Friday, December 3rd 2010

AVG Update Cripples Windows

Yesterday an update to the popular antivirus suite AVG left many users computers unable to boot. After rebooting, as requested by the AVG updater, Windows crashes while trying to load certain AVG drivers. The error message reads "STOP: c0000135 The program cannot start because %hs is missing from your computer". Since the culprit drivers load even during safe mode there is no way to boot Windows. AVG recommends using the AVG rescue disc located here. After booting from the disc users should use midnight commander to rename their AVG folder, usually located at C:\program files (x86)\AVG, to any other name and then booting windows normally. However, any bootable flash drive or CD with an OS that can access NTFS file systems can be used to accomplish this task. I used a bootable Ubuntu flash drive.
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79 Comments on AVG Update Cripples Windows

#1
Kreij
Senior Monkey Moderator
More discussion in this thread in the General Software section.

Link posted to fix instruction in this thread too.
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#2
nick_1992
You'd think they would have tested this stuff before sending it out... Sounds similar to the EVE-O problem a while ago where the patch killed your windows.
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#3
Kreij
Senior Monkey Moderator
Didn't mean to step on your news post, Pol, but this kind of thing can suck for people.
Glad you dumped into the news too. :toast:
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#4
LAN_deRf_HA
Any particular reason to use avg over mse? The whole false positive thing a is a bit excessive with avg.
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#6
Dos101
The updated prevented one of our servers at work from booting (ya I know, AVG on a server). All the employees were sure pissed when they couldn't run a program that connected to that server :shadedshu
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#7
Polaris573
Senior Moderator
KreijDidn't mean to step on your news post, Pol, but this kind of thing can suck for people.
Glad you dumped into the news too. :toast:
No worries. We can discuss it in any thread. I just wanted an announcement on the front page for people that might still be searching for an answer.
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#8
DaveK
Makes me glad I don't use AVG, stopped using it a long time ago because it felt bloated.
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#9
lism
Making your OS completely cripple is just a bad thing.
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#10
micropage7
avg i guess is one of best free antivirus, but i dunno later it has many false alarms, when i use it i marked my c: as exception than i got many warning based on false alarm, but its still nice anti virus if you skip that
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#11
Lionheart
Glad I don't use that program anymore...... Dumbarse's
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#12
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
and this is another good reason for why i tell people NOT to use the free AV's. MSE is the only exception, since at least its been tested decently.
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#13
human_error
well I guess you can't infect a dead OS install with viruses, so really AVG is making your OS immune to infection :p
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#14
blu3flannel
I switched from AVG to Avast! and couldn't be happier. Doesn't give false alarms all the time and doesn't ask me to upgrade every 3 days.
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#15
Radi_SVK
DaveKMakes me glad I don't use AVG, stopped using it a long time ago because it felt bloated.
Same here,I've stopped using AVG a while ago.I think that if such a program like Antivirus causes your OS to break,its unacceptable.
Musselsand this is another good reason for why i tell people NOT to use the free AV's. MSE is the only exception, since at least its been tested decently.
Couldnt agree more.I've tried probably all free AVs in past 10 years,but only last year I was willing to pay for 1 years license,bit skeptical,because the forums are full of peoples comments that you will be fine with a free AV..now my license is soon to be expired,but without doubts I will renew..Im on Avast! PRO and its amazing.My computers security is rock solid,nothing unwanted will get in,its such a good feeling.Im also using paid version of Malwarebytes Antimalware and its fantastic too.
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#16
gunsmoke
I used it for 6 years not any more i Find AVG is a power hog on boot up
And makes web pages lag when its scaning internet trathic.
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#17
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
stopped using AVG years ago. has been going downhill for a long time now.
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#18
gunsmoke
Easy Rhinostopped using AVG years ago. has been going downhill for a long time now.
After AGV 9 was all downhill from that point
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#19
LittleLizard
I used AVG till 8 and it was awesome but now, avast! has the responsabilty for safety in my pc
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#20
MxPhenom 216
ASIC Engineer
Just use MSE for your virus protection!
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#21
Vancha
Switched to Avast! around a couple of months ago and it's been incredibly well behaved. I suggest it to anyone looking for a new anti-virus.
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#22
..'Ant'..
Well I'm happy to be using Microsoft Security Essentials and have no problems.
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#23
Lionheart
Yep, I also switched to Avast awhile back from AVG. AVG was good several yrs ago for me but like others said, bogged down the system :(

Plus I love dat update alert lady voice that Avast has "Virus Database Has Been Update" :)
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#24
gunsmoke
CHAOS_KILLAYep, I also switched to Avast awhile back from AVG. AVG was good several yrs ago for me but like others said, bogged down the system :(

Plus I love dat update alert lady voice that Avast has "Virus Database Has Been Update" :)
When i herd that voice i had my sound on full on boot up,
It made me jump out my skin.
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#25
Bundy
It's been a long time since a virus caused this much trouble:D
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