Resolved TPF Problems with Avast

I have been using Avast and TPF forever. Lately AVast is way too invasive on my computer so I tried to uninstall. That did not go too well as my alternative Avira would not install the Toolbar required for Avira to protect the web.

Went back to Avast, but now it is blocking files I believe I need for TPF. I uninstalled and re-installed TPF v 2.11.15. At first boot up it works but then I get the following errors.

Unable to initialize FwDrv:2 (this file is in the Avast Virus chest and I can't restore it because it is greyed out.

Cannot find fw.exe so that now it does not startup.

Can anyone help me get this fixed?

I would like to know if there is any other good free virus programs besides these two that I could try that would not take over my computer. Avast now wants to tell me when to update my programs. UGH!

 

I usually go for system restore in cases like yours.

Have you tried it?

Sometimes, the sandbox gets on my nerves, but I have the software update feature set to notify instead of automatic update. Avast software updater is a little slow in my opinion. File Hippo alerts me to updates days in advance compared to Avast.

You need some kind of update tool to protect your PC even if it is only Avast.

If I were to recommend another antivirus program, it would probably be Microsoft Security Essentials.

 

Thank you so much for your reply, James.

The only way I was able to get Avast again was by restoring an image from September. So, yes, I did a restore. With that restore I lost TPF functionality so I uninstalled and installed it once again. After that I do not know what to do.

Avast is working on my computer but that is not saying I like it. I use Secunia PSI for my update verification and it works quite well. I might look into MS Security Essentials later on but right now my problem is getting TPF to install without Avast blocking it. I even tried to install after permanently disabling the shields. Is there any other way to stop Avast while I try to reinstall TPF?

Any help will be appreciated.

 

I Did It! Used Start Up Cop to forbid Avast to start up upon reboot which was necessary after the TPF install. I forgot all about this little program. This allowed TPF to get installed without Avast blocking any of its files. Then I went back in and changed the setting for Avast in Start up Cop. Whew!!!
I hope this will last!

Now I will look into what happening with Avira and the toolbar install on their forums and I will check MS Security Essentials as well. I hate it when any program tries to add more and more things to what once was a wonderful virus program (both Avast and Avira).

Anyone else not happy with either of these two programs?

 

Ann, you can disable Avast's software updater via Settings > Tools > Customize. Uncheck the box at the top to disable.

I'm using the very latest version of Avast.

Congratulations on your reinstall of TPF! By the way, what exactly is that program?

 

THANKS, James. I am so happy to stop the Avast Updater.

TPF is a firewall. Someone showed me how to use it a long time ago and I love it. Kerio took it over, but I do not know if either one is available now. It is small and I like the way it tells me if something is trying to get in or out.

 

You're welcome, Ann.

Is your firewall similar to TinyWall...

http://tinywall.pados.hu/

I'm getting the two confused at the moment. I tried TinyWall, but I did not like it in the end.


I see you are staying with Avast for now?

 

James - I am looking into MSE in case Avast is hogging my resources.

BTW, TPF is Tiny Personal Firewall. Sorry I did not post the full name of the program.

 

Thanks for the update.

Avast 9x series has been somewhat troublesome for some folks. I don't seem to be having any issues with so far on XP or Win 7.

If I weren't using Avast, my second choice would be Security Essentials.

 

I got rid of Avast and installed MSE. My computer has gone from standing still to normal. Thanks for the suggestion.....I am a happy camper

 

Thanks for the info, Ann.

Just the other day, Avast was blocking anything related to Google on my Win 7 PC. It was so bad, I could not even visit Windows BBS without disabling the antivirus program. By the next morning, the problem had somehow fixed itself. I hope they get the bugs worked out of the 9x version soon.