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Business Products => Archive (Legacy) => Avast Business => Avast Endpoint Protection => Topic started by: VCW on December 17, 2012, 05:36:07 PM
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Been having an issue for some time where Windows 7 (32bit and 64 bit) and Windows Vista computers in a domain environment are getting stuck at the Please wait... screen. Has happened with many of our clients, but only Windows 7/Vista machines with EPSP installed in a domain environment. It also only seems to happen after a reboot due to Windows Updates being installed. We've been able to fix this 2 different ways: booting into safe mode a random amount of times to allow Windows Updates to revert or booting into safe mode and removing avast! using ASWCLEAR. Windows Updates seem to install afterwards and avast! may be re-installed without issue.
Has anyone else run into this issue?
(http://i.imgur.com/1efQA.jpg?1)
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We've seen the same issue here, although so far only on Win7 PCs. As per your experience, a random number of reboots into safe mode does seem to sort it out.
I hadn't considered Avast could be a factor but it has to be said that we've recently moved from Avast 4 to 7 and the problem does seem to have appeared since then.
When the next PC goes I'll try removing Avast and see what happens.
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It's been discussed...
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=105474.0
Short version is if you have windows 7 or later, set the avast! net service to delayed start, and yes we've had the issue here in the past, always after a Microsoft patch tuesday...
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thank you thank you thank you thank you!
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We have a rather new deployment of avast and seem to be getting hit by this, although not really related to windows updates as those are turned off. At this point what is the suggested workaround, just delay start the avast netservice ? Or do we also need to set the regular avast server to manual startup going on the idea that the netservice will start the regular avast service ? Is there anyway to change the startup type of the avast service when windows is running ? I receive an access is denied message when trying it as the local admin on the pc.
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Install the latest Service Pack for Vista.
Make sure to uninstall any remnants from the old AV you have been using.
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Install the latest Service Pack for Vista.
Make sure to uninstall any remnants from the old AV you have been using.
We are on windows 7.
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Same issue here. We're a larger shop with new EPS clients that were installed as an upgrade over Avast 4.8 Pro. This past week we've had 5 clients with "Please Wait" stuck on Windows 7. Typically we restart the computer in Safe Mode, then reboot out back to Normal Mode to get it booted correctly. In one case we had to completely uninstall Avast EPS client, reboot into Normal Mode and re-install. Then it seems to work okay. Getting annoying though...
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Same issue here. We're a larger shop with new EPS clients that were installed as an upgrade over Avast 4.8 Pro. This past week we've had 5 clients with "Please Wait" stuck on Windows 7. Typically we restart the computer in Safe Mode, then reboot out back to Normal Mode to get it booted correctly. In one case we had to completely uninstall Avast EPS client, reboot into Normal Mode and re-install. Then it seems to work okay. Getting annoying though...
Are you getting repeat's, where it is happening to the same people over and over ? I have noticed using manual for avast and delayed start for avast client service, if you leave the machine running for 5 minutes or so, the services then start before logging on (which is a problem if it is the first boot after booting into safe mode). It seems once its gets stuck, you get in and start things correctly it is then ok, but for how long I don't know, we are not far enough into it at this point. I agree that it is getting annoying and there needs to be a better resolution.
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However, I don't see that service on Windows 7 or Windows 8. The only Avast services for the EPS client are:
avast! Antivirus
avast! Enterprise Client Services
Both are set to Automatic. Which one do I set to delayed to solve the Please Wait problem?
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However, I don't see that service on Windows 7 or Windows 8. The only Avast services for the EPS client are:
avast! Antivirus
avast! Enterprise Client Services
Both are set to Automatic. Which one do I set to delayed to solve the Please Wait problem?
Once in safe mode, we were setting avast! Antivirus to manual and avast! Enterprise Client Services to automatic-delayed. The Enterprise Client depends on avast! Antivirus so it will start that one once it tries to start itself. I was doing this based on the suggestion in another post here. Only problem with this obviously is that you have no AV running until the services start.
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We are a school and in the initial testing of using Avast.
