Blank desktop after installing AVG Anti-Virus??

[Fiery251]

I've just installed AVG 6.0 Free Edition anti-virus software.

I restarted when prompted, and Windows 98SE loaded as normal, till the desktop came up.

Its totally blank, just my wallpaper shows up. No Taskbar, no Start menu or icons, just blank?.

If I CTRL-ALT-DEL, it shows AVG and Explorer.Thats it.No systray or anything else. I tried shutting down AVG, but still nothing.

Why is this?. Is it to do with my system setup?. My system is a 40Gb HD, partitioned into 2, with 98SE on the Primary and XP Pro on the Secondary, logical partition. FYI, AVG was installed to my Primary (C:) drive into 98SE, not XP.

I havent a clue what to do next, it wont let me boot in safe mode either.

Is there a fix for this?. I wonder if it is possible to boot to XP and browse from my D: drive into my C: drive to uninstall AVG, but there is no "Uninstall" option in the C/Program files/Grisoft/AVG folder.

Please help!!!.

[sleddog]

If you installed AVG in Windows 98 you cannot uninstall it from within XP. The uninstall routine will need to access and modify the Windows 98 registry, which it can't do if your running from within XP.

Try booting to XP and renaming the AVG folder, say to something like "C/Program files/Grisoft/AVG-old".

Then try booting to Windows 98. You'll probably get a bunch of errors but at least you may get Windows 98 to load. If so, we'll figure out what to do next :)

[Fiery251]

Ok, thanx, I'll go do that right now, and post back.

Stay tuned!!!.

Fiery.

[Fiery251]

Tried right-clicking on the Grisoft folder and selecting "Rename".

It said "Cannot Rename Grisoft :Access is denied."

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Have you tried using a bootdisk (floppy) and running scanreg /restore? Then trying another download of AVG instead of the first one.

[Fiery251]

Do you mean a Windows 98 bootdisk?.

No, havent tried that.

Could you run through how to do that please?.

What prompt do I type scanreg/restore in at?. C:>?.

[sleddog]

Are you logged in XP as "Administrator" or using an account with administrato right? If so I don't understand.

You can rename it in DOS.

- Reboot again, select Windows 98;
- Press F8 during the boot (tap it a few times as Windows 98 starts to load) to get a start up menu;
- Select DOS mode;
- You should be at a C:\ prompt. If you are at C:\Windows or something else, type CD \
- Then type CD progra~1\grosoft
- Then type MOVE AVG AVG-OLD

(Are you sure that the directory is AVG and not AVG6 ?)

Then reboot again and try loading Windows 98 again.

Note: To reverse what you did above, repeat the steps up to the last, where you would type MOVE AVG-OLD AVG

[Fruss Tray Ted]

But if all else fails, yes from C:/ if C is your Win98 but put a single space just before "/".

[Fiery251]

Hmmm.......safe mode doesnt give me the option to start in Dos mode.

There are a lot of options, but not one to start in Dos.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

So safe mode from there is no good. And you can only get to Safe mode from Start> shutdown, or F5 and F8 in Windows (which isn't loading), your only recourse right now is a bootdisk.

[sleddog]

You are referring tp the menu you get after pressing F8? Maybe it's called "Command Prompt" or something like that rather than "DOS", sorry I can't remember exactly. If you're not sure, just list off the items in that menu for us.

[sleddog]

We want to load DOS that is installed on the primary partition, which is running Windows 98.

1. Reboot, select Windows 98 from the boot loader;

2. As Windows 98 starts to load, press F8 to get the Windows 98 startup menu;

3. Select "Commmand prompt" or "MS-DOS" or whatever it is called...

[Fiery251]

Ok, whats your opinions on this guys?.

I've just backed up what little I need to from C: to D: (There wasnt really that much to back up, I've only just reformatted a few days ago).

I restarted the comp, with a 98SE Boot-disk in the A: drive.

I take it, from there, I can load windows with CDROM support, then type setup at the E: prompt, and reinstall Windows 98SE from my E: Drive.

Will this be enough to reinstall Windows, and over write the problematic AVG , or would I be better off formating C: first, then reinstalling Windows?.

