AVG Update can stop Windows 7 Rebooting

A faulty update to the free AVG antivirus package is preventing some Windows 7 machines from booting. If you are getting the error “"STOP: c0000135 The program can't start because %hs is missing from your computer “ when you restsart your computer after latest AVG up date try one of the following methods to recover.

The company claims only some machines running the 64-bit version of Windows 7 are affected by the bug.

AVG's support forum suggests a number of workarounds, including booting affected PCs in Safe Mode and running a System Restore, before reinstalling AVG.

A) If you did not restart yet (due to AVG after-update request)
- delete all .prepare files from AVG program directory:

For 64bit operating system:
C:\Program files (x86)\AVG\AVG10

- open AVG -> menu Tools -> Advanced Settings -> Update -> Manage and use the button to remove temporary update files
- reboot computer
- run AVG 2011 repair installation to restore AVG to previous functional state - this may actually not be necessary in most cases
- everything should be working fine


B) If you did restart and have the unpleasant issue
- use AVG Rescue CD
- open menu Utilities -> Midnight Commander
- navigate and rename these files:

For 64bit operating system:
/mnt/sda1/program files (x86)/avg/avg10/avgrsa.exe
/mnt/sda1/program files (x86)/avg/avg10/avgchsva.exe

- use F6 key to rename them to some other name
- reboot computer
- run AVG 2011 repair installation to restore AVG to previous functional state

We are also working on some easier solution. We will keep you informed.

EDIT: FAQ 4080 created

EDIT: Encrypted disk partitions needs to be decrypted prior to using Midnight Commander on AVG Rescue CD. (TrueCrypt Rescue CD)

EDIT: FAQ 4080 updated with modified AVG Rescue CD for USB medium. It is enough to just boot prepared USB medium at affected computer and confirm changes. All needed actions are done automatically. Then please repair AVG installation.

Update:
Updated AVG 2011 Rescue CD/USB (for 3292 update):


You can always contact AVG Support for extra help to solve this problem.

PAID CUSTOMERS:

1-Home and Free customers: 24/7 support +1-877-367-9933
2-Business customers: 9:30am-6:30pm EST +1-828-459-5436 or
3-Skype:avg-nc
4-Email: updateissuehelp@avg.com.

FREE CUSTOMERS:

1- 24/7 support: +1-877-367-9933
2- email us at updateissuehelp@avg.com