Trouble again with AVG Free 2015

[PEV]

Hi all

Can I refer you to the below which I posted about two/three weeks ago and had not one reply!

[h=2]AVG Free 2015 freezing problem![/h]

I run windows 8.1 and my machine is HP Envy 23 all in one desk top PC

I just tried to check any activity noted through my AVG interface but it would not respond and was the same it would not open when I tried to bring it up through 'programmes'

Eventually I saw a 'frozen interface showing my last updates were thee days ago despite it's set up for automatic updates.

I tried turning PC on and off but then my deaktop just went misty white (I could still see my desktop icons but NOTHING reaponded) I wonder is the misty white screen 'safe mode?'

Anyway I then tried pushing the windows key plus x key and then ctrl+ alt + delete which got me out of the frozen screen and I finally got back to normal including AVG updating itself. Has an body got any idea what happened and how to prevent a reccurance as I haven't got a clue how/why this happened!

Advice help please

Ray

 

This has happened again today and I have tried to Remove AVG and re install as I wonder if it has become corrupted but once the uninstall process starts it stops and just freezes so I have to turn off my machine to be able to get rid of the frozen interface.

If I try to install a new version of AVG Free the same thing happens.

Can anyone help please as I am getting desperate and fear I have no effective AV at the moment!!!

Worryingly I cant install any other AV should I choose as it's seems impossible to remove AVG from my machine.

HELP PLEASE

Ray

[RandyL]

Hi Ray;

I'm sorry nobody responded before. Stuff happens.

 

I don't use AVG and I'm not a security expert. I don't even know if this is AVG related or some other issue.

 

One of our security experts might know something as an infection may be causing AVG to act up.

 

I do know AVG has uninstaller tools but if it is not just a corrupt AVG issue that will not solve your problem and may leave you vulnerable.

 

Please be patient. I'll ask the security team.

[PEV]

Thanks for your quick answer Randy much appreciated at a worrying time.

The main problem ATM is that after as this is the 2nd time this has happeened I would gladly change to another AV but as I cant uninstall AVG I fully expect there will be a clash with the new AV such as Microsoft Essentials if I install it.

Anyway looking forward to hearing if anyone has a fix.

Ray

[RandyL]

No problem Ray.

 

Like I said I can link you to the AVG uninstaller tools but that may not be wise at this time so please wait for now.

 

I will be following this thread too Ray.

[Starbuck]

Hi Ray,

 

I would doubt that this s malware related.

I stopped recommending AVG awhile back because of constant issues.

If you google.... avg issues with windows 8

you'll find loads of hits on issues.

 

I'd recommend running the AVG Removal Tool to take care of the uninstal problem.

http://www.avg.com/gb-en/utilities

 

just pick the version that relates to your system.... 32bit or 64bit.

 

Once removed, you'll be able to install another Anti Virus program.

[PEV]

Thanks very much.

Would you recommend Microsoft Security essentials AV or?

Ray

[PEV]

Update for Starbuck and anyone else out there!

I successfully removed AVG Free 2015 with the removal tool and attempted to install Microsoft Essentials direct from the official Microsoft download centre which seemed pretty easy.

I chose the '64' option not the '86' one, however the download hasn't seemed to work as I have had no notification that the download happened and I can't see Microsoft Security Options listed in my programmes menu. This is getting scary as apparently I have no AV cover ATM! Oh and by the way I have found and activated Windows Defender but apparently it is only a Malware/Spyware programme.

Help! please

Any other good AV's I could use if I continue to fail installing MSE (assuming it is not installed)

Ray

[PEV]

Hi again Starbuck I have just found this http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download

 

which says MSE doesn't work on Windows 8 or 8.1but Windows Defender is it's replacement do you concur?

Ray

[RandyL]

You are right Ray. Windows Defender which comes preinstalled on Windows 8 or 8.1 is a full AV and antispyware program. I am using Windows Defender and MSE and have no issues. The security guys may suggest a couple others though.

[Plastic Nev]

i know Starbuck will advise accordingly, however MSE was first brought out with or some time after the release of Vista, strangely enough Windows defender also at the same time was a very basic and poor thing and MSE was recommended to be installed with the original Defender turned off or disabled.

