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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Tabvla on October 21, 2013, 03:36:38 PM

Title: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Tabvla on October 21, 2013, 03:36:38 PM
OS : Windows XPSP3 with all updates
Avast : Free AV running since August 2013.  Updated today to Avast 2014.  No "extra" software installed.

After installing Avast Free 2014 update today, on rebooting, Windows starts normally until it reaches the "Windows is starting up..." screen at which point it freezes. 

- If the Mouse is moved, the pointer will move, so there is still some communication. Nothing else does anything.
- If the system is left for 10 minutes plus then the screen goes blank

Any suggestions?

T.
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Midihead on October 21, 2013, 05:32:26 PM
Your problem sounds similar to what I and several others have been experiencing with upgrading to version 9.0.2006 on Windows XP (see http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=137154.0 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=137154.0). My screen goes black as soon as it gets to the Welcome screen on one of my XP machines. For me, the culprit appears to be the aswSP.sys file in the system32\drivers folder. If this file temporarily disabled, then the computer will boot but I think the Self Protection may not work correctly as a result.

On the other XP computer, it will boot but my shields keep deactivating themselves every minute or so. Also, the internet on both PCs wouldn't work with the firewall enabled.

I have a support ticket open which was just escalated to level 2. They have updated the ticket type to Bug.
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Tabvla on October 21, 2013, 05:59:34 PM
Midihead, thanks for your reply.

If you let the boot process continue for a long time (about 30min) you will eventually be able to login.  However, about 2 min after the logged-in User Desktop is displayed the computer will BlueScreen with dire warnings of system damage.... etc.

I can also confirm that Safe Mode on this computer is now no longer available so there is no going back.

The problem of course is that if you cannot Start then there is usually not much you can do.  However, I can remove the system disk and access it from a different computer.  Based on your comments I am thinking of removing the disk, accessing it from a different computer and then simply deleting the system32\drivers\aswSP.sys file or changing its name. 

Not sure what impact (if any) this will have on the a Restart....  ???

If I can then restart the computer I can uninstall Avast and using a reliable Registry cleanup utility I can clear out the Registry of any remaining entries.

Any thoughts on the above?

T.


Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: chris.. on October 21, 2013, 06:37:57 PM
Hi,
I think you can rename aswSP.sys to ".bak" with an other HDD or with recup console.
I don't know if this file cause issue but I spent WE with the same issue (logged in user desktop near 30 min but without BleuScreen , same freeze in safe mode).
I hope for you just to, delete/rename file will be OK before you erase/rename (like I have done with an other pc) all 5 registry files.
Now it's good for me except I'am afraid to install avast again , I think I 'll go back to v8 at least a month  ;D
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Tabvla on October 21, 2013, 06:58:31 PM
Thanks for your thoughts Chris.

T.
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: chris.. on October 21, 2013, 09:01:01 PM
If you will try to delete file , thanks to post the result

Other think : before your issue (first boot after 2014 install) , did you noticed an advertissement about "fssfltr_tdi.sys" file don't work anymore ?
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Tabvla on October 21, 2013, 11:14:26 PM
The following may be a possible solution for those users who cannot get XP to start or cannot login or get a BSOD after login.

You will need the following:

1. Access to another computer  ( any Windows computer will do that has a USB port )
2. SATA/IDE to USB patch cable  ( these are not expensive and all computer shops keep them )

The procedure is as follows

Before you start disconnect the computer with the Avast problem from the Internet.

1. Switch OFF the computer with the Avast problem and remove the mains cable from the wall
2. Remove the System Disk from this computer.  I will call this disk DISK_AP (Avast Problem)
3. Start the other computer
4. When the other computer has started use the patch cable to plug into a USB Port DISK_AP
5. Using Windows Explorer go to DISK_AP
6. Go to the folder Programs on DISK_AP
7. Scroll down until you find the two folders Avast and Avast Software
8. Change the names of these folders to STOP_Avast  and   STOP_Avast Software
9. Go to the Windows folder on DISK_AP
10. Scroll down to the folder system32
11. In the system32 folder on DISK_AP click on drivers
12. Scroll down the list until you come to a set of drivers that all start with asw
13. Change the extension of each of these files from .sys to .bak
14. Click on the USB icon in the System Tray and click on the DISK_AP to safely remove it
15. When Windows tells you that it is safe to remove, then remove DISK_AP from the USB port
16. Reinstall DISK_AP into its computer
17. Start
18. The computer will now start without any problems

Once the computer has started you can then decide what you want to do next........ for example....

a) Uninstall Avast 9.xxx and reinstall Avast 8.xxx
b) Uninstall Avast and install a different AV product

Whatever you decide to do you will need to clean up the Registry when you are finished.  One of the best and safest Registry cleaners is Advanced Uninstaller Pro 11 which is available at this link:-

http://www.advanceduninstaller.com/ (http://www.advanceduninstaller.com/)

REMEMBER !!!   Always create a Restore Point with System Restore BEFORE doing anything to the Registry !!!

