Can't update Avast or Windows Update... Desperately need help ASAP

[AssaultRifle]

For a couple days now, I havent been able to update Avast or Windows Update. I tried reinstalling Avast but it did not help. I have tried everything. I scanned my PC with every major malware program but they don't detect anything. What should I do?

I'm too scared to reinstall Windows 7. However, I will if I need too. I also want to format my disk in the process. How could I do this?

Also, I am scared that I wont be able to find the drivers I need for my GPU and such if I reinstall and format my disk. Where can I find these drivers?

Sorry about the messy text, this was sent from my ipod touch.

 

[Petey7]

If you do reinstall, use this a guide: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html?ltr=S

Drivers can be found almost anywhere provided you know the name of the hardware you're using. The best idea is to go to the manufacturers website, as they will have the most up to date drivers.

If you want to do a middle-ground between a clean install and not reinstalling, you can do a repair install: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R

But, chances are someone knows how to fix this so what a little while longer before doing anything drastic.

 

[gregrocker]

Uninstall Avast and install comparable free MS Security Essentials to see if it will Update.

Did you run the Avast Boot Scan which is the deepest AV scan you can get? Try also one of these bootable CD scans: FREE Bootable AntiVirus Rescue CDs Download List

Next run sfc /scannow to check System File integrity.

Check your Event Viewer>Admin view for repeat errrors.

Consider a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R if problems persist and there are no further clues.

Is this factory installed Win7, or an in-place UPgrade from Vista? A clean reinstall might help you overcome corruption from one of these. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Use the drivers given by the WIn7 installer and quickly updated via optional Windows Updates. Only change drivers if performance dictates or any are missing.

 

[MacGyvr]

For a couple days now, I havent been able to update Avast or Windows Update. I tried reinstalling Avast but it did not help. I have tried everything. I scanned my PC with every major malware program but they don't detect anything. What should I do?

I'm too scared to reinstall Windows 7. However, I will if I need too. I also want to format my disk in the process. How could I do this?

Also, I am scared that I wont be able to find the drivers I need for my GPU and such if I reinstall and format my disk. Where can I find these drivers?

Sorry about the messy text, this was sent from my ipod touch.

The biggest problem I see is that you haven't told us what happens when you TRY to update. We need to know what errors you are getting, what you are seeing on screen, etc.

 

[Layback Bear]

I scanned my PC with every major malware program but they don't detect anything. What should I do? What programs did you use and could you update those programs?

 

[karlsnooks]

AssaultRifle,
Did you folllow GregRocker's advice? Yes or No.

 

[AssaultRifle]

AssaultRifle,
Did you folllow GregRocker's advice? Yes or No.

Yes, I tried everything, and nothing seems to work. Avast and Windows Update just cant connect to the server. I have tried many different WLAN connections and this still happens.

 

[Jacee]

Clear your DNS cache and restore MS's original hosts file (sounds like you can't connect because malware has stopped it from doing so)

Copy and paste these lines in Note pad.
@Echo on
pushd\windows\system32\drivers\etc
attrib -h -s -r hosts
echo 127.0.0.1 localhost>HOSTS
attrib +r +h +s hosts
popd
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset all
netsh int ip reset all
shutdown -r -t 1
del %0

Save as flush.bat to your desktop. Right click on the .bat file and choose to run as Administrator. Your computer will reboot itself.

Now, run an online scan using Eset Free ESET Online Antivirus Scanner

 

[AssaultRifle]

Clear your DNS cache and restore MS's original hosts file (sounds like you can't connect because malware has stopped it from doing so)

Copy and paste these lines in Note pad.
@Echo on
pushd\windows\system32\drivers\etc
attrib -h -s -r hosts
echo 127.0.0.1 localhost>HOSTS
attrib +r +h +s hosts
popd
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset all
netsh int ip reset all
shutdown -r -t 1
del %0

Save as flush.bat to your desktop. Right click on the .bat file and choose to run as Administrator. Your computer will reboot itself.

Now, run an online scan using Eset Free ESET Online Antivirus Scanner

Alright, will try this right now. I scanned with the last antivirus I could find on the internet, and it detected a bunch of "rootkit" viruses. No other anti virus has shown even 1 infection. I'll delete these then i'll try what you told me

 

[Jacee]

it detected a bunch of "rootkit" viruses.

ugh! not good

 

[karlsnooks]

AssaultRifle,
Did you uninstall Avast?
Did you install Microsoft Security Essentials.

