Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Beta - Avast => Topic started by: Eddy on December 03, 2013, 01:23:54 PM
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Installing Avast 2014 "R2" Beta (2014.9.0.2009) over the 2014.9.0.2008 version went fine, without any problem.
GrimeFighter started and showed 10 things.
2 apps/services that where not needed to load at boot time.
8 registry entries.
Disappointing is that it doesn't allow me to see what it has found.
Disappointing is that it doesn't let me choose what to "fix" and what not.
I went ahead and choose to optimize.
Scanning went quickly go up to 99% and there it seemed to hang.
No indication at all that it was still doing something.
After about 5(!) minutes it finally finished.
It would not surprise me if people are trying to abort GrimeFighter at this point or even do a hard reboot of their system.
Next step it was downloading a image.
A image?
Huh, a image of what?
Why does it need to download anything if it is just trying to update my system?
Ah well, lets wait and see what will happen.
Ah, a reboot is needed.
That sounds logical to me.
After the reboot a boot menu.
Windows and Jumpshot to choose from.
Hmm, Jumpshot?
What the heck is that?
Guess it has something to do with GrimeFighter, so let's choose that.
Ah, yes. It is Grimefighter.
I believe Jumpshot in the menu should be called GrimeFighter to make it more clear to users.
Ok, GrimeFighter is running now.
Let's see what it does/what happens.
Waited over 1 hour(!) and it still was busy.
More than a hour to remove 2 services from loading at boot time and fixing 8 registry entries?
I guess it Grimefighter went to a bar before it was finished.
At least I did.
Ok came back from the bar a couple of hours later and I had to reboot the system.
What?!! I'm missing icons on my desktop.
It never told me that it was gonna remove them >:(
Let's look for any other changes.
Where is my sound volume icon near the clock?
It has removed it :(
Let's start GrimeFighter again to see if it says anything about the changes made or not.
Nope, no log or anything that shows what it has been doing all that time.
Huh? Let me look again. Do I see this correctly?
Yes, I do. 8 registry entries found that need adjustment.
I guess they are the same 8 it found the first time.
Why hasn't it changed them?
What has it been doing all that time when I was drinking beer in the bar?
In my opinion GrimeFighter in its current form is totally useless.
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Installing Avast 2014 "R2" Beta (2014.9.0.2009) over the 2014.9.0.2008 version went fine, without any problem.
GrimeFighter started and showed 10 things.
2 apps/services that where not needed to load at boot time.
8 registry entries.
Disappointing is that it doesn't allow me to see what it has found.
Disappointing is that it doesn't let me choose what to "fix" and what not.
I went ahead and choose to optimize.
Scanning went quickly go up to 99% and there it seemed to hang.
No indication at all that it was still doing something.
After about 5(!) minutes it finally finished.
It would not surprise me if people are trying to abort GrimeFighter at this point or even do a hard reboot of their system.
Next step it was downloading a image.
A image?
Huh, a image of what?
Why does it need to download anything if it is just trying to update my system?
Ah well, lets wait and see what will happen.
Ah, a reboot is needed.
That sounds logical to me.
After the reboot a boot menu.
Windows and Jumpshot to choose from.
Hmm, Jumpshot?
What the heck is that?
Guess it has something to do with GrimeFighter, so let's choose that.
Ah, yes. It is Grimefighter.
I believe Jumpshot in the menu should be called GrimeFighter to make it more clear to users.
Ok, GrimeFighter is running now.
Let's see what it does/what happens.
Waited over 1 hour(!) and it still was busy.
More than a hour to remove 2 services from loading at boot time and fixing 8 registry entries?
I guess it Grimefighter went to a bar before it was finished.
At least I did.
Ok came back from the bar a couple of hours later and I had to reboot the system.
What?!! I'm missing icons on my desktop.
It never told me that it was gonna remove them >:(
Let's look for any other changes.
Where is my sound volume icon near the clock?
It has removed it :(
Let's start GrimeFighter again to see if it says anything about the changes made or not.
Nope, no log or anything that shows what it has been doing all that time.
Huh? Let me look again. Do I see this correctly?
Yes, I do. 8 registry entries found that need adjustment.
