Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Anacunga on August 16, 2013, 12:51:07 PM
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I have here Notebook with 1.2GHz Pentium4 that is always blocked for about 20 Minutes with 100% CPU-Charge when updating Virus database. I could attach screenshots of it if needed (Total Time: 21:26 / Download time: 24 sec. / Downloaded Files: 10 (573.11 KB) ... CPU-Usage-History in Windows-Task-Manager stands on 100% for the time of Update) ... How crazy is that???
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- Which avast!..?? (Free/Pro/IS/Premier)
- Which version..??
- OS..?? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP..?)
- Other security related software installed..??
- Which AV(s) did you use before avast!..??
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- Which avast!..??
Free
- Which version..??
latest 8.0.1489
- OS..??
latest XP 32 SP3
- Other security related software installed..??
no
- Which AV(s) did you use before avast!..??
Avast 4.8 (but this is some years ago; always updated (to v5/v6/v7/etc.)
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Avast 4.8 (but this is some years ago; always updated (to v5/v6/v7/etc.)
1. Download avast! Free Antivirus: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
2. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed avast! versions..!!)
3. Reinstall avast! with the downloaded installer from point 1.
4. Reboot.
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It really depends if there is something else also running or not. If there is nothing running besides, updating is done within ca. 2 min. ... but if you only are surfing on the net, it not only lasts between 15 and 20 minutes, but also during that time the PC feels really small and you always have to wait for the webpages to be presented. There is still something that slows the PC too much down, specially if having scripting (javascript) activated ... :/
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Hi Anacunga,
On my XP Pro with Intel Pentium 4 2.80ghz, avast! usually takes 60% cpu for about 15-30 seconds while it's updating, even while i'm multitasking 8+ programs. 3.256gb ram here.
How fast is your internet speed?
~!Donovan
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... after some more tests the result is a real shame. while I am now writing this, I should work on a different PC; I had started there with looking up something on the web and writing something in a simple text file. I had to wait for about 2 to 3 minutes to be able to save the text (i.e. duration between invoking save-dialogue and appearance of the save-window). The PC is still not yet usable; just scrolling on a website takes several minutes until the page moves.
Sorry but that is NOT multitasking as it should be!
Btw: the only solution is to quit EVERY AND ALL PROGRAMS before manually starting the update process, then the wait period is only about 2 minutes. But while updating just virus definitions, the PC is absolutely not usable; the more you do the longer it takes!
The new values:
Engine and definitions: previous 130830-1, updated to 130902-0
Total time: 31:49 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Download time: 26 s (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Downloaded files: 19 (1493.42 KB)
Server: download354.avast.com (46.165.210.3)
And during that half hour the PC was not usable!
I can present you the screen-shot if necessary!
And next time I can run videocam to record it!
(btw: two weeks ago I followed your instructions!)
More than half an hour for something that was downloaded in even not half a minute???? How crazy are you???? To be honest, but that behavoiur is a real shame - sorry for telling you that!
Btw: sorry, I was wrong above: as I remember there was no AV-software installed before AVAST, and it started with v5 or v6, but not v4
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Update to avast! 8.0.1497. Better..??
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No - the described behaviour IS with 8.0.1497 ...
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Hello Anacunga!
How much RAM is installed on your PC?
INGBEAN
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512MB (among 32MB as shared memory for graphics) - usable for the OS is 480MB
btw: turned System Restore off now - don't know if this could help ...
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Do you have a possibility to install additional RAM to your Notebook?
Or is 512 MB already the maximum?
I think this would be the most helpful way.
Please take a look to the "Performance"-tab on Windows Task Manager.
Which 3 values do you have on the "Commit Charge (K)"-section (left down)?
Today I made a test with Windows XP Professional SP3 and avast! Free V8.0.1497.
On idle I have a "Page File Usage" of approx. 350 MB.
I performed an update (by hand) from VPS 130902-0 to 130902-1 and got a (short) peak of 610 MB.
If you have this behavior too, data are swapped from RAM to harddisk.
Which size has your HDD and how much is free?
Additionally it helps to defragment your HDD and (or) disable the "Streaming Updates" on avast! Free (just an idea).
INGBEAN
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Have to check whether 1GB would be possible ... PC133-SODIMM would be needed ...
Was about 1GB left free on System-/Boot-HD; now over 3GB free ...
Streaming update is disabled - and I always let pop the info up to control update start time.
Btw.:
> On idle I have a "Page File Usage" of approx. 350 MB.
> I performed an update (by hand) from VPS 130902-0 to 130902-1 and got a (short) peak of 610 MB.
I consider that as a possible source of the problem. But why the hell does avast consume so much buffer - just to replace some minor files?
Specially when not automatically updating, it would be a minor problem to announce a short (max. 1-2min.) of "please be ready for avast to update - no multitasking available; PC will not be usable for a short while - press any key when ready to wait 1-2 min." or else.
