* Introducing * - beta version of upcoming avast update (4.6.760)

[Vlk]

Update Jan 28, 2006: the new build has now been officially released as 4.6.763. Beta users can invoke program update to return to the release stream and get the latest official version. Thanks to everyone who helped testing.

Hi *,

here I'm again. An avast Home/Pro update is coming soon (my guess is in about a week) and as usual, it's my pleasure to announce the availability of a pre-release version of this update.

How to install it (for starters - most people already know this trick anyway ): simply download and run the following program: http://files.avast.com/files/beta/aswbeta.exe . That's about all it takes (provided you have the latest version of avast Home/Pro already installed, of course).


There is a number of fixes in this release and a couple of new features as well. To name a few - (hopefully) improved computer shutdown speeds, better handling of UUencoded files, possibility to control a scheduled scan (Pro version only), screensaver support in 64-bit Windows etc.

Also, this release adds Chinese (both Simplified and Traditional) language version.


Any comments on this release are welcome and appreciated!


Thanks
Vlk

[CharleyO]

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Hi Vik,

I have downloaded and installed the beta. All went well though I do not notice any change what-so-ever. Should I see a difference ... such as Avast being labled as beta?


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[essexboy]

Ta Vlk got it and running

[DavidR]

Just about finished downloading it (dial-up is sooo slooow).

[MaDonna]

Good morning...I have downloaded asbeta.exe.

I have not installed it yet.I  currentlyI have 4.6 Home installed.

Do I have to uninstall it or can I install over it?

Also, is this beta versiion the same exact version that will come out later this week that    will not be a beta?

Thanks....

[CharleyO]

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MaDonna,

Beta versions are for testing and, depending on the outcome, something may change in the final release version.   

As Vlk mentioned in his original post ... " simply download and run the following program: http://files.avast.com/files/beta/aswbeta.exe . That's about all it takes (provided you have the latest version of avast Home/Pro already installed, of course)."

It will install over your the one you have now. You have 4.6 which is the lastest version.   


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[MaDonna]

Thank you...all working well....

[YLAP]

Ok, I've found one new big problem, which started with beta installation. MS Outlook plugin fails on scanning any mail (incoming, outgoing, on open). In the other hand, certification is inserted... Something is not working with plugin. Checked all possible problems, but found nothing, so now I'm posting it. Seems to be a bug. Hope it will be fixed soon. MS Outlook 2003 here.

[XMAS]

Just installed the beta

And I've noticed that there is new option in the Troubleshooting section, called "Stop the scanning on level core in the OS" or something like that(I am using the Bulgarian version). What this option mean?

[igor]

It also says "Don't change unless instructed to do so"

Normally, part of avast! scanning is performed in kernel mode (you can say "in driver"). For the user, there's no difference between kernel- and application-mode scanning - with one exception. If the underlying hardware is unstable (overheating CPU, bad RAM modules, ...), errors may occur - an error in application-mode results in program crash; an error in kernel-mode, however, results in bluscreen. So, this option is there just to help us with some troubleshooting (where spontaneous reboots occur).

[XMAS]

It also says "Don't change unless instructed to do so"

Normally, part of avast! scanning is performed in kernel mode (you can say "in driver"). For the user, there's no difference between kernel- and application-mode scanning - with one exception. If the underlying hardware is unstable (overheating CPU, bad RAM modules, ...), errors may occur - an error in application-mode results in program crash; an error in kernel-mode, however, results in bluscreen. So, this option is there just to help us with some troubleshooting (where spontaneous reboots occur).

Thanks Igor Shouldn't this info be added to the help files?

[Vlk]

Ok, I've found one new big problem, which started with beta installation. MS Outlook plugin fails on scanning any mail (incoming, outgoing, on open). In the other hand, certification is inserted... Something is not working with plugin. Checked all possible problems, but found nothing, so now I'm posting it. Seems to be a bug. Hope it will be fixed soon. MS Outlook 2003 here.

Thanks YLAP, your right, this is a bug in the beta. It will be fixed shortly.

[igor]

As Vlk noted, I've done some changes to the screensave code. It should affect 64bit environment only, but just to be sure - if anybody is using avast! screensaver, please check that it's working the same as it did before.
Thanks!

[XMAS]

As Vlk noted, I've done some changes to the screensave code. It should affect 64bit environment only, but just to be sure - if anybody is using avast! screensaver, please check that it's working the same as it did before.
Thanks!

Just tested it. And I've noticed something: when I use 2D screen saver(for example Windows Starfield) everything is ok, but when I use 3D screen saver(for example Window 3D Text) the screen saver is running and a scanning is running, but there is no blue status window while scanning. Is this normal?

[igor]

I'm afraid it's normal.
avast! can interract with the ordinary screensavers (i.e. add its own window into the screensaver's "painting"), but it's not able to work with 3D ones (who switch to OpenGL, or something like that).