I guess they are the same 8 it found the first time.
Why hasn't it changed them?
What has it been doing all that time when I was drinking beer in the bar?
In my opinion GrimeFighter in its current form is totally useless.
+1..I only i am sure of one thing,i don't want to install GrimeFighter product..i want it to be optional
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I only i am sure of one thing,i don't want to install GrimeFighter product..i want it to be optional
This new version wont be coming anywhere near my systems unfortunately until this GrimeFighter is made an optional install which it doesn't appear to be at the moment :(
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This new version wont be coming anywhere near my systems unfortunately until this GrimeFighter is made an optional install which it doesn't appear to be at the moment :(
Thanks for the heads up Craig as I was about to give this R2 beta a bloody spin, lucky me I didn't installed it when I got your last reply above the quote ;) 8)
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This new version wont be coming anywhere near my systems unfortunately until this GrimeFighter is made an optional install which it doesn't appear to be at the moment :(
Craig.... in a way, it is optional. What one sees in the original install appears to be just some form of system analysis, not GrimeFighter itself. If you choose"Optomize my PC", Avast downloads an image of the actual GrimeFighter (aka JumpStart?) programme, asks for a reboot of the system, and from that menu, installs and runs GrimeFighter. Or so I believe from what I have seen.
So in a way it is optional, but IMHO, this "analysis" that is not optional is going to scare the bejeebers out of those who don't truly understand their systems (my bread and butter <G>) and who will make the mistake (again, IMHO as I have never seen one of these things lead to good) of running GrimeFighter, leaving me to pick up the pieces.
To further complicate matters, it appears that it will be a "premium" feature, in which case, if the "analysis" is left in the Free version, will look just like the countless similar items advertised on various web pages... we found x problems slowing your system down. Buy our programme and we will fix these for you.
Gregg
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This new version wont be coming anywhere near my systems unfortunately until this GrimeFighter is made an optional install which it doesn't appear to be at the moment :(
Craig.... in a way, it is optional. What one sees in the original install appears to be just some form of system analysis, not GrimeFighter itself. If you choose"Optomize my PC", Avast downloads an image of the actual GrimeFighter (aka JumpStart?) programme, asks for a reboot of the system, and from that menu, installs and runs GrimeFighter. Or so I believe from what I have seen.
So in a way it is optional, but IMHO, this "analysis" that is not optional is going to scare the bejeebers out of those who don't truly understand their systems (my bread and butter <G>) and who will make the mistake (again, IMHO as I have never seen one of these things lead to good) of running GrimeFighter, leaving me to pick up the pieces.
To further complicate matters, it appears that it will be a "premium" feature, in which case, if the "analysis" is left in the Free version, will look just like the countless similar items advertised on various web pages... we found x problems slowing your system down. Buy our programme and we will fix these for you.
Gregg
Ahh! that seems to make more sense about it's behaviour, for me I still want the option to not even have that system analysis run as it's an unwanted process and feature imo and from what Eddy mentioned in his post this feature is really going to mess up some systems for the unknowing users that just run things and I'm waiting for the flood of upset customers.
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I only i am sure of one thing,i don't want to install GrimeFighter product..i want it to be optional
This new version wont be coming anywhere near my systems unfortunately until this GrimeFighter is made an optional install which it doesn't appear to be at the moment :(
Even though it isn't meant to be active (as I pointed out in an aborted R2 beta 1 topic, links below), it runs automatically after install and reboot. I want nothing to do with so called PC optimisers (a.k.a. snake oil), yet it ran without my implicit request. Plus the information on the first run is screwed up and even the new advert in the UI for Grime is worse than useless when it provides zero details.
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=141705.msg1029646#msg1029646 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=141705.msg1029646#msg1029646)
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=141705.msg1029712#msg1029712 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=141705.msg1029712#msg1029712)
To say that I'm less than impressed with GrimeFighter, is a major understatement.
For me it is run to gain some information so it can through up the advert for grime in the avast UI. That to me is underhand and devious, strong words, but that is the strength of my feeling about grime and some of it could well rub off on avast.
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Does the embedded GrimeFighter (unwanted) thing currently run at every boot?
