Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: sweets on June 23, 2007, 02:47:48 PM
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Sorry but I'm new to this free version of Avast 4.7 Home Edition. I have two adware files stored in my virus chest. I've left them alone there for over a week. Is there somewhere you can direct me that tells me what to do with them? Do I leave them there, delete them? I'm using Windows XP SP 2 Home Edition.
These are the two I found stored in the chest:
A0033453.dll C:\System Volume Information\_restore 6/14/2005 6:56:30..
6/17/2007 12:39 Win32:Adware-g...
and
desrcas.dll c:\program files\mywaysa\srchasde 6/14/2005 6:56:30...
6/17/2007 11:20:5... Win32:Adware-g...
I ran another scan after I turned off system restore with no more adware found. Please let me know what I should do next. Thank you.
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There is no rush to delete anything from the chest, a protected area where it can do no harm. Anything that you send to the chest you should leave there for a few weeks. If after that time you have suffered no adverse effects from moving these to the chest, scan them again (inside the chest) and if they are still detected as viruses, delete them.
Welcome to avast forums.
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Thank you I will leave them alone for a couple more weeks, I scanned them and found they were still detected as viruses, although I believe them to be adware. By suffer no adverse effects I take it you mean any problems with using my computer? Is there a link where I can read up on the virus chest and not have to bother you?
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By suffer no adverse effects I take it you mean any problems with using my computer?
Yes, you've understood me.
Is there a link where I can read up on the virus chest and not have to bother you?
You're not bothering me, just asking for help 8)
avast help file (F1) is a good start. Other will be browsing (and searching) the forums.
Anyway, feel free to ask any question about avast!
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Thank you,
You are a good person! I can't tell you how many people I've run into giving technical help with other programs that hate what they do & it's reflected in their responses to others.
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Thank you, You are a good person! I can't tell you how many people I've run into giving technical help with other programs that hate what they do & it's reflected in their responses to others.
I see... I can't find a reason for people to get angry just because others ask for help.
Anyway, if I hate what I do, I won't be here helping for free since a long time 8)
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Thanks, please tell me where I can find the Help File (F1)
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Thanks, please tell me where I can find the Help File (F1)
Start avast antivirus, right click the skin and choose Help.
or
Start avast antivirus, press F1
or
<avast folder>\English\Help\help.chm
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I ran a "standard scan" checking everything to be scanned before the actual scan. However afterwards the results of the scan showed "Unable to scan" on most of the files. It did take about half an hour to run. I was wondering what I did wrong? How do I run a thorough scan, what do I click on?
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I ran a "standard scan" checking everything to be scanned before the actual scan. However afterwards the results of the scan showed "Unable to scan" on most of the files. It did take about half an hour to run. I was wondering what I did wrong? How do I run a thorough scan, what do I click on?
avast can't scan files that are password protected, the ones that have an unknown packaging method, the files in use.
There are many legitimate reasons why a file can't be scanned.
By examining 1) the reason given by avast! for not being able to scan the files, 2) the location of the files, you can get an idea of what program they relate to. You may need to expand the column headings to see all the text.
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I ran another scan, the entire scan took 28 minutes, there were no infected files however after the scan it read, all files were "unable to scan" How could that be?
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Help file Windows Start button, All Programs, avast! Antivirus, Help or "C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH\HELP\help.chm."
If you can give some examples of the files and their locations that can't be scanned ?
Many programs (usually security based ones) password protect their files for legitimate reasons such as AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy, there are others (and avast doesn't know the password or have any way of using it even if it did know it).
When you run scans with the above programs and you delete harmful entries that they detect, a copy is kept (in quarantine/restore/backup) in case you need to reverse what you did. These are usually password protected, you should do some housekeeping and delete old backup/recovery/quarantine entries (older than two weeks or so), this will reduce the numbers of files that can't be scanned.
By examining 1) the reason given by avast! for not being able to scan the files, 2) the location of the files, you can get an idea of what program they relate to. You may need to expand the column headings to see all the text.
Files that can't be scanned are just that, not an indication they are suspicious/infected, just unable to be scanned.