I had not put 2 and 2 together until this thread. I have over 90 computers doing this right now. Going to each machine and manually changing the startup of Avast is really not a good option... neither is having 3 labs down at the moment.
Changing the services to Manual and Delay Start does appear to solve the problem.
Any word from Avast on a solution?
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We have seen this in every customer site affecting literally hundreds of pcs. We see the problem not only in Windows 7 and Vista, but we believe it also manifests itself in Windows XP as being stuck at "applying computer settings"
Agree with carbm1- when you have tens of computers affected at the same time it is embarrassing for us as we recommended avast, and/or costly for the client who will have to pay for all the unnecessary repeat work.
The workaround of delaying services for most enterprises it is a BIG problem as there is no AV running until the services start! Also this doesn't work in XP as there is no option to delay start services.
We've already had one customer who smelled a rat and told us he knows this didn't happen before installing avast- so he has demanded we either fix it now or remove avast!
Where is Avast development on this issue? Please fix this so we can sell more avast!
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Install the latest Service Pack for Vista.
Make sure to uninstall any remnants from the old AV you have been using.
Done and done, prior to experiencing the first example of this issue.
Avast support appears to be stuck on "Please wait..." on this issue.
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Install the latest Service Pack for Vista.
Make sure to uninstall any remnants from the old AV you have been using.
Done and done, prior to experiencing the first example of this issue.
Avast support appears to be stuck on "Please wait..." on this issue.
What was the previous antivirus software installed on the systems?
Do you use user folder redirection?
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Install the latest Service Pack for Vista.
Make sure to uninstall any remnants from the old AV you have been using.
Done and done, prior to experiencing the first example of this issue.
Avast support appears to be stuck on "Please wait..." on this issue.
What was the previous antivirus software installed on the systems?
Do you use user folder redirection?
Same problem happening here..
Most of our clients were using avast! version 4 previously.
All of our clients use user folder redirection for My Documents.
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Install the latest Service Pack for Vista.
Make sure to uninstall any remnants from the old AV you have been using.
Done and done, prior to experiencing the first example of this issue.
Avast support appears to be stuck on "Please wait..." on this issue.
What was the previous antivirus software installed on the systems?
Do you use user folder redirection?
Same problem happening here..
Most of our clients were using avast! version 4 previously.
All of our clients use user folder redirection for My Documents.
Try adding the \\* in the File System shield expert settings and enabling the 'Load avast! services after loading other system services' option in the program settings(top-right SETTINGS button > Troubleshooting).
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Install the latest Service Pack for Vista.
Make sure to uninstall any remnants from the old AV you have been using.
Done and done, prior to experiencing the first example of this issue.
Avast support appears to be stuck on "Please wait..." on this issue.
What was the previous antivirus software installed on the systems?
Do you use user folder redirection?
CA eTrustITM 8.1 - altough I'm wondering if for the purposes of this question the previous version should be considered "avast business protection 6..." which was the version prior to v7 that is experincing the please wait issue. If avast 6 is the issue, no we relied upon it's ability to upgrade itself and did not perform a full rip and replace upgrade between 6 and 7...
Yes, we redirect my documents and appdata.
... and enabling the 'Load avast! services after loading other system services' option in the program settings(top-right SETTINGS button > Troubleshooting).
and... the load after other services option was previously tested to have no impact on the issue... Unless somehow that can work in tandem with the network path exlusion you suggest. ??
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Try excluding the \\* in the File System shield expert settings
By the way... This seems a little dangerous to me as a solution for people who redirect shell folders. You are allowing the file system sheild to be bypassed potentially for the following list of locations in the user profile:
Application Data
Desktop
My Documents folder
My Pictures folder
Start menu
In my travels I know I've seen malicous code in at least 4 out of 5 of those locations. anyone reading this thread wants to consider it carefully before making changes.
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Try excluding the \\* in the File System shield expert settings
By the way... This seems a little dangerous to me as a solution for people who redirect shell folders. You are allowing the file system sheild to be bypassed potentially for the following list of locations in the user profile:
Application Data
Desktop
My Documents folder
My Pictures folder
Start menu
In my travels I know I've seen malicous code in at least 4 out of 5 of those locations. anyone reading this thread wants to consider it carefully before making changes.