I posted the same question also in the main thread, however, I just decided to not try this beta. Main reason: GrimeFighter, including any unwanted system scanning not related to security.
Hope someone will answer my question, though.
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Another thing that needs to be improved.
Where is the undo option?
Is there one?
Yes, there is.
But you have to select "optimize my pc", go through the scanning, downloading image, contacting headquarters etc....
And yes, there it finally is...
But it is a small button and really easy to overlook.
Why do I have to go through the entire process if I only want to undo the last changes?
Would be more logical if there is the option to undo near the "optimize my pc" button.
And as far for the 8 registry entries that needed to optimize...
Ah well ran GrimeFighter 3 times in a row and it still say 8 registry entries need optimization.
You would expect to find GrimeFighter under settings > tools.
At least the option to "run when windows start? yes/no"
But no, it is not there.
Really weird that it runs on every boot while at the same time it is supposed to prevent things from loading at boot time to speed up a system.
Without GrimeFighter my system boots significantly faster.
Have you people looked at the minions on the website?
Kobayashi > Kills viruses, trojans, scamware, spyware, and other evils.
Isn't that exactly what avast itself is supposed to do?
Maximus > Keeps you informed of critical events related to your PC.
Isn't that what the avast software updater already is doing?
And those prices...
$19 for just one scan?
That sounds like paying for a trial version.
Give me $10 and I optimize your system manually and do a much better job than GrimeFighter.
$59 per year for unlimited scans on 5 systems?
That means $11,80 per system and unlimited scans for a year.
And what if someone has only one system?
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Running on every boot is the kiss of death for GrimeFighter, it should only run on the instructions of the user.
Given the extensive testing that Eddy has done, I would say that GrimeFighter has to be a tool/option in its own right in the avast install which can be deselected on a custom install or subsequently uninstalled in the same way as other objects, SecureLine or avast! Remote Assistance for example.
If it isn't installed or enabled, then it should NOT run scans.
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And that's exactly how it (the GF connector) is going to be starting with the next beta refresh...
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And that's exactly how it (the GF connector) is going to be starting with the next beta refresh...
Unfortunately how it runs now has clouded the introduction of this product, many will think very much as we have and has been seen in the two main R2 beta topics and this topic. Whilst changing the GF connector in the next beta refresh is welcomed, first impressions are very strong.
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That's pity. It is such a nice product. We wouldn't acquire the company if we thought it was crap would we... ;)
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That's pity. It is such a nice product. We wouldn't acquire the company if we thought it was crap would we... ;)
No, I don't believe that you would. But there are many that don't feel PC optimiser/tweaking programs are up to much. So you are always going to have to over come that, and unfortunately this early introduction without controls on when it runs hasn't helped the cause.
Had people known that as part of the beta testing this new product would be part of the beta testing, when it would run, etc. etc. could well have stopped all of the negative feedback. People don't like surprises.
It is hard to un-ring the bell.
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I let it run on my Test Laptop since nothing critical on it in terms of files, must've taken 30 minutes or more to download the image, then finally it went into it's thing, over about 45 minutes, While this isn't really security related to me, plus family members PC's I have to work on in the house here. What happens if they'd click it, and it ends up taking a long time to do it's business...
Main thing I want is Antivirus protection, Spyware protection, Unwanted Pup protection, web shield and such. I don't mind the Optimzing tools if there optional, or don't start automatically.
Been with your Antivirus product since Version 4.5
On Various of Computers
Even put Avast Free onto New PC when I got it in June 2012
(i'd upgrade to Internet Security or Pro if I could afford it, but right now can't afford it) So Hopefully in next beta refresh Grimefighter is optional in Free version, don't wanna have to search for another antivirus for Family PC's that are in the house that I control and manage with updates and such)
Thanks, that is my opinion on new Grimefighter portion
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$19.00 for one scan, thats absurd. Why on earth would Avast do this, just adding more crapware to their product, I for one would never install this.
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HI I would like to just say that I installed the Beta 2 for avast free on my computer and I must say that I do not like other products sneaking into avast free but I must say that I will never use any of these extra products but in with avast free that is as simple as that. I love avast free though but grime fighter as far as I am concerned will never be used on my computer and will never use Grimefighter at all it is a waste of space in my opinion so I surely hope for avast they make this an optional install to install or not to install Grimefighter.