That held true when Windows 7 was released and I run MSE on my Windows 7 machine.

When Microsoft then released Windows 8, Windows defender was then a combination of both the original defender and MSE and given the old name Defender again, it is now a full antivirus and anti malware package for Windows 8 and 8.1, no doubt it will be the same for Windows 10 when that is finally released.

That version of defender will not install on the earlier operating systems though, hence why those of us running Windows 7 or Vista still use MSE.

 

Hope that clears any misunderstanding Ray.

 

Oh and for what it's worth I also stopped recommending AVG quite a long time ago due to the many issues that users were having as far back as 2006 or 2007.

 

Nev.

[Starbuck]

Hi Ray,

 

Yes as has already been pointed out, you can't install MSSE on Win8.1

 

When Microsoft then released Windows 8, Windows defender was then a combination of both the original defender and MSE and given the old name Defender again, it is now a full antivirus and anti malware package for Windows 8 and 8.1, no doubt it will be the same for Windows 10 when that is finally released.

That's right.

Although I run Eset Nod32 on my Win8.1 systems and Emsisoft AntiMalware on my Win7 systems..... I do run the Win Defender on the Win10 system.

The only reason for this is that I didn't want to install a paid for AV when Win10 is still a developer version at the moment.

As soon as it's released as a full public OS, I'll add another AV.

 

Win Defender will only turn back on when all other AV's have been removed.

So running the AVG removal tool should have done the trick.

 

If you click Start >>> type Windows Defender into the search box.

This will open the Win Defender app.

 

Click Tools, and then click Options.

 

Click Administrator, select the Use this program check box, and then click Save

 

The interface will look like MSSE..... so if you are familliar with this you can change the settings etc to update and run auto scans just as you would with MSSE.

 

If you can stretch to a paid for AV, I'd recommend either Eset Nod32

or:

Emsisoft AntiMalware

Either will give you very good protection. ( both are just under 30.00)

 

If you want to stick with a free AV but don't want to use Win Defender, then Bitdefender Free is worth a try.

[PEV]

Hi Pete and anyone else who can advise.

I have activated Defender AV but I read that although its a good basic AV is not a lot of good with email security?

I see Avast has rating of best free AV.

Question is can I run Avast alongside Defender or should I turn Defender off and rely on Avast to cover all aspects of AV software?

Ray

[KenB]

Hi Ray

 

Pete is best to advise on this one ....... but having 2 AVs running is not advisable as they can conflict.

So if you are putting Avast on - Defender will need to be off.

[Starbuck]

Hi Ray,

 

As Ken stated: having 2 AVs running is not advisable as they can conflict.

If fact Windows Defender will automatically be turned off if you install another AV poroduct.

 

but I read that although its a good basic AV is not a lot of good with email security?

You have to realise that Win Defender is just a baseline AV.

It's not the best and it's not the worst.

It scores average in detection, but seems to produce very few false positives.

 

You have to work out what you want from an AV and then look into them all to see what fits your needs.

 

I see Avast has rating of best free AV.

Some sites say that, some say that Avira is best.

Some even say that Comodo Internet Security ( which is a free suite) is the best........

It depends on what tests are run and who is testing them!

[PEV]

Pete and others interested

i was incorrect/mistaken in saying Avast has best rating. Believe or not AVG Free 2015 is number one!!! BUT I AINT GOING BACK THERE!

The same reviewer holds Bit Defender as second best all round free AV anyone use or know of it?

Ray

[Starbuck]

The same reviewer holds Bit Defender as second best all round free AV anyone use or know of it?

I used to use Bit Defender free before changing over to paid for AV's.

Never had a problem with it and it must be the easiest AV to set up.

You only need to give your email address when activating it.... this then sets a page for your preferences on the Bit Defender server.

That was why I gave a link for it in Post #11.

[Plastic Nev]

I have the free Bit Defender on my laptop, it seems OK, runs scans automatically at set intervals and doesn't bother me with nag screens, so it does OK for me.

 

Nev.

[PEV]

Thanks Nev. One to consider then.

Ray