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I ran a "thorough scan" including archive files took 40 minutes. The "results of the last scan" screen listed 63 lines all lines read "unable to scan" under results. I don't understand if it took 40 minutes that it was unable to scan. Can you explain this? Everything on the screen including C:\Documents and Settings..., C:\Program Files..., and C:\RECYCLER... Does this mean nothing is being scanned? What is wrong?
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In addition to the above I should tell you there are two files sitting in the Virus Chest as a result of the first scan. Maybe this has something to do with the problem? The menu page says "292169/4812 Number of scanned files/folders"
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I ran a "thorough scan" including archive files took 40 minutes. The "results of the last scan" screen listed 63 lines all lines read "unable to scan" under results. I don't understand if it took 40 minutes that it was unable to scan. Can you explain this?
I though I just had ?
avast tells you why it can't be scanned, not just that it can't be scanned, you need to look at that reason and if necessary expand the column width to see the complete text.
Everything on the screen including C:\Documents and Settings..., C:\Program Files..., and C:\RECYCLER... Does this mean nothing is being scanned? What is wrong?
You should have also seen how many files were scanned in the Simple User Interface, Tested Files which will be increasing during the scan and on completion of the scan you will see the size of the files scanned and the duration. So you should see what is being scanned.
Files in the chest will have no impact on whether other files are scanned or not, that is down to the files location and properties, if it is protected, etc.
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Does this mean nothing is being scanned? What is wrong?
Did you change the 'Exclusion' lists of avast? If not, you must post the full path (without ...) of the 'excluded' files for us to judge.
In addition to the above I should tell you there are two files sitting in the Virus Chest as a result of the first scan. Maybe this has something to do with the problem? The menu page says "292169/4812 Number of scanned files/folders"
Again, which are the file name and path, and the virus name of these infected files.
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I will have to answer these questions next week when i'm in front of that machine again. If you could please be patient with me. But there was no expanded reason why any particular file was not scanned. When I clicked on one or any file it just read "unable to scan" but all files in the "results of the last scan" box were "unable to scan". Please tell me how to change the exclusion list for next week when I'm in front of the machine with Avast again.
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I will have to answer these questions next week when i'm in front of that machine again. If you could please be patient with me.
Sure we'll be here :)
But there was no expanded reason why any particular file was not scanned. When I clicked on one or any file it just read "unable to scan" but all files in the "results of the last scan" box were "unable to scan".
You must have a 'small' column width and you're not seeing the reason that should be there. Unable to scan due to program settings, for instance.
Please tell me how to change the exclusion list for next week when I'm in front of the machine with Avast again.
You need to use the Exclusion lists:
For the Standard Shield provider (on-access scanning):
Left click the 'a' blue icon, click on the provider icon at left and then Customize.
Go to Advanced tab and click on Add button...
For the other providers (on-demand scanning such as the screen-saver or the Simple User Interface):
Right click the 'a' blue icon, click Program Settings.
Go to Exclusions tab and click on Add button...
You can use wildcards like * and ?.
But be careful, you should 'exclude' that many files that let your system in danger.
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Don't understand! If it takes 40 minutes to do a thorough scan & still read unable to scan on all files then what's taking 40 minutes?
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Don't understand! If it takes 40 minutes to do a thorough scan & still read unable to scan on all files then what's taking 40 minutes?
39 minutes is to scan the files that need/can be scanned.
1 minute is to check that some files can't be scanned 8)
There is nothing to do unscannable files with the duration of the scanning.
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The time taken has nothing to do with files being able to be scanned or not.
A file that is password protected won't be scanned if the scan takes 1 minute or on hour or if the scan if quick or thorough.
avast does, by default indicate why a file can't be scanned at the end of the scan, see image 1 default window size, see image 2 window expanded and column width expanded to see reason why the file can't be scanned..
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ALL FILES on the "results of the last scan" box say "unable to scan". If all files were unable to scan then what's taking 40 minutes? And when I click on one line for an expnded reason there's nothing more there.
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I would say ignore that option I never look at it as any file truly 'unable to be scanned' will be listed automatically after the scan as in my images.
This is typical of the entries you are talking about, but they aren't saying 'unable to be scanned' which we are taking as something entirely different, hence our responses.
D:\Data\persdict.dat [E] File was skipped because of scanner settings. (42016)
The home version doesn't really have and saved data for scans and I believe you have enabled the skipped files in the report setup and I believe that is unchecked by default.
