McAfee VirusScan - AdAware Incompatibility

Question

Hi,My subscription to McAfee Secutity Center that came with my I9300 expired on 1/21, so I purchased McAfee Internet Suite 2007 and attempted to install. McAfee VirusScan would not install listing an incompatibily problem with Lavasoft AdAware, so I promptly uninstalled AdAware - rebooted, and tried again. McAfee continues to list the incompatibility (despite many attempts/reboots) with AdAware and will not install VirusScan. I contacted McAfee and they said I have to get Lavasoft to resolve the problem. VirusScan and AdAware played fine together with my previous installation. I was at Lavasoft web and AdAware being free, they will not support problems. I posted to the Lavasoft Forum, but there were at least two other postings with the identical problem but zero responses. My I9300 is crippled without Virus Protection. Any ideas. Thank you very much.

mombodog · Answer

There are several free AV softwares, here are 2, others will post their favorites, Ask for your money back from McAfee since they refuse to support their software. McAfee and Adaware are competitors in the marketplace and McAfee is just being monopolistic about you having a competitor product on your PC. Dump McAfee, lousy software anyway.   http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10342876.html   http://www.comodogroup.com/

rjmat · Answer

Hi mombodog, Thanks for your prompt reply. About 5 minutes ago I received a reply to my Lavasoft posting. It seems there is a registry key that needs to be deleted. I havn't tried it yet but I will post back if it is successful. Unfortunately I purchased from a third party vendor and I thought with software once you break the seal you're stuck.

rjmat · Answer

The following was copied from a Lavasoft Forum posting:

mzhou wrote:

Check if there is any Ad-Aware or Ad-Watch entry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall. If existing, backup this registry key, then delete it (You may need to manually remove other left registry keys and files).

McAfee SystemGuard, part of VS 11, provides similar system protections Ad-Watch does

This worked for me; mine was listed as AdAware SE Personal. Your must proceed with caution when editing the registry. Backup, backup.

Thank you,

txtchr · Answer

I agree with mombodog. Recently dumped NAV after being a user since *ugh* Day One with them years ago. Switched to AVG Free and never realized that my system could run so smoothly. Unfortunately purchased an Inspiron laptop with McAfee 2 year subscription for my parents nearly 18 months ago (my parents are in their 80's and this is their first computer); they are so confused and befuddled by the updates that come in, the e-mails that get blocked and show as 'potential worms' (these are e-mails from me and their granddaughter!), and now the forced upgrade that has come through. I regret the day I did that -- as I thought I was making things easier for them. Some may swear by AVG, others Avast!; whichever you choose or any other program that does not 'hog' your resources and is well reviewed and has a good track record, go with it. You'll never regret it and look back.

rjmat · Answer

Hi, The problem I originally posted for this thread was only the tip of the iceberg. I've gone thru three rounds of un-install - install (with directions provided at McAfee Forum) and still no success. I cannot access the internet with my I9300 because of McAfee. I had purchased this from Amazon and I just got off the phone with them a few minutes ago; they are sending a return label so I can get a refund. In the meantime I intend to use AVG and the free Zone Alarm until something better comes along. Thank you for your help.

txtchr · Answer

rjmat,

Make sure McAfee is completely off your system -- as I found out that NAV left multiple files as remnants on my machine and I had to do several removals to get it completely off. You'll love AVG -- interface is very basic. I "test-drove" it on my childrens' computers and got their feedback (both are in college; one has been using it for nearly a year; one for about 8 months) and both of them are very pleased.

So far, I'm happy too :). Good luck and don't look back.

Mary :)

rjmat · Answer

Hi txtchr, Thanks very much for your reply. I un-installed using Add/Remove, than I used a cleanup program supplied by McAfee (MCPR.exe), then I manually deleted all the files and folders I could find. They can be found in 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data ' and you must do this for any and all  'users' individually. I think that covers it but I'm always open for suggestions; I need all the help I can get. Message Edited by rjmat on 01-23-200709:50 PM

txtchr · Answer

rjmat,

I think you've probably removed it completely if you've used the McAfee cleanup program after uninstalling. A lot of people don't bother to go that extra step, so I just wanted to make sure that you did.

If someone else reading this thread who is more familiar with McAfee wants to jump in, they can offer their expertise. I've had to remove NAV, so I got the feel for that whole piece of software. McAfee is different, especially since mine was just the AntiVirus, and not the entire security suite.

Mary :)

rjmat · Answer

Hi Mary, et al, I went one step further in this 'cleanup' of McAfee; Windows OneCare Live http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/cleanup.htm the 'clean-up scan' found a considerable number of additonal McAfee registry items. I've used OneCare Live many times in the past and never had any problems allowing it to 'clean' my system. Thank you,

txtchr · Answer

Thanks for letting us and others know about this, rjmat. We all learn from each other. :) Mary :)

mombodog · Answer

Nice link rjmat, :smileyhappy:

rjmat · Answer

Hi All,
Remarkably, it's free, and M$ encourages telling your friends, so spread it around.
I figure if M$ doesn't know what should and shouldn't be in your registry - then who does. I still screen their findings before I click 'next'. I try to use it at least once a week.

Windows General

McAfee VirusScan - AdAware Incompatibility

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