"AVG Internet Security 2011" Dec. 1st Update is PROBLEMATIC!

[Aonghus]

Ooops, I think I may have figured out this problem. I was trying to run "setup.exe' before I had unzipped the folder. I was just viewing it's contents apparently. My bad, it's late sorry.

I am now running the repair USB on the ASUS laptop as I type...we'll see if it fixes the issue.

 

[whs]

Another AVG disaster

As already so often in the past, AVG seems to have more trouble:
AVG Free - FAQ - System crash after the recent AVG 2011 update 3292 (BSOD)

 

[yowanvista]

Another reason to use MSE

 

[G1LLY]

Another reason to use MSE

+1

AVG really need to test their updates a lot more thoroughly in future.

 

[chev65]

As already so often in the past, AVG seems to have more trouble:
AVG Free - FAQ - System crash after the recent AVG 2011 update 3292 (BSOD)

Holy cow what a mess, I can't say that I'm surprized in the least. Yesterday a problem with McAfee today it's AVG, when will it end?

 

[JMH]

In a matter of fairness -


AVG is NOT unique & the only one who has had an update problem..
Not every 64-bit system running AVG "suffered a glitch."

The sky hasn't fallen in!

The hysteria is somewhat exaggerated.
Bad news makes for good news in the media... Today AVG - tomorrow ? or ?.....

[I do run AVG on 3 laptops with Vista 64-bit & Win 7 64-bit- all updated / no problems]

 

[whs]

JMH, you are lucky. We were running 6 triple booted systems in our computer club with AVG. They got so heavily infected (from members bringing in USB sticks) that it took 3 people 1 week to get them back in shape. We are now using MSE. I opted for NIS2011 but they did not want to spend the money.

 

[mikedl]

As already so often in the past, AVG seems to have more trouble:
AVG Free - FAQ - System crash after the recent AVG 2011 update 3292 (BSOD)

Hmmm, seems I saw this posted, and discussed, two days ago.

In a matter of fairness -


AVG is NOT unique & the only one who has had an update problem..
Not every 64-bit system running AVG "suffered a glitch."

The sky hasn't fallen in!

The hysteria is somewhat exaggerated.
Bad news makes for good news in the media... Today AVG - tomorrow ? or ?.....

[I do run AVG on 3 laptops with Vista 64-bit & Win 7 64-bit- all updated / no problems]

Well said, JMH, agreed.

 

[wilywombat]

AVG 2011 free update pulled

For those of you still using AVG Free, you might like to investigate:-
AVG Free 2011 update pulled, crashing Windows 7 systems - TechSpot News
OR you could just dump AVG and use MSE instead!!

 

[Borg 386]

Good point JMH....mistakes happen. What's the next AV that's going to have a fail? Time will tell. Unfortunately...it will happen again

 

[mikedl]

Theres also this. Do you need any further reasons not to use AVG.

I'll stick with AVG Internet Security 2011. It's still the best for me, and more than adequate, IMO.

Support for system crash after the recent AVG 2011 update 3292 (BSOD)

If you have encountered the abovementioned issue with the latest AVG update and FAQ 4079 didn’t help you, please contact our English support team by dialing the following numbers:

• Home and Free products: 24/7 support +1-877-367-9933
• Business products: 9:30am-6:30pm EST +1-828-459-5436 or skype: avg-nc

You can also email us at [email protected].
AVG is proud of its history and we are committed to you, our user base. We will personally lead AVG in working to resolve your issues, address any concerns, and regain your trust. AVG sincerely regrets any inconvenience this issue has caused and we are ready to help you resolve this as quickly as possible.

This is, indeed, a serious issue and AVG is certainly not taking it lightly.

 

[yowanvista]

The last time i used AVG it was on Vista with AVG free 8.x
It caused several BSODs and failed to detect Trojans . Hopefully I use KIS2011 now

 

[mikedl]

The last time i used AVG it was on Vista with AVG free 8.x
It caused several BSODs and failed to detect Trojans . Hopefully I use KIS2011 now

I've been using it since my early days of XP. Never an issue.

Remember, I'm the one that broke this story on the boards and presented the initial heads-up. I still have confidence in AVG.

 

[whs]

This discussion shows again that you should use what works best for you. But it is normal that you refrain from using a product after you had a bad experience. Fortunately we have choices and there is a hat that fits every head.

 

[Thorsen]

AVG update Broke lots of computers Dec 1st

I know its been a few days, but I don't think it has been posted in the news section.

Anyone helping someone with BSOD's might want to take this into account:
AVG antivirus users in reboot chaos after bad update

Antivirus company AVG has had to issue roll-back instructions to users of the free edition of its AVG 2011 program after 64-bit versions of Windows fail to reboot correctly after a mandatory update.
With virus database 271.1.1/3292 applied on Windows 7, Vista and XP, an unknown number of users received the unhelpful message: 'STOP: c0000135 The program can't start because %hs is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.'

