olhardhead Posted April 8, 2017 ID:1115963 Share Posted April 8, 2017 I've used Avast anti virus pro for several years with great success. Yesterday I noticed that my computer was very slow and 90-100% of CPU was being used mostly by Avast. After calling customer "service" I was told that it would cost $199 to solve the problem on my machine because they use a "special tool" to remove programs and correct errors caused by malware and such.When I balked at the price for this "service" the price dropped to $150 then to $79 then to $49. I didn't go for that and after investigating on my machine further it seems that the only problem is with the Avast program itself. It's using CPU up with installers and other things. Now..MY Problem: I can't find any way to Uninstall Avast from my machine and have spent several hours trying. I called customer service again and was told a fee would be charged to uninstall it from my machine. Therefore the title for my post... I've tried control panel, settings and several uninstall programs to rid my self of this resource monster.... Anyone know a way to get rid of this thing? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinf80 Posted April 8, 2017 ID:1115976 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Hello olhardhead and welcome to Malwarebytes, Have you tried the Uninstall Utility supplied by Avast...? use the following link to download and run that tool.... https://www.avast.com/en-us/uninstall-utility Does that help....? Thank you, Kevin... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 9, 2017 Author ID:1115997 Share Posted April 9, 2017 yes, I tried that one this morning...about 7 or 8 hours ago...it will...continuously load but never finish thus causing ANOTHER process to run and eat up CPU space. I'm trying Prefect Uninstaller now...donno, this is really dug in to the system.... http://www.perfectuninstaller.com/download.php still think this is a scam, thanks for the reply, ol' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 9, 2017 Author ID:1116011 Share Posted April 9, 2017 this thing will not go away...gonna try system restore next....I've tried 5 different uninstallers so far none will get rid of it... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinf80 Posted April 9, 2017 ID:1116041 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Thanks for the update, run the following diagnostic scan to show overview of your system, we can then find entries related to AVAST and move with an FRST fix... Download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop. Alternative download option: http://www.techspot.com/downloads/6731-farbar-recovery-scan-tool.htmlNote: You need to run the version compatible with your system (32 bit or 64 bit). If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them. Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version. If your security alerts to FRST either, accept the alert or turn your security off to allow FRST to run. It is not malicious or infected in any way... Be aware FRST must be run from an account with Administrator status... Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.(Windows 8/10 users will be prompted about Windows SmartScreen protection - click More information and Run.) Make sure Addition.txt is checkmarked under "Optional scans" Press Scan button to run the tool.... It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please copy and paste it to your reply. The tool will also make a log named (Addition.txt) Please attach that log to your reply. Thank you, Kevin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 9, 2017 Author ID:1116064 Share Posted April 9, 2017 thanks, Kevin. I'm running the tool now. I noticed almost all of the .dll files in the Programs/Avast software/ avast file were created on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, 4:13:35 AM Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 9, 2017 Author ID:1116065 Share Posted April 9, 2017 ok, here ya go.... I tried a restore last nite which didn't work but this morning the Avast installer (32bit) which was running wild yesterday is quiet ....CPU usage is low (normal) FRST.txt Addition.txt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 9, 2017 Author ID:1116087 Share Posted April 9, 2017 (edited) tried to uninstall Avast from apps & features in settings just now and Avast Installer (32bit) is running wild again at 40-50% of CPU computer slowed down again...has been fine until now. Windows explorer (2) and Avast Installer usage at 80-100% of CPU. Edited April 9, 2017 by olhardhead Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinf80 Posted April 9, 2017 ID:1116131 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Thanks for the logs and the update, continue with the following: Download attached fixlist.txt file (end of reply) and save it to the Desktop, or the folder you saved FRST into. "Do not open that file" NOTE. It's important that both FRST and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work. Open FRST and press the Fix button just once and wait. The tool will make a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt) or the folder it was ran from. Please post it to your reply. Post that log, also tell me if there are any remaining issues or concerns.... Thank you, Kevin... fixlist.txt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 10, 2017 Author ID:1116171 Share Posted April 10, 2017 ok, ran program and it generated log below. after reboot I tried to open avast through shortcut on desktop. It crashed, froze...whatever... and is eating CPU up 80-100%. Avast control panel will not open and Avast Antivirus (32bit) is the culprit now. Fixlog.txt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 10, 2017 Author ID:1116173 Share Posted April 10, 2017 (edited) The Avast control panel will not close and a right click on the icon in toolbar will allow a click to "Avast not Responding" box to close program which will not work. I glanced at the log and noticed that some (many) avast files were protected somehow...didn't notice but they are probably the .dll files i mentioned in earlier post that were created on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, 4:13:35 AM. If these files were part of an update wouldn't they show that they were "modified" not created on that date and time? Please understand I'm not questioning your expertise just trying to learn a little....While I'm certainly not a IT guy I have worked with these machines for about 20years..prollly know just enough to make me dangerous...my machine is running at 97% of CPU after trying to open avast Edited April 10, 2017 by olhardhead Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 10, 2017 Author ID:1116174 Share Posted April 10, 2017 by the way is Highjackthis still being used? Just curious.