I installed the latest version of Ad-Aware AE but even though install appeared to have gone OK, when I tried to open AAW I got the Connection Error - Failed to connect to the service error. I checked this error on this forum and followed all the suggested fixes. When I checked under Services there is nothing listed for Ad-Aware. I uninstalled using Revo Uninstaller as per this topic and then reinstalled. Again, install seemed to go OK but same problem as original install. Tried manually creating the service but no luck.

I have run deep system scans with both BitDefender Internet Security 2010 and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (both with latest updates) with absolutely no sign of infections or malware. I normally run these scans on a daily schedule. System runs fine, no pop-ups and no slowdowns noticeable (other then normal Widoze operation ).

Running Windows XP SP2 with all updates current. Browser is Firefox 3. Also running Spybot Search and Destroy. Any suggestions appreciated.

Since i don't know if your system is 32 or 64bit i would assume its 32bit and you will need to install SP3 also maybe try disabling the Tea-timer on Spy-bot as its known for spy-bot and Ad-ware to conflict with each-other

Thanks for the reply. System is 32 bit. Not sure about recommendation of installing SP3. At this time I prefer not to install SP3. Previous Ad-Aware ran fine on SP2. Are you saying that AAW AE will not run on SP2?

Did a Revo Uninstall (advanced) of AAW, disabled Spybot S & D TeaTimer, re-installed AAW AE and still have same problem. AAW updates work if I initiate through the Start>Programs>Lavasoft>Ad-Aware>Ad-Aware Updates but still cannot connect to service. Looking at Services Tool there is no indication of Ad-Aware Service (see screenshot). Everything appears OK with install process except for the fact that the AAW service is not being added to the Windows Services.

I have XP SP2 and Ad-Aware AE works fine. Look under "L" not "A" - it's "Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service."

Yeah, I had checked the L's. Nothing there.

OK - recently another user could not create the service using the command string in this post. Instead, it worked using the original post:

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

Also, FYI, there's a new version of Ad-Aware for 2010 due out tomorrow. You might want to wait to see if a lot of the old, know problems are alleviated with the update.

Thanks for the info. I installed build 7.1.0.11 of Ad-Aware 2008 and did not enable Ad-Watch. I was able to update it and ran a full scan with only a couple of tracking cookies and MUI items showing up.

I'll try the new 2010 version and see if it works. Also, the DOS path entry to see if that makes a difference. The main thing is that I'm pretty darn sure my system is clean. I just wish I could figure out what is causing the aawservice.exe to not be installed. I'll post any change in status if anything changes.

OK, downloaded the new release, 8.1.0, installed it and problem is fixed. AAWServices is functioning properly, was able to update, scan and configure.

Question in regards to Spybot S&D. Normally I run TeaTimer on startup. Read a post on this forum about possible conflicts with Ad-Aware. Any opinions on this?

Glad to hear the new version works
Spybot gives a popup warning when it detects Ad-Aware, and you have the choice to ignore/turnoff the warning. I never had a conflict with TeaTimer and Ad-Aware, but chose to turn off both TeaTimer and SDHelper since everyone seems to recommend running only 1 real-time application. Once I turned off the real-time protection of Spybot, AVG, and Win Defender (leaving only Ad-Aware), I noticed an increase in system performance (mainly no lag time populating the file list when opening a Win Explorer folder and slightly faster web page generation). However, I chose to keep Ad-Aware active because I have Ad-Watch registry protection (not available on Free version). If you don't have another program which protects the registry, I'd leave TeaTimer active.