"This issue is limited to 64-bit systems only, currently it looks like not all 64-bit systems though, we are investigating. The updated has been pulled from our servers and if you have not been affected by this issue, it is OK to update normally,"

People might have been affected by it and not know what is going on with their system. Just FYI! Good luck everybody....



A tread was started by Mikedl in the Security Section: http://www.sevenforums.com/system-s...security-2011-dec-1st-update-problematic.html

But I felt it might be good to get the news out more so that more people know this had happened.

 

[Dave76]

AVG Update Cripples Users' Windows 7, Vista Computers

Screw-up is another embarrassing setback for free AV vendor


There's an old saying that if something sounds too good to be true, then maybe it is. Now, that's not always true. Take Microsoft's free antivirus/anti-malware protection Microsoft Security Essentials works well and is free to Windows users. However, that old adage might hold a bit more true in the case of AVG, a top free antivirus software maker.

AVG, which claims to have 110 million customers in 170 countries, on Wednesday rolled out a badly botched update.

The update rendered both Windows 7 and Windows Vista inoperable. When booting users are greeted by the infamous "Blue Screen of Death" (BSoD), and the system reboots in an endless cycle of bad computer karma. The mess is apparently caused by an AVG .sys file that is loaded at boot time -- \Windows\System 32\DRIVERS\AVGIDSEH.SYS.

Booting into Safe Mode does not work, as this driver is still loaded, under AVG's default setup.

Users are infuriated. One writes on the companies support forums:

You are not alone!!! This happened to my computer also. I was able to restore it to a restore point, but I will not update. I always supported AVG and recommended it highly. Not any more. It's the same as installing a virus instead of removing one!!! Removing it now - there are other free anti-virus software out there - they just won my support!!!
​

Another adds:

Just adding my voice to the chorus of those whose computers are unable to reboot after this update. Thank god for Windows 7 auto-backups. I've already sent an email out to my parents who use AVG not to update. I'm about 20 minutes from just sC**pping AVG for good over this. I know, it's the free version so they aren't really losing anything, but this is the sort of computer-destroying problem that you can't even give away.
​

Those affected shouldn't despair, though. There are a couple of ways to fix this problem.

One way to save your Windows install if you received the update is to have a Windows install DVD and boot in recovery mode, rolling the system back to a restore point. If you don't have a Windows install disk or weren't saving restore points you're out of luck.

Another, perhaps better method is to use an emergency USB boot-fix that AVG rolled out. Full details can be found here, but basically you need to copy the file to your USB stick and then enter the BIOS and tell your computer to boot to the stick.

AVG suggests then repairing your installation of AVG software with the fixed version that they've uploaded, as detailed here. Or, better yet, you might want to uninstall AVG and go for a more reliable solution, given the company's shoddy track record.

After all, this isn't the first major screwup for the company. In late 2008, the vendor rolled out an update that accidentally removed a critical Windows component which it mistook for a piece of malware. Honestly, these kind of errors simply aren't acceptable for a security firm with 110 million users, many of which are paying customers.

Then again, the allure of free may keep some coming back to AVG.

Source....

 

[noobvious]

Thanks for the share, Dave.....glad I'm not using AVG!

 

[DustSailor]

The last time i used AVG it was on Vista with AVG free 8.x
It caused several BSODs and failed to detect Trojans . Hopefully I use KIS2011 now

I've been using it since my early days of XP. Never an issue.

Remember, I'm the one that broke this story on the boards and presented the initial heads-up. I still have confidence in AVG.

Familiar is not always better. If someone insists on using an antivirus, through my own experience I heavily recommend Microsoft Security Essentials. Fastest, most secure, user friendly, understandable, and still free antivirus I have ever used. Just try it out, quit wasting money on antivirus that don't even compare. Trust something that is compatable with what it protects
Microsoft defends its own

Also, NEVER use AVG. It is one of the worst. Easy to use, but a lump of mechanics and a bag of heavy loose bolts for sure. you might not like MSE, but its way better than AVG on any front

 

[JMH]

Also, NEVER use AVG. It is one of the worst. Easy to use, but a lump of mechanics and a bag of heavy loose bolts for sure. you might not like MSE, but its way better than AVG on any front

I respect you opinion.
However I will NOT be following your advice.
AVG Anti Virus Pro will continue doing the excellent job, on three laptops, that it's been doing for years.

 

[Skulblaka]

The last time i used AVG it was on Vista with AVG free 8.x
It caused several BSODs and failed to detect Trojans . Hopefully I use KIS2011 now

I've been using it since my early days of XP. Never an issue.

Remember, I'm the one that broke this story on the boards and presented the initial heads-up. I still have confidence in AVG.

Familiar is not always better. If someone insists on using an antivirus, through my own experience I heavily recommend Microsoft Security Essentials. Fastest, most secure, user friendly, understandable, and still free antivirus I have ever used. Just try it out, quit wasting money on antivirus that don't even compare. Trust something that is compatable with what it protects
Microsoft defends its own

I strongly doubt it's most secure, or even has anti-virus that don't even compare. That is your opinion, others prefer other anti-virus, throught their experience it works best for them. I don't see a reason why they should change if they are happy with their product that they pay for.