Gentlemen: I know this topic might be weird...I'm trying to find answers to my issue with Avira 2012.First I'll descibe the issue:After installing Avira 2012 in my system after 24 hours it's impossible to open the Control Panel from the desk top icon I get an error...I' have been in contact with Aviar support and they have been helpful, no complaints here. After Uninstalling and reinstalling fallowing almost all intructions from the supporter...( (Except a part where he says I have to open windows in "Safe Mode" to open an delete some files...I ahve managed to uninstall the software via Control Panel and deleting the files he indicates in different locations...Therby being able to reinstall the software from original file,link together with reg.cleaner from Avira. This only works for about 24 hours the next day I find myself doing the process once again ( I'm getting tired of this9 To say the least! ...Today I decided to look in theire own forum and there I found that others were having the same issue. The solution they had come up with was to install Microsoft Visual C++2010 SP1 Redistributable Package (X86).I have this but 2008.So I am wondering if this new version could have some effect on my sim and my addons? or what?... Can anyone advice...?( I have made the supporter from Avira aware of this post in the forum and am awaiting a response at some point tomorrow morning or whenever he responds. I just want to make sure that this new redistributable package doesn't affect my sim and addons?Berlopez

No, it should not hurt in updating to the latest 2010 package.In fact, it is advisable to do so.

venustus01 Thanks for you reply.I'm nnot a computer expert myself, have managed through the years by trial and error...Last year I got hit by the mcAfee bug( yes I'm not lucky with antivirus software; I managed to save this computer by fallowing theire intruction and finally reformatting it to Windows 7 32, So far so good except for this antivirus thingy.I downloaded and intalled Avira free...Until it drives you crackers with adds to purchase.So I did. I got Avira Antivirus Premium as it was the reccomended one for win7. Then the problems started,that I couldn't open the desktop icon ( The error report began to appear. I then took screen shots and send them on to Avira/ Support where they began to tell me what to do. Uninstall Avira with along procedure, start window in safe mode,disabling Windows Defender etc...( I didn't do the part of starting windows in Safe Mode). As I say I'm not computer confident) But found other ways of uninstalling,also using the tools support sent me. Yesterday I managed to uninstall it untilwindows told me to find an antivirus program on the net This seemed to indicate I had got rid of Avira. So I proceeded to reinstall and let it update and run a preliminary scan.That came out clean.Then I searched and searched for answers,until I went into Avira forum and there I found this thread between members about Avira needing M.V.C++2010. 2008 is also required,Now my question is if the misshap were to happen again.This morning I managed to open the desktop icon without problems and I'm running a quick scan as I write.Would I need to reinstall Avira on top of th enew Microsoft Visual C++ SP1 Redistributabel Package (X86)? Or just install this and leave it. I know it's a bit of a touch and go question. But since Aviara support don't seem to be aware of this despite the fact that it is on theire forum...I dare ask here.

After having had another failure with the desktopicon,again this morning, I attepted to uninstall as i have done the past few days...I couldn't this time.It wouldn't let me. I also attempted for the firt time to do this opening windows in Safe Mode as the supporter suggested...But it wouldn't let me either, Thinking Now I had had it, Bhuaaa...! I installed nd run MS Visual C++2010...( Rememmber I haven't been able to uninstall),proceeded to desk top and double clicked the Control Panle icon and it OPENED ! Even reporting of the last scan I performed last night and this morning. I have CCLeaner and apparently the registry cleaner option deletes a .dll and ruins the .exe from Avira desktop?

I used Avira free and loved it, UNTIL they started that annoying incessant never ending ad for the pay version. Deleted it, got MSE, and happy again. Typical "if it aint broke, mess with it until it is' at Avira.