Yes it is dangerous as every exclusions you add in the software..
It's not a solution, but a basic troubleshooting step for finding the root of the problem.
Regarding your comment above for the previous antivirus:
Are you sure that the CA is fully uninstalled from the system? I would suggest you to check the loaded drivers, modules and services under the 'Software Environment' branch of the MS System Information Utility(msinfo32).
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Yes it is dangerous as every exclusions you add in the software..
If your exclusions are typically a {R}{W}{E} wildcard to a user writable path on the file system. Sure. :)
Regarding your comment above for the previous antivirus:
Are you sure that the CA is fully uninstalled from the system? I would suggest you to check the loaded drivers, modules and services under the 'Software Environment' branch of the MS System Information Utility(msinfo32).
Yes. It's gone.
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Just like to add that we have roughly the same problem. Started last summer when we upgraded from Avast Pro to EPS. Only affects Windows 7 64bit PCs, 32 bit PCs do not show this problem at all.
Happens when Windows updates get installed. Each month with get between 10 and 25 PCs that get stuck at the configuring Windows Updates. It is never the same PCs, although some will suffer again after a few months.
Sometimes a number of restarts will resolve. Sometimes just booting into safe mode and restarting will fix it - but usually the only way is to disable the Avast shields, then install the updates and then re-enable the shields. If I can only get in via safe mode then I will just uninstall Avast and then reinstall after the updates have completed.
Going to keeping watching this thread for a fix as it is getting to be a right PITA. We have over 200 PCs in total of which 150 are 64bit..
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I checked with support when we saw the problem and basically got no where. I sent them links to the discussions in the forums that other customers are having the same problem. They indicated the problem was "very rare" and arent sure if it was avast or something conflicting with avast. If I was the only one with the problem, I would say maybe it was something unique to our environment, but with so many people with the same problem, I don't think that is the case.
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JPaul
Just in case you haven't seen it have a look at this post;
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=105474.msg891046#msg891046
by 1tb. I forgot to mention in my previous post that we went from Avast Pro > Avast Business > Avast EPS. So 1tb's comment fits in with what we are experiencing. I've tried 1tb's solution on a couple of PCs to see if it resolves.
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JPaul
Just in case you haven't seen it have a look at this post;
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=105474.msg891046#msg891046
by 1tb. I forgot to mention in my previous post that we went from Avast Pro > Avast Business > Avast EPS. So 1tb's comment fits in with what we are experiencing. I've tried 1tb's solution on a couple of PCs to see if it resolves.
I saw that, but in the case of of us, did not have a previous version of avast on the machines. We had another av, but it was completely removed.
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Saw v8 on several home machines. Any chance the new release will fix this issue (whenever it is released to the business customers)?
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Saw v8 on several home machines. Any chance the new release will fix this issue (whenever it is released to the business customers)?
From what I understand, avast! still isn't acknowledging it as a problem.
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Saw v8 on several home machines. Any chance the new release will fix this issue (whenever it is released to the business customers)?
From what I understand, avast! still isn't acknowledging it as a problem.
You can say the sun rotates around the earth all you want, but it doesn't make it true.
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I've been having a similar issue. When a user tries to log in, it does one of:
- Pressing CTRL-ALT-DEL makes the "press CTRL-ALT-DEL to log in" text disappear, but the username/password prompt doesn't appear.
- Pressing CTRL-ALT-DEL gives the username/password prompt, but the user then gets stuck at "Welcome..."
Event viewer shows errors from system services timing out. Disabling Avast in safe mode fixes the problem. Reinstalling Avast sometimes fixes it. As these machines are almost constantly used for development, I can't have them unavailable for long periods so I've resorted to uninstalling Avast and installing MSSE on them.
I'd love to have a proper fix for this that doesn't involve constantly reinstalling Avast or installing another product. All the affected machines are running Windows 7. I've just this morning had this occur on my laptop - unable to log in as it gets stuck at "Welcome". Rebooted into safe mode a few times to try to get it working without reinstalling, but so far the only thing that lets me log in is disabling the "avast! Antivirus" service.