Good Luck   :)

Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Alikhan on October 21, 2013, 11:16:19 PM
I wouldn't mess with the registry at all...

Just wait for the Avast devs to come out with a fix.

Until then, have you tried a repair or a clean install?
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Tabvla on October 21, 2013, 11:25:00 PM
Alikhan, it is very difficult to do ANYTHING when you cannot get Windows to start or if you can you get a BlueScreen.

The Avast Devs can come up with any fix they like but that won't help if you can't start Windows.  And how do you propose doing a repair and clean install if you cannot get Windows to start....?

T.
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Alikhan on October 21, 2013, 11:26:27 PM
Alikhan, it is very difficult to do ANYTHING when you cannot get Windows to start or if you can you get a BlueScreen.

The Avast Devs can come up with any fix they like but that won't help if you can't start Windows.  And how do you propose doing a repair and clean install if you cannot get Windows to start....?

T.

Can't you boot into Safe Mode with networking?
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: chris.. on October 21, 2013, 11:44:55 PM
Alikhan, it is very difficult to do ANYTHING when you cannot get Windows to start or if you can you get a BlueScreen.

The Avast Devs can come up with any fix they like but that won't help if you can't start Windows.  And how do you propose doing a repair and clean install if you cannot get Windows to start....?

T.
Yes when Os is out , it's too late to apply patches (I just hope at this time that no many users have their pc quite dead)

@Alikhan:as far I'm concerned it was not possible to boot in safemode (with or without network , even last know good config not able anymore)

The only way is to do something like tabvla said : with an other hdd clean (or maybe by DOS command with console windows on cd)
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Alikhan on October 21, 2013, 11:46:51 PM
Doesn't pressing F8 before the Windows logo load suffice?
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: yomiguel54 on October 21, 2013, 11:56:37 PM
Alikhan, it is very difficult to do ANYTHING when you cannot get Windows to start or if you can you get a BlueScreen.

The Avast Devs can come up with any fix they like but that won't help if you can't start Windows.  And how do you propose doing a repair and clean install if you cannot get Windows to start....?

T.
Yes when Os is out , it's too late to apply patches (I just hope at this time that no many users have their pc quite dead)

@Alikhan:as far I'm concerned it was not possible to boot in safemode (with or without network , even last know good config not able anymore)

The only way is to do something like tabvla said : with an other hdd clean (or maybe by DOS command with console windows on cd)
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: essexboy on October 21, 2013, 11:58:15 PM
Go to this thread   http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0 and start from here :

Quote
If you cannot  Boot the computer

Please print these instruction out so that you know what you are doing

•Download OTLPENet.exe  to your desktop
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: DionC on October 22, 2013, 04:21:39 AM
Alikhan, it is very difficult to do ANYTHING when you cannot get Windows to start or if you can you get a BlueScreen.

The Avast Devs can come up with any fix they like but that won't help if you can't start Windows.  And how do you propose doing a repair and clean install if you cannot get Windows to start....?

T.
Yes when Os is out , it's too late to apply patches (I just hope at this time that no many users have their pc quite dead)

@Alikhan:as far I'm concerned it was not possible to boot in safemode (with or without network , even last know good config not able anymore)

The only way is to do something like tabvla said : with an other hdd clean (or maybe by DOS command with console windows on cd)

I upgraded Avast on three computers only to discover that they all malfunctioned after the upgrade.  Not sure what everyone else's problem is with safe mode - it worked fine for me on all three machines.  My computers all booted up but would not work properly.  But, I couldn't open Control Panel to perform the uninstall from there.  I had to use safe mode (no network, no command prompt).  (I have never had a restore to a restore point work successfully, so I didn't even go that route).
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Tabvla on October 22, 2013, 12:25:14 PM
Go to this thread   http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0 and start from here :

Quote
If you cannot  Boot the computer

Please print these instruction out so that you know what you are doing

•Download OTLPENet.exe  to your desktop

Perhaps I am having a slow day or I just need an extra strong cup of coffee this morning but I fail to understand how anything in the quoted post above is of relevance to this issue.

This is NOT a malware issue.  This is a BUG in the Avast 2014 update that applies to XP computers.  The bug will affect different computers in different ways depending on exactly the setup on the specific computer.