PIC007; I agree with you! I used Avira Free until the adds drive you nutters to say the least; I'm wary of everything now. Last yeara i was hit by the mcAfee bug. Eventhough my new computer had come with Vista preinstalled. The bug was XP oriented as only XP user were supposed to have been affected, by theire DAT 9896...I think it was called???I contacted them inmediately but they had shut support in Sofia Bulgaria where their support is or was stationed at the time. So I decided to contact Avira localy and all phones were shut down. Finally I decided to call their local office and talk to the telephone receptionist who put me in touch with th eonly line thtwas open; This turned out to be the danish regional Manager,who was at a conference in Holland. Article began to appear throughout the internet and finally theire advice to formatt HD's to XP-SP3, I had this done by computer shop, cost me alittle penny but mcAfee supposedly covered that cost.After 9 months and a second formatt to win7 32 I managed, persistantly ! To get my small settlement awarded.Then Like you I was advice by various to get Avira or AVG Which at the time were free, Avira worked flawlwssly in this version ...But as you say theire pesky buy the version and take advantage etc.etc...Drove me nutters as well. So I purchased the payware. Not long after this I ran into trouble with it and th eproblems began and Support,which I cannot complain about at this point. Today that is, have been helpful. A few days ago I found on theire own forum that members had the same issue of the BAD IMAGE Error displayin when the Desktop icon was double clicked. i was asked by the supporter to uninstall and reinstall, even by startting the computer on Safe Mode etc.etc... Nothing worked I kept writting to him.unti I made him awae of the posts in their forum of installiing Microsoft Visual C++2010 SP1 Redistibutable (X86)...I only had 2008...As if that made a difference??? After attempting today,since the fault reappeared again today after running CCLeaner on my system,together with the registry cleaner,that comes along with that program. I as I mention below attempted to uninstall...But to NO Avail. Desperate and seeing no other ways but to perhaps having to formatt my computer and start completely a new...Cuss,Cuss...The supporter contacted me again and linked me to the MVisual 2010... And I proceeded to download and install. I the after it finished went back to desktop and double clicked on the Avira Desk Top Icon and it opened, showing also that the scan I had performed last night was in record. I beleive I was being used as a guinee pig by Avira as they requested me to send them everytime smething went wrong a piece of software that runs from their webside called AVSUPINF.zip It scans my computer to see how Avira is behaving. I sent them all this information everytime I was requested it. So far since i run MVC++2010 I have had no problem opening the progarm. If it persists at any one point I'm jumping to MSE; As one cannot trust anyone any more, not even an antivirus company not to send you crap, as I was unfortunately made a victim of with mcAfee.

In another life I was a computer and network security system designer and analyst - I've tried most of the security software out there for PCs. The answer is - drum roll please - VIPER. It is payware but it is also industrial strength protection. This software protects you from everything. Don't believe it - ask someone who has it.Frank

BerlopezI think most of us have been down that road. .....I used to use Nortons, they screwed that upSymantic, they screwed that upAVG, they screwed that upAvira, they screwed that upAdAware, they screwed that upand on and on and on....many more I can't rememberI am leary of all of them now, but a friend of mine who is a MS certified 'engineer' recommended MSE. I'm no fan of MS anything, but I decided to try it anyway. So far its worked fine and no interference with FSX and NO DAMN AD'S! Your milage may vary but for now, for me, I'll stick with it.I also run Malewarebytes and one called 'Superantispyware', both free and so far (crossing my fingers) both trouble free.

I have used Avira for many years, and never had a virus, and had no problems with it other than a false positive every so often which all antivirus software report. However I am currently using Premium Security Suite 2010.As of now I wouldn't switch to any other antivirus software. I had to many problems with them, especially Symantec.Aivra support is among the best and with good information sent to them they should be able to correct any problems with the newer version.

