I was able to install AE with no problems, but when I try to use it, I get an error message stating that the application configuration is incorrect and that reinstalling may correct the problem. I have tried reinstalling several times and still get the same error message. My pc is running XP Media Center with service pack 3.

Did you install AE over a previous version? If so, you should do a clean uninstall of all Lavasoft and Ad-Aware files, folders, and registry entries before installing AE. It's supposed to uninstall previous versions, but it doesn't work well. You can cleanup manually which is what I did, or use http://www.revouninstaller.com/ which others have used with success.

I installed over the 2008 version. I tried the revo uninstaller and reinstalled AE, but still get the same error message.

Does the error popup when you try to open the GUI or when you try to scan?

Can you attach a screenshot? It might help to see a message number or the exact text.

Check task manager to see if AAWService.exe and AAWTray.exe are both running.

Run services.msc and make sure Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service is Started and Automatic. If you right-click properties of the service, I attached images of the 4 property tabs here:

http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/index.php?s...mp;#entry110774

The error message pops up first, the GUI never appears. I did notice that I have two Lavasoft folders under Program Files, which is obviously a problem. I attached screenshots of the error, registry entries, and the two Ad-Aware folder contents. I used the Revo Uninstaller again and took a screenshot of what it found. I deleted those items and reinstalled AE again. There is only one this time. The same error message still appears.

Glad you got rid of the 2nd Ad-Aware folder!

Now, maybe 2 things:

1. Did you check these things from my last post?


2. I noticed in your screenshot of C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware there is a file missing, metafile.dat
According to this post, in order to update Ad-Aware, this file is downloaded and compared to determine if update is available. I am not sure if this is initially installed, or downloaded with the 1st update. Maybe the error is due to the missing file? Right-click/Save this file to the Ad-Aware folder:

http://download.lavasoft.com/public/aaw2009/metafile.dat

I was having the same problem and your information gave me what I needed to get it fixed. Thanks so much for your help.

Neither AAWService.exe or AAWTray.exe are running. Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service does not appear when I run services.msc. I copied metafile.dat into the Ad Aware folder, but I still get the same error message.

OK, looks like you'll need to manually install the Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service:

I tried this, but the service is not getting created. I think the problem is the space between "program" and "files". I took it out and a service was created. However, the space needs to be there have the correct path for the service. I tried using "program files" with the quotes, but it would not create the service.

Hmmm, how about the string below. The original poster and another person got it to work, but I'm not sure if they used the abbreviated string with the ~1 or they completed the string as posted above.

sc create AAWService binpath= c:\progra~1\lavasoft\ad-aware\aawser~1.exe displayname= "Lavasoft Ad-Aware"

Sorry, if this doesn't work, it's beyond me and maybe someone else can offer a solution. However, I never asked if you're using the Free version. If you paid for the Plus or Pro version, you can contact Lavasoft for customer support via the link in my signature.

I got the service created using that string, and I set it up like in your post from a few days back. Unfortunately, I still get the same configuration error message. The only difference is that it has an error number now, 14001.

I googled "error 14001" and found this site along with many others.

http://www.velocityreviews.com/forums/t626...-incorrect.html

They fixed the problem by running this. Apparently the issue is with MS Visual C++ redistributable.

http://www.softdevlabs.com/Hercules/vcredist_x86.exe

I tried it and it worked. The error message went away, and ad-aware tried to load. It couldn't load the service, so I uninstalled it and reinstalled it. It works fine now. Thanks for your help.

Thanks for posting back about error 14001 and the MS Visual C++ fix. Glad you finally got it to work! I'll close this thread now