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Well, 1 or 3 GB free on HDD is really not much. :(
Because pagefile.sys, recycle bin and temporary (internet) files needs space too.
I would suggest more RAM, try to get more free space on your HDD and defragment it.
Regards!
INGBEAN
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Unfortunately the problem isn't avast! but a system that's starving for additional Ram and one that
also needs additional Hard Drive space.
If you fix these 2 items, you'll have a well behaved computer again. Without it, you'll have nothing but headaches. :'(
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Hi Anacunga,
Here's a screenshot of my cpu and memory usage while avast! is updating.
~!Donovan
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Unfortunately the problem isn't avast!
WRONG! The problem IS avast!
but a system that's starving for additional Ram
again WRONG! The system is working fine even with several tasks running parallelly - only avast is consuming more than available - the problem IS avast!
and one that also needs additional Hard Drive space.
and even WRONGer!!! 3GB of free space on boot-drive and 10GB free on second drive is more than enough!!!
If you fix these 2 items, you'll have a well behaved computer again.
There is nothing to fix but avast! The PC runs fine for more than a decade now - and the only problem is avast and nothing else!
Without it, you'll have nothing but headaches.
Come here and put more RAM than physically possible into that PC!!!
... update from today:
Total time: 30:41
Download time: 2:55 (what is long - as here is a 25MBit internet access available).
Downloaded files: 17 (1'748.61 kByte)
The problem IS avast; you cannot do anything else as long as avast is updating; if that lasts for about less than 2 minutes, it would be acceptable - but more than half an hour is not!
Btw: avast 4.8 has the better engine, even if the PC is not responsive for several seconds at a certain moment. but an update NEVER last so long as with avast 8!
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Since I use avast! on many computers with all different OS and many of them have limited Ram,
I know it isn't avast!
That's not something I can apparently get you to believe so the only advice I can give you is to
do whatever you think you need to do. It is still your computer and you've apparently made up your mind.
Good luck.
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Bob I disagree. I build and repair computers for a living. I also built my computer that I use. I never had a problem with version 4 of Avast. Ever. Since upgrading to Avast 8 I too have a computer held hostage by Avast 8. I only see the problem right after a boot up of Windows 7. Also see it on Win XP. For the first 2 minutes after every reboot Avast 8 holds my computer hostage. I can't do anything at all until Avast 8 finishes. Then my system runs very fast until the next reboot. I have seen this in ALL of the computers I have worked on that have Avast 8. I never had this problem with older versions of Avast. I have followed all of the suggestions here in this forum and nothing has worked. I just walk away from my computer when I reboot and go get a drink or use the rest room. When I come back things are back to normal.
I have uninstalled Avast 8 to test my theory that Avast 8 is causing the slow downs. And yes I used the proper removal tool before you suggest that. As soon as Avast 8 is off of my computer I no longer have the problems at reboot. Even installing MSE there is no slow down on reboot. Only when I properly uninstalled MSE and reinstalled Avast 8 did the problems occur again.
I have posted this in these forums before. But all I get from the Avast fan boys is a canned reply that "I don't see this on my computer." Well the problem does exist. And as I said it is on every computer I have worked on that I have installed Avast 8 on. Now I do still like and recommend Avast. But with all of the bloat that's now in the program and having Chrome and Google Toolbar being shoved down our throats I don't know how much longer I will recommend Avast. I can tell you this. If Avast 2014 still holds computers "hostage" like version 8 does I will be switching to something else and will no longer recommend Avast.
I am running an AMD quad core CPU at 3.84ghz, 8gb of DDR3 1600 memory, with an AMD Radeon HD 7850 2gb GPU. Windows 7 64bit OS. Bare minimum at start up. My computer is not slow.
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I build and repair computers for a living. I also built my computer that I use.
Obviously I don't use one of the computers you built since I have no problems or complaints about the resources used by avast!.
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There's nothing wrong with the computers that I built. Other than Avast 8. Uninstalling Avast 8 solves any problem with the computers. Try reading what I wrote again before attacking my work. Maybe you need a reading comprehension class or a new set of glasses? You are getting up there in age :)
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There's nothing wrong with the computers that I built. Other than Avast 8. Uninstalling Avast 8 solves any problem with the computers. Try reading what I wrote again before attacking my work. Maybe you need a reading comprehension class or a new set of glasses? You are getting up there in age :)
I may be getting old but at least I still have manners. You apparently either forgot yours or have yet to learn some.
Maybe you're the one that needs to learn to read.
We both run avast! on the same OS. I have no problems on various computers while using avast!.
You build your computers and have a problem with avast!
Go figure......
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Bob I have read numerous replies here from you that are just down right rude. You are just a crotchety old fart and I am done arguing with you. You are the one that needs manners. You attacked me first. Again I have read quite a few posts from you that were just completely rude. Your last one included.
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Since you aren't required to take my advice nor I yours, we at least have something in common.
Good luck in solving your problem.