Thanks avast have a good week
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It would be nice if people read all the replies on this topic before simply posting
on an item that will not be part of the final release as already stated by Vlk. :)
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1. Does the embedded GrimeFighter (unwanted) thing currently run at every boot?
2. I posted the same question also in the main thread, however, I just decided to not try this beta. Main reason: GrimeFighter, including any unwanted system scanning not related to security.
Hi Tetsuo!
To 1: YES!!!
To 2: Very good deal. For GF had frozen my machine for about 3 hours!!!
BTW: Asking for help to uninstall GF doesn't make any sence. Nobody answered until now.
HDW38
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It would be nice if people read all the replies on this topic before simply posting
on an item that will not be part of the final release as already stated by Vlk. :)
Hi Bob!
I think: until anybody downloads the new Beta WITH GF, it's part of it.
HDW38
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Hi Tetsuo!
To 1: YES!!!
To 2: Very good deal. For GF had frozen my machine for about 3 hours!!!
BTW: Asking for help to uninstall GF doesn't make any sence. Nobody answered until now.
HDW38
Thank you very much for answering, man.
Unfortunately it's not possible to remove the grime connector in the current beta.
By the way, you might want to check these two posts - just in case you've missed them:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=141743.msg1030032#msg1030032
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=141743.msg1030041#msg1030041
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Hi Tetsuo!
To 1: YES!!! EDIT: ONLY FOR THE FIRST 2 RESTARTS!
To 2: Very good deal. For GF had frozen my machine for about 3 hours!!!
BTW: Asking for help to uninstall GF doesn't make any sence. Nobody answered until now.
HDW38
Thank you very much for answering, man.
Unfortunately it's not possible to remove the grime connector in the current beta.
By the way, you might want to check these two posts - just in case you've missed them:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=141743.msg1030032#msg1030032
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=141743.msg1030041#msg1030041
First: I corrected my 'To 1:'
Thank you, but I didn't miss the 2 posts.
BTW: This theme came later than the '*** Introducing ...'-theme, so it came like this.
HDW38
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Mine was blocked at 99% forever...
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I don't think so Tech. It can take a long time before it continues. On my system almost 20 minutes.
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I do have privacy issues with GrimeFighter. I cannot see what is the problem in detail and I cannot fix it by myself. I also want to know how much access does the remote agent have over the pc and if you log any details about the pc.
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I cannot see what is the problem in detail and I cannot fix it by myself. I also want to know how much access does the remote agent have over the pc and if you log any details about the pc.
The problem was, that everbody, who downloaded and installed '9.0.2009' early ( e.g. on 20131202) had no chance NOT to choose the installing of GF.
If anybody of those activated GF (like I did) had trouble.
After 3 hours of waiting and only 3 window changes with comments like 'Downloading image ...' my machine was like 'Antarctica', deeply frozen!
HDW38
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I don't think so Tech. It can take a long time before it continues. On my system almost 20 minutes.
Thanks. Indeed it finished and take the command on next boot.
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That's pity. It is such a nice product. We wouldn't acquire the company if we thought it was crap would we... ;)
In your opinion. That's not widely spread as I see the reactions here.
I don't like Cleaning and antivirus software get mixed up together. If you are concerned with cluttered PC's, make it a separate program.
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An interesting comment from OndraM
Sometimes we encounter a computer that is infected so deep in the system files that it is impossible to clean and repair it while running on the same system. We need to boot to a separate system and fix these core files. To do this we have to have our own OS that we can boot into and make these changes. That's what GF really is: an operating system focused on cleaning and repairing systems that would have been lost otherwise.
Full post http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=141743.msg1031939#new
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So, why exactly is the Rescue Disc for then?
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An interesting comment from OndraM
Sometimes we encounter a computer that is infected so deep in the system files that it is impossible to clean and repair it while running on the same system. We need to boot to a separate system and fix these core files. To do this we have to have our own OS that we can boot into and make these changes. That's what GF really is: an operating system focused on cleaning and repairing systems that would have been lost otherwise.