Only, the last time I tried this, I am not sure, but I think it told me it could not complete the format, possibly because the drive was partitioned, and I ended up having to FDISK and start completely from scratch again.

So, would simply typing "setup", and trying to reinstall 98SE work do ya reckon?.

Fiery.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

But why not try sysrestore first just to see?

Also you should format C first before reinstalling 98.

[sleddog]

Reinstalling the operating system is a last resort, something you do after you have exhausted all other possible means of fixing a problem.

Have you renamed the AVG directory?

Have you tried restore procedure suggested by Fred?

[Fiery251]

Ok. I'll try renaming the file first, before I resort to reinstalling the OS.

I need to get to a Dos prompt somehow, for C:.

I'll go look at that list it gives me in Safe Mode, and post back with what it says.

*EDIT* Couldnt I try renaming the Grisoft Folder, like Sleddog says, by booting from the Start-up floppy and typing in what you said from the C: prompt?.

[Fiery251]

Ok, this is the screen I get when I hold F8 down for "Safe mode".


WINDOWS ADVANCED OPTIONS MENU

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA mode.
Last known good config (your most recent settings that worked).
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows Domain Controllers Only).
Debugging Mode.

Start Windows Normally.
Reboot.
Return to OS Choices Menu.


I tried Safe mode with command prompt. Didnt work, still same thing, just booted up blank to desktop again.

Tried Last known good config. Same as above.

So, like I said, would booting with a floppy startup disc then going to the C: prompt and typing in what Sleddog said to change the name of the folder work?.

BTW guys, thanx for all this help, its very much appreciated.

Fiery.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

The list is:

Normal
Logged (bootlog.text)
Safe mode
Step-by-step confirmation
Command prompt only
Safe mode command prompt only

IMO, instead of renaming (from XP) and then rebooting, reinstalling a noncorrupt D/L of Grisoft, then uninstalling the renamed one,,,

I would type scanreg /restore at the C:/ prompt while in the bootdisk menu. This should bring you back to a bootabnle 98 and then D/L a good copy of the A/V and install again. It just seems a step or 2 simpler that way.

As last resort: reinstall 98 on C: after formatting that partition. (Save data to alternate media first). I've never tried tried the rename route so take my advice with a 'grain of salt' (FWIW).

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I assume the difference in lists is that your's is part of XP which I have none of.

And I doubt that you can rename a file from the bootdisk but not sure. :confused:

please try the restore...

[Fiery251]

Well folks, i've just "bitten the bullet", as they say, and totally reformatted the whole HD. FDISK'd it and started from scratch.

Now back to some sort of normality, with a freshly formatted and partitioned HD.

Suffice to say, I will most certainly NOT be installing AVG 6.0 Anti-Virus back onto my system again!!.

I dont know why it didnt like the fact that I had partitioned my drive, but I 'spose that should be borne in mind by anyone else who has a set-up similar to mine, for future reference at least.

Can I just say a GREAT BIG thank you to you both, Sleddog and Fruss Stray Ted, for helping me out here with your advice and suggestions. You guys are the salt of the earth, and another reason why whenever I have PC probs, this forum is my first port of call.

Thank you both.

Regards,

Fiery251.:)

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Well thanks.
But I was kinda wishin' you'd have tried the DOS command before reformatting though. :( Now we'll never know if it would have worked and I've never had that exact situation to deal with plus it's nearly impossible to duplicate it well enough to get it to occur again.

And I feel quite confident in saying that you should give AVG another look. I use it and {B]lots[/B] of others here do as well. And I'm sure they will have a vote of confidence in Grisoft as well.

Chances are your install just went sour for some "Window?" (:rolleyes: ) of fate, like a bad download of the intaller for the A/V. It just happens...

[david eaton]

Yes, I would agree with Fruss, AVG works well. The fact that your HD was partitioned should not have affected it. My machine has eight partitions, and never a problem with AVG in win98 or XP. I would suspect a corrupted D/L.

David

[Paul Komski]

Have used similar dual boot and triple boot and all sorts of multiple partitions on master and slave HDDs and never had any problems with AVG.