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On my network, I've had this happen about 8 times already. I've always solved it by going to Safe Mode and uninstalling avast, restarting, reinstalling avast and restarting again to finish the installation. I'll have to try the delayed services trick. But this problem is bigger when you have servers at a remote location you need to restart and the server could hang as it happened to me once already. Avast support - FIX THIS ISSUE!
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Ive posted before on this, and it continues to be an issue for Win 7 Clients. As mentioned before folder redirection does seem to have some share in this as clients without the redirection never give this issue. Avast, we urgently need a fix for this!
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Im running a Win2k8 R2 domain (2k8 functional level) with folder redirection. Im running the latest client and have yet so far not encountered this problem.
(to make it easier)
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Im running a Win2k8 R2 domain (2k8 functional level) with folder redirection. Im running the latest client and have yet so far not encountered this problem.
(to make it easier)
Most customers I see this are running Avast in a Small Business Server Environment, but not necessarily with SOA. Once Customer has a SBS and a HyperV VM Server with the AEA Console on one of the VMs serving about 70 clients across 2 subnets. It only seems to affect the Windows 7 Clients, Ive never seen it happen on XP. But its not consistent, some customers with very large Avast Deployments never see this issue.
What is true everywhere it happens is:
The client is using folder redirection and the Client upgraded from Avast BP v6
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Im running a Win2k8 R2 domain (2k8 functional level) with folder redirection. Im running the latest client and have yet so far not encountered this problem.
(to make it easier)
What is true everywhere it happens is:
The client is using folder redirection and the Client upgraded from Avast BP v6
We are using folder redirection, but we didn't upgrade from any previous version of Avast. We're testing on machines that are brand new with no prior AV installed at all, so there are no traces of any other AV software to mess things up.
I've only installed and tested on two Windows 7 computers so far, and I've already seen the issue occur on both. Our environment is about 50 servers and 2000 Win 7 clients, so there's no way I'm rolling this out now. We had hoped that Avast would be a good alternative to our current AV solution, but if this doesn't get resolved soon, we're going to scrap the whole thing. Very frustrating.
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It only seems to affect the Windows 7 Clients, Ive never seen it happen on XP.
Here we use folder redirection for "My Documents" and "AppData" - We have seen the issue on XP (32bit), Vista (32bit) and Windows 7 (64bit)... We have a handful of Windows 7 32bit laptops, I can't recall if I've seen the issue on them. SOA console is on a 2008 R2 VM, if we are gathering data.
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BUMP... for solution...
Having had this problem for almost a year now is no where near satisfying...
I really really really love avast for home usage and I've never been a big fan of symantec or any other anti-virus other than Avast - but I must say this: Never before have i been this close to not renewing my 130 licenses and bying a symantec product instead... 1 year of having to fix computers rebooting into safe mode, uninstalling avast, ms updates and whatnot is getting to annoying now. Im close to being done with this product for business use.
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Installing Bitdefender...
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It only seems to affect the Windows 7 Clients, Ive never seen it happen on XP.
It also happens on Server 2008 and Server 2008 R2.
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Yeah happened to us again on another SBS 2011 server in VM after windows updates. After 1 hour stuck at configuring updates, we reset VM and boot into Safe mode to uninstall avast, updates rolled back on reboot, reapply updates. Middle of the night after several hard resets/reboots and waiting around, so now the server appears alive and now too tired/scared to resinstall avast client since we still have more windows updates to apply.
Next day site complained that no mail is received. On investigation we find that the "avast antispam for exchange" agent is still left behind after an uninstall in safe mode. Attempts to remove this component failed, so we tried deploying avast client from the console which resulted in a forced reboot in the middle of the day and very unhappy customer who was without server/phones/shares/email for 15 mins while the server rebooted!
Things to note: some of the windows updates were exchange related (antispam update + rollups)
What a great corporate antivirus solution! You have to uninstall avast client leaving your server unprotected every time you want to apply window updates!! This is a joke.
