Resolved Ad Aware

I am running Windows 7 with a 64 bit operating system and I cannot open Ad Aware. When I try to open it I get a message that says "System Error: 1814 has occurred. Description could not login to the service." I cannot uninstall Ad Aware or reinstall a new copy on top of it. I have even tried deleting it from the program files with no luck. I have Googled it and the fix I found does not work. They tell me to delete a file called "Settings.AAW" which I’m supposed to be able to find by going into C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007.
I do not have Documents and Settings or All Users. From C I go into Users (not all users) then Default and by enabling show hidden files the closest I come to Application Data is AppData and I cannot find Lavasoft in AppData. I think the version of AdAware I’m running is 2007 or 2008 but I’m not sure. It also might possibly be the latest version.
Does anyone know how I can fix this? Or perhaps it would be easier to simply use another anti spyware program, can you please tell me what another good free one is?

 

I like many others quit using AdAware a couple of 3 years ago. The only thing I use now is Spybot Search and Destroy and SpywareBlaster which can be got from www.majorgeeks.com for FREE. On the left side, look under AntiSpyware and click on it. They will be on the next page. I use the Windows Firewall, and Windows Security Esentials and have a router which has a built in firewall also. I also run CCleaner about once a month. Have been clean useing these for years. Have 3 PC's set up that the grandkids use when they visit and have the same stuff on them. Lord only knows where they go when they get here. I don't check unless one of the PC's is in trouble and then I get on them about it. Haven't had a problem with any of my 5 PC's in years.

 

Spybot Search and Destroy and SpywareBlaster

Thank you MrBill. I only want to use one of them to check for spyware once a month when I pay my credit cards. Which one do you feel is better? And I should say I felt comfortable running only AdAware by itself. I do use Windows Defender for realtime, but I back it up with a monthly search.

 

SpywareBlaster will watch for changes and stop them Spybot will let you check.
I use a little program called KeyScrambler. It changes every key stroke randomly when you are on the net. No to letters are alike. If you type say HELLO, you would get something like this, zobrt and then the next time you will get something completely different. It is also FREE.

http://www.qfxsoftware.com/download.htm

 

This is terrific

Thank you, this is really terrific. If I use KeyScrambler is it necessary to use spyware? And I assume KeyScrambler changes numbers also, but I want to confirm, am I correct?

 

Yes it does. You also need some type of Spyware on your PC. What I posted earlier is all I use and knock on wood, I have never had anything that gave me a problem.

I forgot that I also use MalwareBytes. I have used that and Spybot to get rid of some pretty nasty stuff on other peoples computers.

 

AdAware

I resolved it by downloading McAfee which is provided free by my Internet service provider Cox Communications

 

McAfee and Ad Aware are 2 different programs. Do different things.

 

AdAware

Thank you, I thought they were both spyware.