Though I have no idea why these would be listed as being 'skipped because of scanner settings. (42016)'
Are you doing a Local Disks scan or Folder Selection ?
I suspect you are using Folder Selections because if you tick selective folders then every other folder unchecked would be skipped as a result of your selections in the scanner settings.
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If all files were unable to scan then what's taking 40 minutes?
Which is "all files" here? "All" but "all" files in your computer? I can't believe... maybe "some" files aren't being scanned...
And when I click on one line for an expnded reason there's nothing more there.
Can you post a screenshot?
To know how to post a screenshot, see http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=8982.0
You can use Gadwin PrintScreen to get a screenshot (http://www.gadwin.com/printscreen/) or the free version of WinSnap 1.1.10 (http://www.filehippo.com/download_winsnap/?2173).
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Sorry I can't do any of the things mentioned until I am in front of that computer again next week. But I did check all folders to be scanned including archive.
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I decided that this a-v program is too much trouble to continue with. I had an old copy of AVG free which I installed & had none of the problems after runninng scans that I had above with Avast. I welcome any comments.
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I can't believe that you would consider giving up at this point after all the help you have received, we are trying to help you get the best out of avast. Yes it is different to what you may have used in the past and probably a steep learning curve, to just give up now seems a waste to me.
There is absolutely no way you would get me going back to AVG after over three years with avast, the most configurable and flexible AV I have ever used and better than AVG to boot, don;t take my word for it many reviews confirm this, http://www.av-comparatives.org/ (http://www.av-comparatives.org/), etc.
However, it is your system and your choice, I just hope you never need help with it as support for the free version is virtually non-existent, good luck.
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I welcome any comments.
If you gave up... why comment?
On-demand scanning of AVG is faster than with avast.
But AVG is very poor in tons of other features. I'm an ex-AVG user. Won't get back...
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I will consider your comments & really do appreciate your help, please don't be angry with me. It's just because I've used AVG before with no problems, their support forum is actually quite good & I did remove some nasty pests with their aid.
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Please don't be angry with me.
I'm not angry... you're losing avast 8)
AVG ... their support forum is actually quite good
It must have changed a lot... The forum I've known was a joke, slow, non-responsive... dead...
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AVG's user support forum is very helpful despite being very demanding as to stating exactly what settings you have & exactly what type of errors noted, but they've helped me through several times with viruses detected, I-Stration in particular.
I was going to install them originally however their download would get corrupted several times when downloaded on this slow dialup pc. Avast's download went smoothly but quite frankly after the first scan I was lost. I hope to be able to manage it better on another computer in the future. Can you tell me exactly why you feel Avast's free version is better than AVG's?
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I though I did in this post, http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=29021.msg238870#msg238870 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=29021.msg238870#msg238870). AVG doesn't have a boot-time scan function, there are some of the avast providers that AVG doesn't have an equivalent to. avast is far more configurable and flexible. But I won't try to change your mind, that decision is up to you, read the reviews, compare functions. AVG failed the last VB100, avast didn't.
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Can you tell me exactly why you feel Avast's free version is better than AVG's?
Besides what David posted, I'll say the configurability, the number of providers, the skins, the update process are better on avast than AVG.
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What exactly is "the number of providers" mean?
What does number of skins have to do with actual virus protection? Besides the boot-up scan, do you think the actual virus protection capabilities are superior?
I didn't care for the boot up scan & disabled it. How is confiurability & updating superior?
I am asking these questions not to be derogatory in any way but I really want to know. I hope you don't think I'm being anything but inquisitive.
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What exactly is "the number of providers" mean?
IM, P2P, NetShield, WebShield, Internet Mail (Outlook plugin), Standard Shield, Script Blocker (Pro version) are providers of avast.
What does number of skins have to do with actual virus protection?
Nothing. It's an 'extra' feature.
Besides the boot-up scan, do you think the actual virus protection capabilities are superior?
Well, from times to times it is lower, most of the times, it's better than AVG.
I didn't care for the boot up scan & disabled it.
It's not to run every boot... only when needed.
How is confiurability
Click, for instance, 'Settings' in my signature and you'll find how flexible is avast.
updating superior?
AVG has only one free server to update. avast has 50 or more... So, you get your update and with AVG you wait, wait...