"Side by side config" error

[JunkyJr]

Trying to fix a friend's mother's laptop running Vista. Lots of viruses, malware, yadda yadda yadda. That stuff I think I can fix, however.. Just tried to install Avast on the machine, both in safe mode and regular. Each time I run it, it comes up with an error saying "Side by side configuration is incorrect". No codes or specifics. Only things I could find by searching is that it is related to DLLs being corrupt or missing in Vista.. and now I'm stuck. Any ideas?

[Miz]

Trying to install any anti-virus or anti-malware software on a computer already infected is a recipe for disaster. Viruses are written to disable the more widely used AV programs and Avast is in that group.

You will also find that current malware is quite sophisticated, requiring more specialized, powerful tools and someone skilled in their use to deal with.

I recommend you read this thread, then start a new thread in our Malware Removal Forum and let the experts there help you clean things up so you can then install some security software for them.