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinf80 Posted April 10, 2017 ID:1116238 Share Posted April 10, 2017 HJT is not compatible with 64 bit systems and no longer supported by original developer. Continue with the following: Download attached fixlist.txt file (end of reply) and save it to the Desktop, or the folder you saved FRST into. "Do not open that file" NOTE. It's important that both FRST and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work. Boot your system to Safe Mode - https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2304-boot-into-safe-mode-windows-10-a.html From Safe mode Open FRST and press the Fix button just once and wait. The tool will make a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt) or the folder it was ran from. Please post it to your reply. Post that log in your next reply... Thank you, Kevin... fixlist.txt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 10, 2017 Author ID:1116299 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Ran FRST in safe mode as instructed it generated text file in seconds...rebooted...got to sign in page could not type password in from keyboard so turned onscreen keyboard on and signed on...desktop came up after a delay no avast short cut showing...unable to do anything else..let it run for about 45min got home to black screen... had to turn off with switch..... came back to sign in screen again ...I am unable to log in using keyboard or get onscreen keyboard to come up...unable to get into my machine...turned it off with switch and unplugged it for 1 hr....plugged it back in and cannot log in..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 10, 2017 Author ID:1116301 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Sending this on tablet Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinf80 Posted April 10, 2017 ID:1116324 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool from here:http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-recovery-scan-tool/ save it to a USB flash drive. Ensure to get the correct version for your system, 32 bit or 64 bit... Next, Boot your PC and let it go as far as it can, Now hold down the Shift key and re- boot your PC. Windows should open to the "Choose an Option" window.... From that window select "Troubleshoot" from the next window select "Advance Options" from there select "Startup Repair" If that fails go through that process again, this time select "System Restore" from there follow the prompts to run System Restore to any date prior to this issue happening.. If those all fail go through same process again, from Troubleshoot select "Command Prompt" ensure to plug the flash drive into an open USB port... Continue with the following: In the command window type in notepad and press Enter. The notepad opens. Under File menu select Open. Select "Computer" and find your flash drive letter and close the notepad. In the command window type e:\frst64 or e:\frst depending on your version. Press Enter Note: Replace letter e with the drive letter of your flash drive. The tool will start to run. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer. Press Scan button. It will make a log (FRST.txt) on the flash drive. Please copy and paste it to your reply. Thanks, Kevin... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 10, 2017 Author ID:1116337 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Gonna try your first steps have no way to save to flash drive from ythis tablet Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinf80 Posted April 10, 2017 ID:1116339 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Any friendly neighbors to help out with the download... Not sure why the issue has happened, all entries removed belonged to Avast.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 10, 2017 Author ID:1116344 Share Posted April 10, 2017 No one home now and machine is still trying to boot up again after trying shift key. I think this is a scam by avast. I'm held hostage by their program. Customer service was Very scetchy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 10, 2017 Author ID:1116347 Share Posted April 10, 2017 It's been over 10min and is frozen before login page. No way to restart but power switch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinf80 Posted April 10, 2017 ID:1116348 Share Posted April 10, 2017 More options to boot to Advanced Start up at the following link: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-boot-advanced-startup-options-windows-10-a.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 10, 2017 Author ID:1116361 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Got it restarted. ...it says startup repair couldn't repair your pc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinf80 Posted April 10, 2017 ID:1116362 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Can you use System Restore..? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhardhead Posted April 10, 2017 Author ID:1116363 Share Posted April 10, 2017 I'm at chose an option page gonna see if I can get some way to put the FRST on a flash drive Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinf80 Posted April 10, 2017 ID:1116364 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Thanks for the update... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts