Failed to load AFW.SYS driver.

[firewalz]

After a recent re-installation of Windows XP Pro SP3, I first installed OSS (for which I have a 2-year license), then decided to give Kaspersky 2012 SS a try, so I deinstalled OSS and installed Kaspersky. I thought Kaspersky looked really nice, but its firewall offered virtually no protection against unauthorized outgoing connections (failed the GRC's leaktest), so I deinstalled it, restarted the computer and installed OSS v7.5.2 back again.

However, during the installation I could not download the malware updates right away (slow internet connection), so I first restarted, hoping to download the updates on the second run.

Then I started getting the following message:

Failed to load Outpost Security Suite Pro network
operation driver.
Outpost Security Suite Pro functionality is limited: failed
to load AFW.SYS driver.

The warning message appears in the right bottom corner of the screen during Windows start up, halfway through the loading of the start up programs.

I have two questions to which, hopefully, answers can be provided:

1. Why is this message appearing and what could be the solution?
2. How dangerous is this situation with regards to my security (if not fixed)?

Final notes: I tried repairing the software but to no avail.

Your suggestions are most welcome.

Kind Regards,
fz

[Manny Carvalho]

It's probably a failure to fully uninstall Kaspersky drivers and then causing a conflict during the OSS install. Go find their uninstall free standing routine and use it. I'd also use clean.exe in safe mode to delete all OSS components so you can start fresh. Dualing firewall drivers and incomplete uninstalls can be a real pain. You have to clean up your system.

You might try System Restore back to a point before you installed KAV. It's possible that might get it and it's easy to try if you have a point. If you have an image backup of your clean system then go for that since in the long term that will be the quickest solution.

I'd turn on the built in firewall until you get this resolved since right now you have no firewall protection.

[minoka]

To complement Manny Carvalho's post: you can find a link to a number of uninstallers, incl Kaspersky's, right here via
this thread/post.
When at the list of Security Software uninstallers, find Kaspersky, then click info (rather than tool) as this gives a lot more info on what the tool actually removes and how to use it. Good luck.

Hope this helps.

[gisot]

firewalz, based on my experience, you can avoid that error by installing "older" version of Outpost Security Suite first (7.5.1 for example) and after that do upgrade installation with the latest version (7.5.2). I had this issue before on my Windows XP SP 3 Home and that was the only solution that always worked. Try it!
Here is the official agnitum link to previous Outpost Security Suite editions:
http://www.agnitum.com/support/kb/ar...0290&lang=en#2

[Manny Carvalho]

firewalz, based on my experience, you can avoid that error by installing "older" version of Outpost Security Suite first (7.5.1 for example) and after that do upgrade installation with the latest version (7.5.2). I had this issue before on my Windows XP SP 3 Home and that was the only solution that always worked. Try it!
Here is the official agnitum link to previous Outpost Security Suite editions:
http://www.agnitum.com/support/kb/ar...0290&lang=en#2

This won't resolve the issue if the interference is due to a leftover driver from another firewall. If that indeed is the problem than that driver has to be removed completely first.

[firewalz]

Thank you for your help, guys!

I also received a message from Outpost Support:


Thank you for your message.

Please, try to re-install Outpost Security Suite using the following
guide (we recommend to backup your configuration file using Settings
-> Configuration -> Export, before re-installing the program):

1. Boot into Safe Mode.
(please, see the following article for details on how to reboot in
Windows Safe mode: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/en-us)

2. When system is loaded in Safe Mode, run clean.exe from Outpost
installation folder (by default - C:\Program Files\Agnitum\Outpost
Security Suite). Your PC will automatically reboot.

3. Download the latest version of the program from:
http://www.agnitum.com/products/secu...e/download.php

4. Close all running programs.

5. Launch the installation and follow on-screen instructions.

If the problem recurs after that, please, go to the Temp folder (click Start - Run, in the Run field type %TEMP% and hit Enter) and look for the following files with a date of installation:
afw_setup.log
compatibility.log
configuration.ini
op_config*
op_install*
op_mon.log
Outpost*
scm_install*
scm_install.log
Setup Log*
vcredist.log
rundll32.log
Then, go to Windows folder. (click Start - Run, in the Run field type
%SYSTEMROOT%\ and hit Enter) and look for the following files:
setupapi.log

Please note that by default these folders are hidden. In order to see them please click Start – Control Panel – Folder options – View. Tick “Show hidden files and folders” option and save the changes. Zip the files and attach them to your reply, then send the archive to us for investigation purposes.
We are sorry for this inconvenience.
__________________________________________________ __________

I exported the configuration, restarted in Safe mode (but with command prompt), ran clean.exe, restared, re-installed, restarted, imported the old configuration and voila!

Kind regards,
firewalz

[Manny Carvalho]

Did you run the KAV uninstall tool?

[firewalz]

Dear Manny,

Here is the full sequence of events:

1. I downloaded and ran the KAV cleaning tool.
2. I exported the configuration from inside Outopst to a file on my desktop.
3. I restarted in Safe mode (but with command prompt, the Safe mode with Networking was not sufficient)
4. I ran clean.exe
5. I restared the computer.
6. I downloaded and installed the latest version of OSS.
7. I restarted and imported the old configuration.

Kind regards,
firewalz

[Manny Carvalho]

Thank you. I'm glad to see that it's all cleaned up and running nicely for you. Congratulations.