A "fix" from Avast (when available) will only be able to be applied to those computers that are able to boot.  If the computer won't boot, or BlueScreens soon after booting or freezes during or after booting then no "fix" in this world (or perhaps even the next) will fix the problem.


T.
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: chris.. on October 22, 2013, 01:58:35 PM
Right with you but I think what essexboy means about this tool is not only about malware issue but log may help to understand where the issue came from , maybe (I don't know) recovers an aviable registry to boot again normaly
Like you said before , when your boot is near dead (even with safe mode) you have no many possibility , so there are only few tools to access HDD (UBCD?),and thanks essexboy to purpose one I never seen before (just avast say OLT.exe is not very sure  ;D)
Nb:I tried this morning FRST on my pc (OS mounted) and ".txt" let me see a lot of my last month history like registries error , files deleted / modified when pb occurs .....

Quote
All analysts below are volunteers and are not associated with Avast
thanks  ;) maybe less hotline than avast but sure more effective
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: essexboy on October 22, 2013, 03:39:10 PM
@Tabvla that programme will enable you to access windows on a Reatogo desktop and FRST will enable me to remove Avast safely.  My tools have other uses than just malware :)
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Tabvla on October 22, 2013, 04:01:20 PM
Thanks for the explanation Essexboy......  I did mention that I may need an extra strong coffee to comprehend  :o

T.
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: ManfromUN on October 22, 2013, 04:57:45 PM
I Installed on 3 XP Machines and they gave 3 different kind of problems: Slow shutdown , Not start at all, No desktop. The second on, wouldn't get passed the manufacturers logo screen on start up. Just like mentioned here before. It really was bit for bit that the logo appeared. After about 20 minutes I coluld press F2 to get into BIOS. Than I left the BIOS without changing anything. From that moment on, this PC worked well and started as quick as with version 8.
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: FinAnalyst on October 22, 2013, 05:00:29 PM
I have a similar problem on Windows XP SP3:

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=136785.msg1006128#msg1006128
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: HooKsTeR on October 23, 2013, 02:38:56 AM
I wouldn't mess with the registry at all...

Just wait for the Avast devs to come out with a fix.

Until then, have you tried a repair or a clean install?

You can do the same thing without removing the effected systems Hard Drive, Just boot system with "Hiren's Boot CD or USB Thumb" and load Mini-XP then use the File Manager and browse to the System32 folder to delete or rename the file.
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Batzilla on October 23, 2013, 05:00:56 AM
I have had to come into the Shop today and this was the solution I came up with test/worked on two Computers already
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=137732.0
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: srank on October 30, 2013, 03:41:02 PM
The fssfltr_tdi.sys issue is caused by the Family Safety from Microsoft Security Essentials.


To solve this problem you need to uninstall Family Safety. If you can't find it on "Add or remove programs" you need first to download and install from Microsoft. Then uninstall Family Safety


Probably you also need to remove avast! with avastclear tool and make a clean install.


Best Regards
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: RadioMan1975 on October 30, 2013, 04:02:31 PM
Hi,I'm running windows XP Professional SP3 and bought Avast Premier,when a product update came up to update to this new version all went well til i rebooted and was faced with a BSOD - Blue Screen Of Death,i then uninstalled and tried again with the same affect!
Does anyone know what is causing this problem? Thanks
(I'm temporary using Avast Free and Zonealarm free firewall with no problems)
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: tsgtech on October 31, 2013, 05:49:21 PM
Removing the Microsoft Family Safety program fixed the issue for me.  The app is a part of Windows Live Essentials or just Windows Essentials.  Go here for info on removing Family Safety:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/family-safety-remove-uninstall-faq

Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: FinAnalyst on October 31, 2013, 09:21:22 PM
The fssfltr_tdi.sys issue is caused by the Family Safety from Microsoft Security Essentials.

To solve this problem you need to uninstall Family Safety. If you can't find it on "Add or remove programs" you need first to download and install from Microsoft. Then uninstall Family Safety


I do not have Windows Essentials installed, and thus I do not have Family Safety either.  My particular problem with Windows XP SP3 still remains.

By the way, some on this forum are tracing the problem to an Avast conflict with a particular Windows file.