Full post http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=141743.msg1031939#new
And this would be fine if a) we were told what it is that needs be "cleaned", and/or b) GF stuck to running ONLY if such a situation as he stated existed. IOW, it says to run it when it discovers, in the opinion of the software authors, "grime", and I have too many systems damaged or worse, bricked, due to such registry cleaners and system speedup applications to trust anyone else's opinion as to what can safely be removed from my system, unless it is a virus. But to attempt to get rid of "grime" for me, is pushing the limits of what I want an AV for. IF I wanted that, there are many such applications out there that I could try. I don't need/want one in an AV that less sophisticated users are going to trust and believe in, possibly resulting in more work for me fixing what the true result is, and in damage to my rep for having advised the installation of Avast in the first place.
Gregg
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So, why exactly is the Rescue Disc for then?
I think it's for advanced users. GF is for common ones and completely automated. My personal feeling though.
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So, why exactly is the Rescue Disc for then?
I think it's for advanced users. GF is for common ones and completely automated. My personal feeling though.
You are completely right. GF was aimed at beginner users that just need a quick fix. A more verbose mode for advanced users is needed.
The core difference between rescue disk and GF is that GF works out of the box even on already infected pc. Rescue disk has to be created prior to infection.
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You are completely right. GF was aimed at beginner users that just need a quick fix. A more verbose mode for advanced users is needed.
The core difference between rescue disk and GF is that GF works out of the box even on already infected pc. Rescue disk has to be created prior to infection.
After reading your original post, I'm not sure whether you are going to make the unwanted "connector" thing optional or not during the install?
(I posted the same question also in the beta main thread)
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So, why exactly is the Rescue Disc for then?
I think it's for advanced users. GF is for common ones and completely automated. My personal feeling though.
Yep I agree. Can't wait to see how GF evolve. For beginner is a great addition indeed.
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The core difference between rescue disk and GF is that GF works out of the box even on already infected pc. Rescue disk has to be created prior to infection.
Rescue disk is created from a clean version of Windows, it's downloaded from the Internet.
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You're wrong ;)
Yes, the kit is downloaded from the Internet, but a lot of stuff is copied from the local disk.
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Sad, but true. Well, but only avast files (protected by self-defense, hopefully) and some (four?) Windows files are copied to the Rescue Disk. What's the point of RD if it's contaminated by local files? This can be improved in avast10, it's nothing complicated what couldn't be fixed.
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The core difference between rescue disk and GF is that GF works out of the box even on already infected pc. Rescue disk has to be created prior to infection.
Rescue disk is created from a clean version of Windows, it's downloaded from the Internet.
A rescue disk is created from an installation that one is satisfied with, and should be done on a regular basis.
As a user I don't have any means of knowing that when GF has done his job, that i'm satified with the result as it gives no information whatsoever.
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I cannot see what is the problem in detail and I cannot fix it by myself. I also want to know how much access does the remote agent have over the pc and if you log any details about the pc.
The problem was, that everbody, who downloaded and installed '9.0.2009' early ( e.g. on 20131202) had no chance NOT to choose the installing of GF.
If anybody of those activated GF (like I did) had trouble.
After 3 hours of waiting and only 3 window changes with comments like 'Downloading image ...' my machine was like 'Antarctica', deeply frozen!
HDW38
At the time I wrote this above message I had already installed GrimeFighter in my pc. It did download the image completely. When I ran it, the pc rebooted, and went to the grimefighter rescue screen.
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Grime asked me to clean my PC.
If I don't know what will it do, how could I allow this?
Really, allow a "hidden" log about what would be done. It's so automatic that I can't trust it won't change something in my non-standard computer.
I think a lot of other avast! beta testers will do the same...
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Indeed, found 3 so called 'problems' but did not tell what they were and what would be deleted. No freakin' way I click okay without any info about what I'm agreeing with.
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That's why I aren't touching the bloody GF without any further information and details what's really going on in the OS because I'm not risking it any further and to allow GF to do some changes.
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That's why I aren't touching the bloody GF without any further information and details what's really going on in the OS because I'm not risking it any further and to allow GF to do some changes.
