AVG Update Bricking windows 7 64 bit
We've had a few reports on AVG updates breaking things on Windows 7 64 bit (thanks Bill, et all).
The problem lies with the mandatory update.
The AVG site has some info on how to deal with the issue here http://forums.avg.com/ww-en/avg-free-forum?sec=thread&act=show&id=94159
- Basically get the machine started somehow (use AVG rescue Disk or any Linux Live CD). In the windows/system32/drivers directory rename everything starting with avg. Reboot and your system will be back (minus the AV). I guess it will then be a matter of waiting for it to be fixed, reinstall or change to something else.
M
Keywords: AVG Updates
15 comment(s)
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AVG help:
Everyone: updateissuehelp@avg.com
Home and Free customers: +1-877-367-9933
Business customers: +1-828-459-5436
Gentle reminder. If you are running Truecrypt or similar, you may need to decrypt the system disk before attempting a rescue.
Nate
Dec 3rd 2010
1 decade ago
This issue brings up the issue of AVG's QA processes. I dealt with the McAfee update from hell earlier this year with another customer. In both cases it appears that basic QA controls would have prevented the release of the problematic updates. I have had discussions with my customers about delaying updates to both definition updates and app updates so that testing can be performed. That is a catch 22 when you have 40K+ new malware variants identified daily. Anyone testing every definition and app update release in your environment?
This is one more case for whitelisting in combination with traditional AV. You could easily delay app/def updates for days for testing if you had a solid whitelisting solution in place. Food for though.
BillR
Dec 3rd 2010
1 decade ago
Quicker fix then the above from AVG.
Boot using AVG Rescue CD or any bootable OS disk.
Delete the AVG directory under program files (x86), the system should now boot.
Use the AVG removal tool to remove remaining files and reg entries.
Reinstall AVG and update if needed.
Adam
Dec 3rd 2010
1 decade ago
Former AVG user
Dec 3rd 2010
1 decade ago
GMDGeek
Dec 3rd 2010
1 decade ago
David
Dec 3rd 2010
1 decade ago
If AV companies keep up this trend of bricking computers, I may start up my own computer repair shop.
Onibus
Dec 3rd 2010
1 decade ago
StW
Dec 3rd 2010
1 decade ago
@Adam - thanks that will certainly also do it.
@stw - it will be an intestine day when one av vendor says "you know what x's product is pretty darn good, better than ours even"
I usually suggest people use the MSE mainly because then they no longer call me to fix their machine. That is until MSFT bricks a machine through an AV update.
Mark h
Dec 3rd 2010
1 decade ago
BillR
Dec 3rd 2010
1 decade ago