We also sick of these issues with workstations as well. There have been no updates to Endpoint engine for far too long. Also where is Server 2012 protection coming? - where is Avast 8 for Corporate servers? We need official support now for these new platforms. - WHEN IS IT COMING AVAST TEAM!!
I also have to agree with other posts about when is avast team going to take the corporate solution seriously by providing proper testing/support?
I'm sick of it.. and our customers are sick of paying us to fix things avast breaks... we need to find a new antivirus solution NOW!! >:(
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We just lost a computer to this!
Stuck at "Please Wait" while Windows is configuring updates... stuck there for 30 mins. We power off and go into Safe Mode. It loads up and rolls back the updates - then restarts. The user wasn't quick enough to catch the restart and it loaded back up in normal mode. Tried to reapply the updates - but stuck again. We powered off and back into Safe Mode. Now it won't even go into Safe Mode - just stuck at "Please Wait" even in Safe Mode.
I'm going to have to rebuild the computer - which means the user is losing a day of work.
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*bump*
Has anyone gotten any kind of response from Avast about this problem? The lack of input on their part is very discouraging.
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*bump*
Has anyone gotten any kind of response from Avast about this problem? The lack of input on their part is very discouraging.
Nope. I purchased through a local reseller, so I'd have a lifeline for these issues... Or so I thought. Unfortunately he's only been able to tell me more of the same:
I’m aware of the “please wait” issue and agree it needs to be resolved. I’m in the same boat as everyone else there in that I have to wait for avast to fix the issue.
4 months later, still nothing. :(
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BUMP
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This has happened to me 20-30 times since we upgraded in January. For the record, I can list some things that this problem is NOT related to:
- Folder redirection (we don't use it)
- Small Business Server (Windows 2008 R2 domain)
- Vista (we only have Win7)
- Upgrade from another antivirus product (this problem has manifested itself on clean Win7 installs and brand new PCs with no preinstalled AV)
My fix has been to boot to safe mode, uninstall Avast, reboot, and reinstall Avast. I had to do a repair install of Win7 once but never a full reinstall. I'll try setting the services to Delayed Start.
Avast 4.8 (what we upgraded from) was effortless. Sucks that this is happening and still hasn't been fixed.
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For the record, I can list some things that this problem is NOT related to:
- Folder redirection (we don't use it)
What about roaming profiles?
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I've had this issue happen sporadically on various windows 7 computers. It does tend to happen more frequently around patch Tuesday updates. Its not related to folder redirection, roaming profiles, etc because the "Please Wait" issue occurs prior to the user ever getting the Control Alt Delete screen to log in. Those policies are normally applied after the login. You should not have to disable avast, or run a repair to get past this nuisense problem that Avast needs to resolve. 2 things that always have worked for me. 1. Log in using Safe mode with networking. And do a system restore back to the latest restore point. After the reboot, the system should boot up normally.
2. Another option that works for me is to again login in using safe mode, but login in locally with the local admin account (needs to be enabled prior to trying this when system is functioning normally) Go to MSConfig and choose diagnostic start up-reboot. Boot back into safe mode and login locally again and go to MSConfig and now select normal startup. The PC should reboot and start normally again.
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What about roaming profiles?
Don't use those either.
Its not related to folder redirection, roaming profiles, etc because the "Please Wait" issue occurs prior to the user ever getting the Control Alt Delete screen to log in.
Most of the time it happens at "Please Wait...", but occasionally the user will press Ctrl-Alt-Del, enter their username/password, and then get stuck at "Welcome".
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What really really #"¤"#¤#% me off is the lack of responses from an Avast official.
Gues they dont #"¤"#¤"#4! For people who's been loyal customers for over 6 years.
Never ever ever recommending this product again!!!!! and i used to do it all the time in my last 10+ years as IT Admin to personal and company use.
And i usually never flame forums believe it or not, so above statement all though crude and childl'ish is just a symbol of how FRUSTRATED we are with you or should i say the LACK of you and your responses Avast!!!
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For the record, I can list some things that this problem is NOT related to:
- Folder redirection (we don't use it)
What about roaming profiles?