An excellent program to get rid of and check for bad guys is MalwareBytes.

A high number of SevenForum contributors use MalwareBytes occasionally.

[FONT=&quot]VIRUS and MALWARE REMOVAL / PROTECTION[/FONT]​

1. Download MalwareBytes. Malwarebytes
2. Disconnect from the Internet.
3. Disable your present antivirus software and firewall.
4. Remove your present antivirus software and firewall.
5. Install and run the MalwareBytes Quick Scan (remove any bad guys). 3min 29secs on my laptop.
6. Reconnect to Internet.
7. Update MalwareBytes.
8. Run malwarebytes quick scan again.(remove any bad guys). 3min 38secs on my laptop.
9. Run MalwareBytes full scan. 16min 8secs on my laptop. With large,full disk ~2hours.
A. Disable your present antivirus software and firewall
B. Remove your present antivirus software
C. Download Microsoft Security Essentials.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
D. Run Microsoft Security Essentials. Quick Scan - ~8 min on my laptop.
E. Run Microsoft Security Essentials. Full Scan - ~ 1hr 50 min on my laptop.
Now I advise you to uninstall MalwareBytes and only install again when and if you need it.
Why?, you ask. Leaving MalwareBytes installed slowed my system. AutoRuns showed MalwareBytes processes running even after exiting from MalwareBytes.

 

[AssaultRifle]

Clear your DNS cache and restore MS's original hosts file (sounds like you can't connect because malware has stopped it from doing so)

Copy and paste these lines in Note pad.
@Echo on
pushd\windows\system32\drivers\etc
attrib -h -s -r hosts
echo 127.0.0.1 localhost>HOSTS
attrib +r +h +s hosts
popd
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset all
netsh int ip reset all
shutdown -r -t 1
del %0

Save as flush.bat to your desktop. Right click on the .bat file and choose to run as Administrator. Your computer will reboot itself.

Now, run an online scan using Eset Free ESET Online Antivirus Scanner

I didn't even have to do the 2nd part. This worked perfectly. Thanks!!

 

[Petey7]

I'm a little worried about the rootkits on your computer. Those are never good. Make sure all detected were removed. Which AV program actually found them? What is your regular AV?

 

[AssaultRifle]

I'm a little worried about the rootkits on your computer. Those are never good. Make sure all detected were removed. Which AV program actually found them? What is your regular AV?

I downloaded this thing from the Kaspersky website (it wasn't the actual AV) and it specialized in removing rootkits. I removed most of them with that. Then I scanned with Super Anti Spyware and removed any remaining viruses.

 

[Jacee]

What did Kaspersky find?

Please read what a Rootkit is Rootkit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[gaz]

Updates

And does Windows update just fail??,whats the error code (if there is one)

If Avast has its own firewall,you might have to make Wu an exception

Check to see what AV and Firewalls are installed and on/off in Action center??
just an idea

 

[gregrocker]

At this point, why wouldn't you copy your data out, wipe the HD and clean reinstall?

These are likely highly sophisticated infections programmed to block access to the very scanners which can kill them. I have only ever been able to completely overcome these by wiping the HD with three sets of zeroes (DOD standard) and clean reinstalling: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-optimize-windows-re-installation.html

Then there is the problem of your data. Whatever disk you put it on or has had access to it needs to be quarantined from any other machine, then scanned with every available boot scan to sanitize it. And it still probably won't be completely safe. FREE Bootable AntiVirus Rescue CDs Download List

At this point, running any AV outside of boot mode just gives these sophisticated viruses a way to hide in running programs, can set them loose on a network, even infect the disk media and connected drives.

 

[Jacee]

@ gregrocker, I agree with you about wiping the HD and a clean install.
Just because one may think the Rootkit is gone, the computer will never be stable again ... it was severely compromised.

I don't deal with Rootkits. Best to know you have a clean and fully functioning machine rather than one using a crutch.

 

[gregrocker]

Jacee, Nice to know they are even rootkits. I have done hand-to-hand combat with them where they took over an entire house. It was like war where they would block my exits. I only won out in the end by wiping HD.

Is there residual damage once the HD is sufficiently wiped? Hardware? Underlying code contamination? Change the HD? Just askin.

 

[Petey7]

Root kits can infect the BIOS and firmware of different hardware. So, I guess you can never be sure they are fully gone.

Reference: Rootkit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia