MB Won't Load

[jaygreg]

Did MB3 Blow Out My 2.2.2xxx Version? Here's the story:

A few days ago, I got an email/notice of the new MB 3.0 and believe it urged me to replace what I had. I did so and soon began having problems with Chrome. I diagnosed Chrome as replicating "java.exe *32". I removed Java, removed Chrome, and replaced Chrome but not Java. After that, the java replication stopped, the machine Windows 7 PC) began functioning with normal speed, but when the Malwarebytes icon was clicked, the window requesting I give permission to proceed appeared but once clicked, nothing more happened. A check of Task Manager revealed it was running  (but it's version 2.2.1.1043).

What occurred with that original notice to replace MB with 3.0 I'll never know. Whatever happened...I'm left with my lifetime copy of MB not loading automatically nor the ability to activate it manually.

I could use a little help at this point please.

[Aura]

Hi jaygreg

From what I can understand, you seem to have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.2.1.1043 and Malwarebytes 3.0 running at the same time on the system. Go in your Control Panel, in your installed programs list and see how many instances of Malwarebytes are listed. If both versions are installed, uninstall them both (make sure to deactivate your licence first) and then install 3.0.6 from the thread below.

https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/195049-malwarebytes-306-released/

 

[jaygreg]

I'm sorry, Aura. I must have mislead you. Although I THOUGHT vrsion 3.0 was downlaoded, what I discovered installed is the old version 2.xxx copy. Nothing else from Malwarebytes appears to be installed. Of course, I wouldn't know that if it's ID'd as something other than "Malxxxx"'

Instructions the same? Just remove old and DL 3.0 then install? I'm running Kaspersky Total Security as well. That 3.0 version isn't going to attempt to loas another antivirs is it (If so, I assume there will be an option to block it?)

[jaygreg]

I'm sorry, Aura. I must have mislead you. Although I THOUGHT vrsion 3.0 was downlaoded, what I discovered installed is the old version 2.xxx copy. Nothing else from Malwarebytes appears to be installed. Of course, I wouldn't know that if it's ID'd as something other than "Malxxxx"'

Instructions the same? Just remove old and DL 3.0 then install? I'm running Kaspersky Total Security as well. That 3.0 version isn't going to attempt to loas another antivirs is it (If so, I assume there will be an option to block it?)

[Aura]

If you want to install Malwarebytes 3.0.6, yes, the instructions are the same. Deactivate your licence, download Malwarebytes 3.0.6 from the thread I previously linked, install it and activate your licence. And if Kaspersky Total Security is registered in the Action Center (which it should), then Malwarebytes 3.0 won't register itself and run side-by-side with it.

[jaygreg]

I'm a little confused, Aura. Sorry. I tried finding how to deactivate my license, found a thread that gave a link, but the link was too ld and went nowhere.

  (Q1) How do I deactivate then reactivate the license?

And in regard to your statement "if Kaspersky Total Security is registered in the Action Center (which it should), then Malwarebytes 3.0 won't register itself and run side-by-side with it"... my KTS is properly registered with Kaspersky but...

  (Q2) ...I don't know what nor where the "Acton Center" is.

And, finally,...

   (Q3) ...are you saying that after I perform all the above tasks, MB 3.0 will NOT register itself and NOT automatically install or activate the anti-virus portion of MB 3.0?

[Firefox]

29 minutes ago, jaygreg said:

(Q1) How do I deactivate then reactivate the license?

If you have version 2 then Click on My Account then click on Deactivate
If you have version 3 then Click on My Account then click on Deactivate License

 

39 minutes ago, jaygreg said:

(Q2) ...I don't know what nor where the "Acton Center" is.

If your KIS is already registered in the 'Action Center' MB3 will not register itself with the action center, and should work side by side with your existing protection (KIS).  Action Center can be located in the Control Panel

 

42 minutes ago, jaygreg said:

(Q3) ...are you saying that after I perform all the above tasks, MB 3.0 will NOT register itself and NOT automatically install or activate the anti-virus portion of MB 3.0?

Answered in Q2 above.  BTW Malwarebytes is "Really" not an antivirus program per say.

[jaygreg]

I appreciate the help, Firefox, but I think we have a Catch 22 here. The instructions to " If you have version 2 then Click on My Account then click on Deactivate" I assume means I'll find access to "My Account" somewhere inside the program that's installed now. The problem is... that program doesn't display a thing when executed. Task Manager shows it loaded... but there isn't a thing on either of my two screens.

Perhaps there's a master record on some MB site that has my configuration recorded that I can adjust... like Kaspersky  does?

[Aura]

Malwarebytes doesn't have a website or web app that allows you to manage your licences, like Kaspersky and Emsisoft (for instance) does. Are you able to open Malwarebytes in Safe Mode?

[jaygreg]

Aura, no... it won't load in Safe Mode. 

I did some further checking and I suspect that download notice I mentioned that I activate - that involved version 3.0 - was probably interrupted. Checking "Start/All Programs" I find TWO folders related to MB. Here's their contents and locations:

First Folder: "Malwarebytes" Path = C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\unins000.exe. Clicking here yields a message telling me it 's been changed or moved and the shortcut won't work properly.I'm asked if I want to delete it. I think I should.

  (Q4) Right?

Second Folder: "Malwarebytes Anti-Malware" Path =  c:\Program Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. In this follder are two programs plus another file lables "Tools" in which I find "Malwarebytes Anti-malware Chameleon". The other two programs in the second folder are ""Malwarebytes Anti-Malware" and "Uninstall Malwarebytes Anti-Malware". The first of these last two mentioned is the one I think loads into RAM but shows nothing on either screen and the second program I suspect will uninstall... but I have no idea if it will display anywhere to guide me. Thus, it I do attempt to ultimately use it,..

  (Q5) ...should I do so first and it I fail, remove it through the MS Remove Programs feature?

Whatta' mess! I appreciate the help with this.

[Aura]

Quote

First Folder: "Malwarebytes" Path = C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\unins000.exe. Clicking here yields a message telling me it 's been changed or moved and the shortcut won't work properly.I'm asked if I want to delete it. I think I should.

This folder belongs to Malwarebytes 3.0, unless you somehow decided to install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.2.1 there. I think 2.2.1 still installs in C:\Program Files (x86).

Quote

  (Q5) ...should I do so first and it I fail, remove it through the MS Remove Programs feature?

If Malwarebytes doesn't open, you'll need to reinstall it. Sadly, if you cannot deactivate your licence before uninstalling it, chances are you'll encounter activation issues when you reinstall it. At this point, I would still go forward with the uninstall, and should you encounter activation issues after installing it, I would send the Help Desk an email asking for assistance (as they are the only ones that can deal with activation issues).