BTW, when dual booting Win9x/XP and needing to get into Win9x options you need to time the key pressing and be very quick about it or you miss your chance. Having selected Windows 98 from the dual boot option, hold one finger over the F8 key and another over the enter key; then hit enter immediately followed by by holding down the F8 key; as fast as a machine gun!!

Also - this may not be relevant - but whenever you install a program it is wise to ensure that no other programs are running at the same time.

And yet another tip. Have you considered making image(s) of your working partition(s) using DriveImage or NortonGhost. That would have allowed you to restore to a good setup regardless of what had gone wrong.

[Anonymous]

Don't bother reinstalling it. It's one of the worse AV products out there anyway.

[Budfred]

An anonymous hit and run doesn't seem all that credible for some reason....

[Anonymous]

1.) It has never passed a Virus Bulletin test in Windows.

2.) The Heuristics analysis is poor. It causes false alarms and misses too many things at the same time.

3.) The virus database is small. AVG barely catches any dailers, hoaxes, or other junk. Some might say... who cares? But a good anti-virus software should detect them at least...

These are the sort of comments I have seen why people like AVG before:

"AVG does't hog up my resources."

Neither does NOD32, Dr.Web, Sophos, Kaspersky 3.5.x.x, Kaspersky 4 Lite and Command Antivirus. And all these products detect way better than AVG.

"AVG is the best value, it's free!

No... You can pay a little more and get alot more protection (ie. NOD32, KAV). Or if you refuse to pay for antivirus software the best free one is Avast! Home. This product actually got a VB100 award and is certified in many testing organizations. (Although I would not recommend it.)

"AVG is an install and forget solution."

Not really. You still have to watch out for trojans, of which AVG has a terrible time doing. Also, the AVG tech support is sloppy.

My point is that AVG is way too overated. Sure, its great that its free, but it won't do with today's viruses. Get another product.

[cnm]

Seems to me I've seen Anonymous before. Uses different names on different boards, always same arguments, same wording as far as I can remember. His/her mission: make everyone stop using AVG.

I love AVG, misses nothing, and those tests are subject to interpretation.

Why pick on poor little AVG? Go after those big greedy macAfee and Norton monsters. I actually paid for AVG because it's doing such a good job, and it doesn't have any miserable "collect another fee every year" business plan.

[Anonymous]

I use lots of internet forums, is it a crime? No. :) I'm sure you have gone on more than one board reccomending it, no different. ;) That's not my mission at all. I'm just pointing out how bad this product is and if you want to stick with poor anti-virus protection, that's fine, it's your problem. Can't argue your point very well really can you. I don't like Mcafee or Norton either, and would never reccomend them, just like I would never reccomend AVG. Show me some reputable tests where AVG performs well. Some test results anyway:

AV-Test.Org:

AVG
Trojans=15,6%
Backdoors=62,2%
Script Viruses=53,4%
Polymorphic viruses=78,8%

Compared to Kaspresky 4:

Trojans=99,8%
Backdoors=99,9%
Script Viruses=99.7%
Polymorphic viruses=100%

Doesn't sound like AVG did as well as any other AV with trojans and scripts viruses. But then Kaspersky is famous for being good and catching trojans. What about another AV? Maybe one not so good at catching trojans and is more of a standard.

Compared to Norton Anti-Virus
Trojans=77,8%
Backdoors=76,8%
Script Viruses=91.7%
Polymorphic viruses=100%

University of Hamburg:

Win 98 Results
AntiVirus Rankings
13th place: AVG (out of 18)
AnitMalware
Didn't rank on list

Windows 2000 Results
AntiVirus Rankings
11th place: AVG (out of 18)
AnitMalware
Didn't rank on list

Virus Bulletin VB100% Rankings
19 failures
1 pass (February 2000: DOS) - has never passed on a windows based system.

Also Zoo On-Demand tests show's its poor heuristics:

Virus Detection Zoo On-Demand
91,0%

Now that 91% looks not so bad until you break it down:

File Viruses = 811 missed
Macro viruses = 140 missed
Script viruses = 55 viruses missed
Polymorphic viruses = 293 viruses missed
Other Malware (trojans, backdoors, etc) = 1627 missed

Total missed=2926

Now that is not what I call a passing grade.