How do I detect which Windows file that Avast has a conflict with, upon system boot-up?  Is there a special program for that?
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: HooKsTeR on October 31, 2013, 09:49:23 PM
Hi,
I think you can rename aswSP.sys to ".bak" with an other HDD or with recup console.
I don't know if this file cause issue but I spent WE with the same issue (logged in user desktop near 30 min but without BleuScreen , same freeze in safe mode).
I hope for you just to, delete/rename file will be OK before you erase/rename (like I have done with an other pc) all 5 registry files.
Now it's good for me except I'am afraid to install avast again , I think I 'll go back to v8 at least a month  ;D

If you have another system D/L a copy of Hiren's Boot CD burn it and run Mini-XP off it at boot. You'll be able to access your local HD and browse to your Windows\System32 folder and either rename both "aswSP.sys" & "aswRvrt.sys" or delete them, those were the files on my systems that Safe Mode would stop at when trying to boot, once I deleted them I was able to get a normal boot after then Uninstalling Avast v9x first through Windows Add Remove Programs then booting to Safe Mode and running Avastclear.

Hiren's D/L Link: http://www.hirensbootcd.org/files/Hirens.BootCD.15.2.zip

Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: chris.. on October 31, 2013, 10:29:07 PM
The fssfltr_tdi.sys issue is caused by the Family Safety from Microsoft Security Essentials.

To solve this problem you need to uninstall Family Safety. If you can't find it on "Add or remove programs" you need first to download and install from Microsoft. Then uninstall Family Safety


I do not have Windows Essentials installed, and thus I do not have Family Safety either.  My particular problem with Windows XP SP3 still remains.

By the way, some on this forum are tracing the problem to an Avast conflict with a particular Windows file.

How do I detect which Windows file that Avast has a conflict with, upon system boot-up?  Is there a special program for that?

I found fssfltr_tdi.sys file angry against avast 2014 instal because there remain some [fatal] error in the temp avast instal log about this file:
Path : C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AVAST Software\Persistent Data\Avast\Logs
Maybe you can go there to see?
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: HooKsTeR on October 31, 2013, 10:45:31 PM
The fssfltr_tdi.sys issue is caused by the Family Safety from Microsoft Security Essentials.

To solve this problem you need to uninstall Family Safety. If you can't find it on "Add or remove programs" you need first to download and install from Microsoft. Then uninstall Family Safety


I do not have Windows Essentials installed, and thus I do not have Family Safety either.  My particular problem with Windows XP SP3 still remains.

By the way, some on this forum are tracing the problem to an Avast conflict with a particular Windows file.

How do I detect which Windows file that Avast has a conflict with, upon system boot-up?  Is there a special program for that?

I found fssfltr_tdi.sys file angry against avast 2014 instal because there remain some [fatal] error in the temp avast instal log about this file:
Path : C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AVAST Software\Persistent Data\Avast\Logs
Maybe you can go there to see?

The file "fssfltr_tdi.sys" does not exist on any of the 3 systems I have had this boot issue with either Normal or Safe Mode and yet none of those 3 systems would boot till I removed the files using "Hiren's Boot CD".
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: lasarian on April 12, 2014, 10:21:39 PM
Sorry to burst bubbles but is not just XP!!!!  Freezes occur in windows 7 as well!!!!  Is pissing me off too!!


Las
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Eddy on April 12, 2014, 10:46:43 PM
You do realize that avast 2014.9.0.2017 is already out?
So bothering with 2014.9.0.2014?
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: DavidR on April 12, 2014, 10:55:58 PM
Sorry to burst bubbles but is not just XP!!!!  Freezes occur in windows 7 as well!!!!  Is pissing me off too!!
Las

The topic you posted in is almost six months old relating to avast version 9.0.2006 and much will have changed since then. If you have a problem with the current version, then you should start a new topic.

You do realize that avast 2014.9.0.2017 is already out?
So bothering with 2014.9.0.2014?

The avast 2014 9.0.2017 version is a beta build, the latest  avast version is 2014 9.0.2016.
Title: Re: Avast Free 2014 Update causes Windows to Freeze
Post by: Ironic on April 13, 2014, 11:47:21 PM
And its ever since I've updated to (AIS) 2014.9.o.2016 that AvastSvc calls up svchost.exe to use 100% of CPU resources. I'm running Process Hacker and watching each and every time I freeze up, or network stops working, or Avast won't load, etc. ALL of these symptoms will happen if ANY program is calling up svchost to consume 100% of CPU resources. If those people that have the Avast won't start- have them wait 15 minutes from the time they boot up to log in, Avast will start- this all started with the latest update, this is not dependent on the OS. I've done the scans for malware and virus's. I done the repair install, I ran a rescue cd with the latest definitions. I'm willing to bet if I uninstalled Avast I won't have the issue of svchost.exe consuming 100% of CPU resources. Avast's latest program update has issues, please examine that possibilty as opposed to having people go every which way in trying to fix something thats NOT broke- look into the Avast program itself and kill all these issues with one shot.