Avast error in Ubuntu 9.10

[ravisunny2]

The Avast! for Linux installation went through without any error (in Ubuntu 9.10), and Avast appeared in the Applications menu.

But, when I ran Avast, I got the following error message.

Avast! Error
An error occured in avast! engine: Invalid argument

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Leeky]

Is this error being caused when you try to start it from the program menu?

 

[ravisunny2]

Yes, and also from the command prompt in a terminal.

 

[Leeky]

What command are you issuing to start avast?

Were you able to start the application so you could register it before it died?

I just start mine with the command:

avastgui

or

avast

from terminal.

Its possible something hasnt been pulled in as a dependancy when it installed. It would be worth a re-installation to ensure this is not the cause.

EDIT: I'm now getting the same problem, after having completed an update for definitions. I'll have a more detailed look shortly and let you know the outcome.

I have a feeling one of the files in ~/home/*user*/.avast is playing up...

 

[Leeky]

A nice and simple fix:

Open terminal, and type the following as root (sudo)

sysctl -w kernel.shmmax=100000000

No credit to me, the information was found here via google: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=57764.msg486924#msg486924

Mines now working.

EDIT:

Not after a reboot. I'll explain how to do it properly shortly. Bear with me while I finish figuring it out, and then explain please. lol.


The Solution for Ubuntu 9.10/10.04:

fire up terminal.

type the following:

cd /etc/init.d/
sudo gedit rcS

Enter your password, and then gedit will open the file.

Below the lines starting with # add the following comment:

sysctl -w kernel.shmmax=100000000

As an example, my rcS file now reads the following information.

#! /bin/sh
#
# rcS
#
# Call all S??* scripts in /etc/rcS.d/ in numerical/alphabetical order
#

sysctl -w kernel.shmmax=100000000

exec /etc/init.d/rc S

Save the file open in gedit, and then close the window.

Restart your computer and log back into your user account.

fire up terminal again:

avastgui

It should now be working.

 

[ravisunny2]

Thanks, Leeky.

sysctl -w kernel.shmmax=124000000, fixed the problem for me (fingers crossed).