Avast4.db has grown too large - What are my options?

[tomewilson]

I have been using Avast on my Win2003 server for a little over a year now.  It's installed on the Windows/Programs partition of the server, which is pretty small (20Gb). 

I recently noticed that I'm quickly running out of room.  After performing a search for large files, I noticed that the Avast4.db file (C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\Avast4.db) has grown to 7,425,393KB and is the largest file on the drive.

Is there a way that I can move Avast4.db to my data partition (which has plenty of space) and not mess anything up?  If not, what are my options?

I hope someone can help, because there is only 1.5GB left on the Windows/Programs partition, so I can't risk it growing any larger.

-Tome

[igor]

Do you have any past scan sessions stored in avast!?

[tomewilson]

Not that I know of. 

How do I check?

[Tech]

Sessions folder of avast pro interface.

[tomewilson]

I have Sessions listed all the way back to May.

I'll delete them and see what happens.

Thank you very much for the advice! 

[tomewilson]

So, I attempted to delete the session logs all at once, and Avast! hung up for about 30 minutes. 

I force-quit the interface and then tried to delete them one at a time.

It's been 20 minutes since I clicked DELETE on the first session log, and it's still hanging.

 

[tomewilson]

I've been working on this all morning and still no luck.

The sessions will not delete.  Regardless of whether I choose one session or all sessions, when I click DELETE, Avast! hangs up (screen turns white, hourglass keeps spinning, etc.).  The only way to regain control of the program is to force quit and restart.

It looks like I'm going to have to uninstall.

As for contacting Avast! Support, I wrote them an email before posting here with the same info I posted originally.  I received a response this morning (about 12 hours later) with the following useless message.

_____________________________

Hello,

Thank you for contacting our support center with your concerns.

We do not recommend you to move any files installed in default folder.

If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me again.

With Kind Regards,


Petr Bucek
Technical Support
Alwil Software a.s.

_____________________________

 

[tomewilson]

Status Report

I've uninstalled Avast! and reclaimed 9Gb on my main partition.

I have downloaded a fresh copy of the program to install on my data partition.  However, when I double-click to install it, the only thing that comes up is a tan bar with two folder icons (one on each side) with an animation of files being copied from one to the other.

This animation continues for about 30 seconds, then it goes away.  Nothing happens after that.

When I check Windows Task Manager, I see that Avast! is nowhere to be found.

WTF Avast?

Worst $300 I've ever spent.

[wpn]

its possible that your download got corrupted. download the program again, maybe from another source (i believe there are 2 sources, avast servers and download.com or cnet.com)

also did u run the avast uninstaller tool: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html

if possible in the pro version, make sure that the database cleanup task runs every week or month, i know its possible to run it in ADNM, not sure in Pro tho....

[tomewilson]

Hi WPN,

I've since replaced Avast! with a different antivirus.

I was running Avast Server Edition, and did try using the Avast Uninstaller Tool.

When I installed the new antivirus (which wasn't fun given the lack of space on the drive), it discovered and removed the the Avast installation for me.  Now, everything is running smoothly again.

[wpn]

too bad avast didnt work out for you
goodluck with the other packages