McCrash, Thanks for your imput! As I have written on my long story,above, I got hit by mcAfee last year.That was very frutrating,to say the least.When I first purchased Avira I got Security Premium. INtsalled let it run the preliminary scan and all went well.I had no issues at all. Then when the problem began I contacted them and described what I was doing and it's taken all this time to figure out that my CCLeaner was at fault. Everytime I used the registry cleaner it would delete a .dll form Aviar making he shortcut obsolite. and reinstalling was nessesary in order to get the program to work again. I'm not a computer expert. so when the supporter,who as you say is amonst the best,I have experienced now began to help by sending me files (AVSUPINF.Exe) and I began to send them back we finally figured what was going on, Not directly saying it was Piriforms' CCLeaner... During all installations I discovered that I didn't have an updated version of Microsofts' Visula C++ Redistributable (X86)...But that I only had one from 2008! Dhuuuu...Then i dicovered in theire forum that others had the problem as well and that it could be solved by downloading and nstalling the 2010 version...In the end that did the trick;After a lot of trial and error. I can now open the icon any time with out recieving the BAD IMAGE Error window.I hope it continues to behave it self

Again this morning problems with Avira; I thought after yet another reinstall last night things would be ok? But no...Error message again, So again to the drawing board with uninstalling and reinstalling deleting regkey using theire tools I have been sent.etc,etc.Then got an e-mail from the supporter where he asks me to yet run another tool to collect information about my computer,But the process is much to complex fo me to do. So I ignored it...So far...After reinstallation this morning again it seemed everything was fine until I notice while doing something else the littleumbrela on the taskbar was closed Jaiks!!!!!!!!!! I said and not very patienty began to swear. I then took a screenie of the Control Panel ( Web Services) Had stopped working. And sent it of the supporter, A little while later he replied with intruction to howw to correct this error by using command promt line etc,etc...I won't go into details here...Restarting computer and the issue was then fixed, the Umbrella is now open again.

Sorry for your woes. I have used CCleaner for years and never had a problem with it. I'm not sure why it would delete a .dll, but you can tell CCleaner to ignore Avira by clicking the "Applications" tab at the opening screen and uncheck Avira (this would be for the file cleaner). Also, after you run the registry cleaner, you will see a list of things to be removed. You can uncheck anything to do with Avira. Although if CCleaner doesn't like the Avira .dll, there might be something wrong with your installation, which sounds possible with all your reinstalls. Doing the Safemode stuff Avira suggests is a good idea. I use CCleaner for the registry cleaner. I have found that I need to run it at least 2 times to get everything cleaned out.

bobbyjack: Thanks for your reply. yes I have checked this in Ccleaner under applications and unticked the option that reffered to Antivirus desktop. Now Avira support say also that I can use Ccleaner without it interferring with Avira.Earlier while doing something else I noticed the little umbrella on the taskbar was closed; Jikes! What happened now! I hadn't touch or run anything. I took a screenie of the error prepared an e-mail for the supporter and sent it off...20 minutes alte he replied with concise intructions how to get rid of the error by going to command promt and tackling the avira problem fro in there. All I can say is that it looked like the program reinstalled.After computer restart the Umbrella was open again. I have been linked to a second Avira download. I believe I am being used as an experiment, When I first purchased Avira 4 weeks ago I purchased "Avira Antivirus Premium" The when my problems began I was told to download a new version ( Maybe I am naive) called "Avira Antivirus 2012" This is the one I'm running right now and has been giving me all these HEAD ACHES! I find myself having to reinstall everyday Avira!

Seems lie I had a bad download of Microsoft Visual C++2010 Redistributable (X86). Upon running the .exe again i gace me a complete different window to complete the installation...I then deleted Avira and reinstalled using all the tool the supporter has provide me with.Now this morning is the first time in three weeks the installation is active both in Task bar and icon can be opened with out error....Hope is stays this way; Otherwise I'm going MSS...

DUMPPED IT! Again last night I reinstalled using the supporters' method of using the command promt. This morning,while computer was shut down all last night I open it and Avira's desk top is giving me the error message gain BAD IMAGE...And the task bar icon show a closed umbrella : Real Time protection disable!???...I got fed up. Rerun the tools the supporter had sent me and sent them off...Never heard form him again...Today? Never mind. I uninstalled it completely from my system, thnks he had sent m all the tool to uninstalle end even clean the registry from Avira files/ Keys. Then downloaded MSE and installed in a jiffy. and have it now running.For good order sake...I am not attempting to Bad Mouth anyone or any company by this thread. But be warned and wary!...Berlopez