get rid of Zone Alarm, it was a whole day project. Twisted Evil

Good Luck,
The Doctor Cool

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1629 Location: Central FL, USA

Sorry for the dual post.

bem · Joined: Apr 22, 2009 Posts: 2

Even with all the registry cleaners and un-installers there are out there, plenty of programs just refuse to entirely leave when un-invited. Check Pricelessware, Lastfreeversion or google to find JV16 Power Tools, the original freeware edition (hint: not on Macecraft Laughing

)

The registry tool is amazingly powerful but very unconstrained; use with care. There is no recovery if you delete what you shouldn't unless you have a registry backup. Check the list carefully for Grisoft (on the left) or AVG (in the middle). Select those items, then drop to the bottom right and select 'Custom Remove.' When the window pops up select 'Deep' for the scan method. This will return every registry listing associated with this program, allowing you to remove them all without digging through regedit.

Search your computer for both terms, AVG and Grisoft, and remove any files or folders that may still be lurking (remember to search system files!). That really should do it.

Raydeo · Joined: Jun 23, 2005 Posts: 53 Location: Boring, Oregon

I've encountered an issue with AVG as well :

Using the free v7.5 , I became unable to connect to the Update site. Got some sort of 'proxy server' error message and couldn't find a solution. A friend told me that I needed the newest version, and possibly XP Service pack 3 ???

I've been a happy AVG customer since the first version came out years ago .
I'm told that Intel bought about 50% of the company a few years back.
Anywho, I stumbled upon an AV test organization that tests / rates the various AV products :

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Their most recent tests show the German company "Avira" as doing extremely well, and a free version is available. My only concern with the test results for Avira is the number of 'false positives' .

I'm now using Avira after running the "AVG Uninstall" procedure ; no problems with the updates thus far .The first scan showed numerous malwares from "questionable" downloads I made back in the days...
AVG failed to find these, but they could be False Positives ?
One interestng aspect of Avira is it only gives the option to "quaranteen", but the quaranteen folder can be found and deleted if need be. I needed to delete those old files anyway .

So now I'm faced with the option of manually going thru the Registry and deleting all the AVG / Grisoft entries, or taking a chance on the JV 16 tool .

Or perhaps it's time to resort to the " If it Works, don't Fix-it " technique ? Confused

Raydeo

bem · Joined: Apr 22, 2009 Posts: 2

So long as your careful not to check any entry except AVG related, JV16 isn't much of a risk. Like a sharp knife, you can cut tomatoes as thin as you like or your thumb deeper than you want.

The modern shareware versions have more safeties to prevent the average user from doing damage and consequently a little less edge on the knife. I have a more modern copy that I purchased, but rarely use it. The original is much more thorough in the registry.

The biggest caveat I can give is that you should only search for entries on AVG issues as the old version holds things in memory after you search for them and they can show up in the list for deletion. If you want to look around before you pull the trigger be sure to close and re-open the program for safety's sake.

I've used JV16 since shortly after it was born and to this day I know of no other free program as powerful. You can even clean up after the uninstall of a time or use limited software trial and turn right around and re-install it. Try getting that from any other free cleaning program. It will easily get rid of those annoying Norton/Symantec entries that never want to leave. I know from using it for the same purpose that it will take care of AVG, and almost anything else. Fear not, just pay attention...

Raydeo · Joined: Jun 23, 2005 Posts: 53 Location: Boring, Oregon

OK Bern, you talked me into it . I need to proceed with caution as Avira entries show in the registry as similar to AVG :
they both begin with "AV" ...

Flyin' withoutta Net ,
Raydeo

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1629 Location: Central FL, USA

Aaaaaaaa,,,,

Raydeo · Joined: Jun 23, 2005 Posts: 53 Location: Boring, Oregon

[
" Maybe you didn't get the memo, but AVG 7.5 was replaced by 8.0 over a year ago and 7.5 FREE stopped getting updates in Aug. 2008.
AVG 7.5 Pro, stopped getting updates in Dec 2008.
By now, every PC running Windows XP, should also be running SP3.
Just too many problems result by NOT using it. " :

Howdy Doc : Thanx fer the headsup, but I'm stuck on dialup, and my patience has not improved in my old age Wink

AVG has become quite 'bulky' and I'm in the mood for a change, so it's
Avira for now .
SP3 will have to wait 'til my next lifetime...
Check out the virus test results for more on this
if interested .
http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Cya,
Raydeo

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1629 Location: Central FL, USA

Raydeo,

I service a lot of PC's that are 'stuck' on Dial Up. No problemo!

I carry all the new programs with me on both Flash Drives and CD's.

Get a friend to download all the files you need and put them on a CD for you, so you can install them quickly.

If you were near by, I'd do it for you.

There are many help forums that won't even talk to you, till you have your computer up to date. MS is one of those locations.
It's impossible to troubleshoot a computer problem when the OS is out of date.
You MUST have SP3 and you must have the DOT NET Framework, completely up to date, because many new programs today, rely on that to run properly.

When I was 'stuck' on dial up myself, just a few short years ago, I would save my really big downloads for bed time, then I'd start the download and go to bed. By the time I got up the next morning, or maybe in the middle of the night, my download would be complete.

If you really want something, you'll find a way to get it.

Doc Cool