Vista Tutorial - Problems with new AVG 8.0 free edition

I've been using AVG on one of my computers (with OS 2000 prof) and have loved it (coupled with Zone Alarm).

My parents just got a new HP desktop computer with Vista Home Premium installed.

I installed the free edition AVG 7.5 and free edition Zone Alarm and everything worked fine. Then AVG sent out notices that AVG 7.5 free edition would not be supported any more (definition updates).

- I left 7.5 on and downloaded 8.0 thinking it would update over it. But that failed.

- So, I uninstalled 7.5 (admittedly, I did not turn it off first). Then I downloaded and installed 8.0 free edition. At this point, it seemed to work just fine.

- I had to uninstall it a week or so later (we won't go into those details) for reasons other than it not working properly.

- I then proceeded to download 8.0 free edition once again. So, here is where it all went bad: It downloaded fine, it did its first update fine, it restarted itself fine. However, when I shut down the computer and then put it back on, Vista got caught in a loop - getting as far as the Windows Password/Login menu and then looping back to the initial start up process. The only way to get out of it was to use the F8 function and choosing Use Last Good Configuration.

- I then turned off AVG and Vista still got caught in the loop. I had to completely uninstall AVG for the computer to shut down and then start up normally.

Any suggestions? I really hate my parents' computer being vulnerable with no anti-virus on it currently....

Not sure what to do.

AVG will not help me because its a free edition (even though I use other licensed products of theirs) and I've found no help in their user forum. Any input would be greated appreciated!

Try to delete EVERYTHING of AVG, use CCleaner to delete all junk that was left behind by AVG in the registry and Windows and I would reccomend to download avast! because AVG could get some issues with Vista. (from my knowing, I hate AVG because it screwed up my PC once)

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Thank you for the input. I'm nervous about using cccleaner - what if it messes up my computer. I'm not knowledgeable enough to indicate what it should and should not delete. Will Avast look for old remnants itself?

I heard Shield Deluxe gets rid of old remnants of previous anti-virus software. Anybody heard of that anti-virus software?

Before deleting anything from the registry, ccleaner will offer to back up everything first. I've used it for years and have never had any problems.

Yea, same here.

You can use CCleaner without any problems.

Have you made sure all the Windows Updates have been applied? I have had absolutely no issues with AVG 8.0 free on Vista 32 bit, but I have SP1 with every important update on any Vista system that I have installed it on. Also, Grisoft is releasing consistent updates all the time just like any other company... such as the toolbar integration now working with FF3. Some people just have no patience and think even minor problems should be fixed yesterday. I understand your issue is an exception and am sorry to hear you're having trouble with AVG. But try the latest AVG download after verifying first that the system is up to date with SP1 and other updates.