Avira installation causes restart crash

[Candles60]

I am running Windows 7 64 bit. HP Laptop. I had uninstalled Avast and rebooted, downloaded the newest Avira antivirus free version for Windows 7. It installed with no problems, but when restarting blue screen of death said Windows cant start, restore worked thank goodness. I went online and did a virus scan, nothing found. I decided that maybe it was caused by Avast not uninstalling completely so I uninstalled Avast once again, rebooted, did a search and even looked in the registry but it was gone. So thought it would be safe to try again. Same thing happened. Again Restore worked and took me back once again. I had already installed Windows 10 version of Avira on both my other Dell Laptop and Desktop with no problems. What could the problem be one this one laptop? I was able to install Kapersky free antivirus, and it restarted fine. Thank you for your time and any help.

 

[Snick]

Hi Candles60,
Welcome to SevenForums!
Might have some corrupt system files. sfc /scannow from Administrative Command Prompt
Click rb: in searchbox type:
cmd.exe
Right-click on it when it appears, and choose run as administrator, in CMD window at > type
sfc /scannow yes there is a space between c and /

Quite often BSOD is related to RAM issue,
Click rb: in searchbox type: mdsched select it when it appears, choose Restart now and check for problems.

Update your LAN driver and Intel NETwsw01.sys

 

[Candles60]

Thank you for responding. I tried the scannow and it came back with no integrity violations. Will try the mdsched, and update driver, and get back with you. Thank you!

 

[Candles60]

Hi again, the mdsched came back with no memory problem, and I updated all the drivers. There were many drivers that needed updating!! Right now I am afraid to reinstall Avira after all the updates and driver updates. I really don't want to chance another restore. I really appreciate all of your help. Thank you so much!

 

[edassange]

Hi Candles60. I always had problems trying to uninstall Avast completely, even after using their official removal tool and rezjor's unofficial one. Did you run the official Avast removal tool in safe mode?:
Avast Uninstall Utility | Download aswClear for Avast Removal

If you still have Kaspersky Free installed without issue I don't understand why you would want the inferior Avira, particularly as the recently released Kaspersky 2019 has the excellent System Watcher module which was previously only available on the paid suite.

So my advice would be to ensure you have completely removed Avast, or as much of it as you can, and if you are not still using Kaspersky, install the latest version:
https://www.kaspersky.co.uk/free-antivirus

If you like more configurability and a few more features, there is Kaspersky Security Cloud Free instead:
https://usa.kaspersky.com/free-cloud-antivirus

And if you want to supercharge your protection with another layer of security, there's a very good program called OSArmor which complements Kaspersky very nicely:
Prevent Malware and Ransomware with OSArmor | NoVirusThanks

Any questions at all, just post back.

Good luck!

 

[Snick]

edassange, OP stated using Avira not Avast.
Candles60, Do you have an External Hard Drive, to backup your system? They are getting cheaper all the time.
Free AV's I recommend
Avast
BitDefender
Kaspersky

How to Choose an External Hard Drive | Digital Trends

 

[edassange]

edassange, OP stated using Avira not Avast.

Candles60 used both. Candles60 experienced problems after installing Avira and suspected it may have been caused by Avast not completely uninstalling, hence my suggestion to use the official Avast removal too (my own experiences with Avast are that it is extremely difficult to fully remove, and even though it may appear to be completely uninstalled after searches, manual checks etc, it isn't). I then suggest using Kaspersky instead of Avira as it has already run without issue and, in my view, is also superior.

 

[Snick]

Thank you edassange, OK got'cha. I run Avast and I am aware of the issues.

 

[Candles60]

Thank you all for the suggestions! I am sticking with Kaspersky.. I like it much better! I will be using the Avast removal tool to be on the safe side. Yes I always back up my PC! I'm mostly running Windows 10 remember...LOL so Windows 7 is for using when Windows 10 updates destroys things, and I have to use Bing to find out wth happened! Good grief. Still I can't just back slowly away. I have to conquer it! Thank you all for helping me to do that!

 

[edassange]

I think sticking with Kaspersky is a very good decision. It gives considerably better protection than Avira and isn't as resource heavy, and, unlike Avast, it uninstalls cleanly without any problems.

And as I said earlier, if you want to beef up your protection, OSArmor is the perfect companion for Kaspersky.

Good luck!

 

[Snick]

edassange
Candles60 Happy Computing!!
Nic