We're not using roaming profiles, so it's not related to that either. Other than folder redirection, everything that paradox183 listed is true for us as well.
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Okay guys, can you do following:
- Select a machine which has the problem.
- Boot into safe mode.
- Go to "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AVAST Software\Avast\" or "C:\ProgramData\AVAST Software\Avast\" depending on the OS.
- Open the "FileSystemShield.ini" and find the "ProviderEnabled" setting and set it to "0".
- Open services and disable the "avast! Net Client Service" or "avast! Enterprise Client Service" services.
- Reboot the machine in normal mode and report here.
If the machine boots up normally:
- Go to "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AVAST Software\Avast\" or "C:\ProgramData\AVAST Software\Avast\" depending on the OS.
- Open the "FileSystemShield.ini" and change the following settings:
- "ProviderEnabled" to "1".
- "ReportName" to "fs"
- "ReportRecords" to "Infected;HardErrors;SoftErrors;OK;Skipped"
- Reboot the machine.
- Try to login.
If you you were able to login:
- Go to "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AVAST Software\Avast\report" or "C:\ProgramData\AVAST Software\Avast\report" depending on the OS and get the fs.txt file.
Else:
- Boot into safe mode
- Go to "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AVAST Software\Avast\report" or "C:\ProgramData\AVAST Software\Avast\report" depending on the OS and get the fs.txt file.
- Attach the fs.txt file here in your next reply.
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Hello,
we still cannot reproduce this issue, but we are looking into it. Sorry for the inconvenience!
One idea is to disable the sandbox driver.
Execute the following command from cmd (start cmd as administrator with disabled avast self-defense):
sc config aswsnx start= demand
Which will block aswsnx to load.
Or/and, you can try to rename aswsnx.sys under Windows\system32\drivers\..
Let me know if it helps.
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. 2 things that always have worked for me. 1. Log in using Safe mode with networking. And do a system restore back to the latest restore point. After the reboot, the system should boot up normally.
Try doing this on a production server!
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I've had a massive problem with this today - dozens of computers.
Has anyone tried the following:
Go into the Avast console. Edit the configuration of the catalog/group. Go go Policies: avast! Antivirus. Go to the Troubleshooting section. There is a checkbox "Load avast! services only after loading other system services". If you check that box, does it solve the problem of the "Please Wait" ?
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I've had a massive problem with this today - dozens of computers.
Has anyone tried the following:
Go into the Avast console. Edit the configuration of the catalog/group. Go go Policies: avast! Antivirus. Go to the Troubleshooting section. There is a checkbox "Load avast! services only after loading other system services". If you check that box, does it solve the problem of the "Please Wait" ?
yes its been tried and no it does not usually help
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Now that 8.0 has been out for a while - has anyone who's upgraded to it found the Please Wait problem go away?
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We upgraded to 8.0 but left the avast! Enterprise Client Service as Automatic (Delayed Start), I haven't had a chance to test with this service set back to just Automatic on Windows 7/2008 systems yet. Anyone else test this with 8.0?
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I've not seen the Please Wait issue re-occur once we upgraded to version 8. Hopefully this is now resolved!
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No issues here since the upgrade to v8.0.x :D
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No issues here since the upgrade to v8.0.x :D
Didn't want to jinx it, but I think enough time has passed... Issue seems to be solved here as well. :)
Ditto for the hard lock every time you access a unc path with sufficient numbers of files to scan.
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Sorry to slow down your euphoria, but this issue still exists with version 8. We had a customer complained about 2 PCs with windows updates freezing at 51%, who had never any problems with that back in version 4 for years.
Support tells us, this is not an avast-related issue since virusprotection is not active in this state of the boot process. Strangeways we always did the following: turn off the pc, restart in safe mode, uninstall avast, reboot, install windows updates, reinstall avast. Not a real solution but it works and the customer can continue with his work.
But we'd really like to solve this annoying issue since we discover freezed pcs while installing windows updates every month.
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I have same cairol220 issue. I think Avast V.8 can solve this problem but it can't. In sprite of another anti-virus software not have this problem.I waited about 1 year for solution.
Please fix this problem.
Thanks,