Now, you could argue as the makers of NOD32 would argue that trojans are not viruses and should not be detected by an AV. On the other hand, it is obvious that trend is that almost all AV developers are trying to catch trojans.

Also false positives are way too high on AVG. Virus Bulletin as most AV experts agree feel that a false detection is bad as missing an actual virus. AVG is famous for false positives. In fact on the AVTest.Org tests it generally has about a 16% false positive rate.

The fact is these are three of the most respected AV Test Centres in the world. And on each of them AVG scores dead last or very poorly. Of them AVG fairs best on the AV-Test.Org test, and even there it at the back of the pack.

[cnm]

Sheesh, forget it. By now you must have "warned" everyone on the known internet. Your privilege, no argument.

[Anonymous]

I think ive posted on one other forum when someone was asking about AVG. How many have you "bigged it up" on? You aren't argueing simply because you have no good points to argue and you are not providing proper proof of AVG performing well in tests because it never has. :)

[cnm]

Anonymous, I simply do not care how well it does on tests, but only how well it does for me personally. Feel free to consider this absurd.

[Anonymous]

I understand what you are saying. In these matters it's known as a "false sense of security". Not absurd, I just find it strange you would rather have a piece of software with appallingly bad detection and heuristics than some of the excellent software out there today. If there's better things out there, why not use them.

[cnm]

Why not start a new thread in a more appropriate forum? http://www.pcguide.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=34
That's where you will find a whole bunch of AVG users.

[Anonymous]

Can't this one be moved over instead. :D

[Anonymous]

Done cnm, your wish is my command.

[sleddog]

Originally posted by Anonymous
Can't this one be moved over instead. :D

This thread started as a Windows application problem, entirely appropriate for this forum. But you hijacked it.

[Anonymous]

Originally posted by sleddog


This thread started as a Windows application problem, entirely appropriate for this forum. But you hijacked it.

And then the problem was resolved. The original poster said he wouldn't be installing AVG again. Then a handful of people said he should. I said he shouldn't because it's rubbish. Then someone basicly said my opinion is worthless, so I argued my point. The windows problem is already resolved so I didn't hijack anything. :)

[sleddog]

The OP said he wouldn't install AVG again because of the Windows application problem he encountered. Whether it is or isn't a good antivirus program is irrelevant in that context.

[Anonymous]

Yes. And then some people said he should and I said he shouldn't. Would I have got such hostility if I had said he should try AVG again and go on about it's brilliance? I think not.

[sleddog]

I am not being hostile. I am merely stating facts concerning the subject matter of this thread which, to repeat, isn't about AVG's qualities as an antivirus program. My apologies if that seemingly simple and clear point offended you.

[Anonymous]

OK, I take your point. I presume you aren't just pointing this out to me but also to Fruss Tray Ted and david eaton. :) I too apologise if my off topic comments along with others caused you unnecessary upeset.

[Fiery251]

Hmmm.....I thought this had all been done and dusted!!.

First of all, I dont believe the original d/l of AVG was corrupt. It wasnt a download, it was a coverdisk from a recent PC mag, that I've installed AVG from on many occasions before. Maybe an unluck corrupt install could have been the problem. I dunno.

I've used AVG for quite a while, in conjunction with other third party security apps, like Spybot search and destroy and Trojan Killer, and I've (touch wood), never had a virus or a trojan yet.

I reformatted my HD, and FDISK'ed it, so I'm back to running 98SE on one partition, but I intend to get another HD shortly, to install XP only onto. When this happens, I will reinstall AVG,onto the new drive, as it has been fine up till now with this , admitedly, small but frustrating problem. I have , at the moment, got AVG installed with no problems on my existing drive.

I will continue to use AVG, in, as I've said, conjunction with other "nasties" detecting software and apps.

Anyhows, thanx to all those who helped out with advice originally, and Anonymous, I'm not bothered that you jumped into the thread. Everyone is entitled to their opinions after all.

Thanx again folks.

Regards,

Fiery251.