+1
Gregg
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I AGREE!! devs please take note of these opinions before offering this product.
skinnypops
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This program will always be for common users and won't give much information for the ones who can't understand/manage them.
But, right now, for the testers, it will be difficult to just "test" without further info. My personal opinion.
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And that's exactly how it (the GF connector) is going to be starting with the next beta refresh...
OK, how do I turn this off? in the latest RC Nevermind :o
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And that's exactly how it (the GF connector) is going to be starting with the next beta refresh...
OK, how do I turn this off? in the latest RC Nevermind :o
For those wondering as you didn't say.
Do a custom install and the GrimeFighter option is able to be de-selected as with other avast features/functions.
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Yep indeed is nice to see this as an optional features like it should be :)
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The problem was, that everbody, who downloaded and installed '9.0.2009' early ( e.g. on 20131202) had no chance NOT to choose the installing of GF.
If anybody of those activated GF (like I did) had trouble.
After 3 hours of waiting and only 3 window changes with comments like 'Downloading image ...' my machine was like 'Antarctica', deeply frozen!
All that happened before yesterday. Somebody made some changes, so you can ...
- start GF and it started 'analizing' and shows you what's wrong,
- click on 'start cleaning' and you get this answer: 'GF starts after newstart'
- stop GF (after the new start!) by choosing 'back to Windows'!!!
HDW38
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Morning and Happy New Year!
My apologies if I'm not in the right place (first hit I got on Google). I'm running Avast Internet Security (version 2014.9.0.2011) on 2 pcs. Was Grimefighter released as part of the Suite update recently? I haven't seen the Grimefighter option on my pc, yet my husband did get it on his. I have the same concerns as other stated. While I like it shows what the analysis found in general, I too haven't found any way to see in detail what it plans to do.
I would ask GF show the analysis in greater detail, backup the system beforehand and and allow me to control what gets done. System hardening can cause problems if you don't know what you're doing and I'm not comfortable giving software a blank check to do what it wants on such a wide scale without any control on my part.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
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I believe that GrimeFighter is currently a stand alone paid service, I don't know if it will be an option in the premier suite in the future.
He may well see GrimeFighter mentioned in his installation, but that is the control interface and not the program as such. The GrimeFighter was incorporated into the initial avast 2014 9.0 beta version and that caused a stink with those that didn't want it. But essentially that was testing the interface in that initial 9.0 beta and not the later avast 9.0 installations
Many people have mentioned they would want more details (as you have found) rather than just raw numbers before they would allow it to remove the grime.
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Thank you for the information. :)
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You're welcome.
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Tried GrimeFighter four times now. All goes fine until crash after 30-40 minutes of "not worrying and relaxing". Any log files I can extract for you to check what is going wrong?
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I wonder if it's really that thorough and secure if it's doing the stuff for 40+ minutes...
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That's pity. It is such a nice product. We wouldn't acquire the company if we thought it was crap would we... ;)
Still a lemon 🍋 is still a 🍋. This is probably the worst product I have ever put on any computer I have ever owned. What makes it worse in my eyes is that it even has the avast name on it. I have been happy with the anti-virus engine. This product however seems to have been coded by the antichrist. Hopefully I can get my computer back working again after this product has failed it miserably. Definitely getting a refund on this garbage.
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Yes I agree, I am very disappointed in what it did to my laptop. I would like to know how I get my money back that it said to pay for 1 year to upgrade to improve system. It didn't work it made every thing slower than what it was already. I would like to delete Avast from my computer but I want to make sure I get my money back first for the grimefighter Beta. It changed my settings and deleted the old ones now I can not get it to reset to the more compatible settings to my computer.
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Best, you post/ask here: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=63.0
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I downloaded then ran this today. Only later did I realise I already had it. I have been on the phone to customer services who say they cannot help and to go onto the website. Nowhere can I find how to uninstall my latest version and get my subscription refunded. Any ideas?
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I downloaded then ran this today. Only later did I realise I already had it. I have been on the phone to customer services who say they cannot help and to go onto the website. Nowhere can I find how to uninstall my latest version and get my subscription refunded. Any ideas?
Please post here as previously suggested: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=63.0
(https://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=63.0)