Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: rogi10 on January 20, 2014, 10:16:06 PM
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Hello. I have seen a few topics on this forum about this issue already. However, most of them were solved by uninstalling the old version with the avast uninstall tool, running avast celanup tool, and installing the new beta version.
I too had this problem on my machine. I tried what everyone else suggested on the forums. It didn't work. I still see random RAM usage spikes, to upwards of 1/1.5 GB's, which will then drop the the normal memory usage. However, when the memory drops, the CPU usage starts to go up, very slowly, until it reaches 100%. The only way to stop this is to deactivate the web shield, but not only is that a thing I don't really want to do, the problem appears again around half an hour after reactivating the shield.
Could anyone give me a hand here?
Thanks in advance.
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Guys, please help D: . I think I have a older version of avast around here, should I install the old version, no big risk in doing so?
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Have you tried a repair? Control Panel>Uninstall a Program>double click "avast">click "repair">reboot
You may need to reboot a couple or more times with a period of time (about 5 minutes) between reboots.
IOW...shut down>wait five minutes>reboot>shut down>wait five minutes>reboot. Give your system enough time
to load all services when you reboot.
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Yes, I rebooted around 5 times yesterday (when I installed the beta version), plus a few today, as well, and there were time gaps between each reboot, it wasn't me rebooting right after the pc starting up. By the way, if I tried to disable shields, avast would just freeze until I rebooted, and I could not close it in the task manager.
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Any other security software you have now or ever had?
If uninstalled how was it removed?
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I never had any other security software on this pc.
I uninstalled avast by using avastclear and RejZor's cleanup tool.
At the moment, I had to uninstall the new avast version (through the same methods), and install 8.0.1483 (I had an old installer in my pc), or else I could barely use my machine.
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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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1) Good idea to keep an older installer...just in case.
2) Did you have this issue with v2014.9.0.2011?
The new beta was supposed to fix this.
You may need to do another clean install of v2014.9.0.2012 beta so you can get to the set-up logs.
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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!..??
Avast Free
v2014.9.0.2012 / v2014.9.0.2011
Windows 7 64 bit
No
None, avast is the only one I used.
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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!..??
Avast Free
v2014.9.0.2012 / v2014.9.0.2011
Windows 7 64 bit
No
None, avast is the only one I used.
And which service pack is installed ?
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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!..??
Avast Free
v2014.9.0.2012 / v2014.9.0.2011
Windows 7 64 bit
No
None, avast is the only one I used.
And which service pack is installed ?
Oh, I'm sorry, I totally skipped over that. It's service pack 1.
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Add the two lines in your WebShield.ini
[General]
UseStreamFilter=0
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On AIS 2014.9.0.2011 I had the AvastSvc.exe using much more memory than in v8, usually growing with time (up to 250Mb max) ... but I noticed that disabling the Webshield for few seconds and the reactivating (from Avast settings) actually makes the process shrink down to 7-10Mb... then it will start slowly growing, but it might help to regain little control of the PC ::)
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=144589.msg1048814#msg1048814
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On AIS 2014.9.0.2011 I had the AvastSvc.exe using much more memory than in v8, usually growing with time (up to 250Mb max) ... but I noticed that disabling the Webshield for few seconds and the reactivating (from Avast settings) actually makes the process shrink down to 7-10Mb... then it will start slowly growing, but it might help to regain little control of the PC ::)
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=144589.msg1048814#msg1048814
I couldn't disable the shields, because every time I tried to do so when Avastsvc.exe was going nuts, avast would just freeze until I rebooted.
Add the two lines in your WebShield.ini
[General]
UseStreamFilter=0
Ok, I have done this, and I will report back in a while, hope it works!
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Add the two lines in your WebShield.ini
[General]
UseStreamFilter=0
Yep, this seems to have fixed it, thanks a lot!
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Where is WebShield.ini located?
I also have a memory usage problem.
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=143167.0
Thank you.
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Depends on your OS.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AVAST Software\Avast\WebShield.ini XP location
C:\ProgramData\AVAST Software\Avast\WebShield.ini Vista, win7 or later - this ProgramData location may be hidden.
You should only use notepad to edit this and you should run notepad.exe as administrator in win7 or higher.
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Thank you DavidR.
I've added the lines to WebShield.ini. There seems to be a minor change: The memory usage in idle used to be 40 MB, and now it's around 30 MB.
In version 2008 the usage was around 2 MB. I downgraded from 2011 to 2008 and now I'm using v2013. Are the figures normal? Should I downgrade again?
And what's the setting "UseStreamFilter=0" supposed to do?
(Win 7 32 bit).
I appreciate your help.
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Hi Yaron,
we have removed the code that periodically swapped the allocated memory to disk, since it was terrible for the performance.
I am not sure at the moment if there is or not an option in the ini file that re-enables this working pool trimming again.
We definitely spoke about such option internally, even had some discussion if the name should be:
PreferSlowDiskAccessToFastMemoryReads=1
or:
EnableExtraSwapping=1
however I am not sure how this ended. I might be able to find out tomorrow.
Lukas.
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Hi lukor,
Thank you so much for the detailed explanation.
I don't mind the extra 40 MB RAM usage if the performance should be improved. Could you please confirm that 40 MB is normal?
I was concerned that my settings were wrong.
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Add the two lines in your WebShield.ini
[General]
UseStreamFilter=0
Yep, this seems to have fixed it, thanks a lot!
You're welcome.
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Hi Yaron,
we have removed the code that periodically swapped the allocated memory to disk, since it was terrible for the performance.
I am not sure at the moment if there is or not an option in the ini file that re-enables this working pool trimming again.
We definitely spoke about such option internally, even had some discussion if the name should be:
PreferSlowDiskAccessToFastMemoryReads=1
or:
EnableExtraSwapping=1
however I am not sure how this ended. I might be able to find out tomorrow.
Lukas.
for the amount of memory it uses on my machine, this explanation is fine (I can always do the little trick to shrink it down if I feel the need)! as I was thinking something has been changed/removed since v8 ;D ... maybe as future improvement an option can be added in the setting to allow the user to select which behaviour has to be used by Avast!
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how do i edit the WebShield.ini? everytime i try to save after i add the line i get an error.
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My Reply #16 above should clear that up, see extract of that post.
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=145084.msg1053949#msg1053949 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=145084.msg1053949#msg1053949)
You should only use notepad to edit this and you should run notepad.exe as administrator in win7 or higher.
You don't say what the error is, nor do you say what your Operating system is ?
Both of these can help us resolve your edit problem and you should only be using notepad.exe for the edit.
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Add the two lines in your WebShield.ini
[General]
UseStreamFilter=0
___________________________________________________________________
Many thanks and Kudos to Asyn,
His solution above solved this cpu problem for me.
.
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You're welcome.
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Hello,
I've got the same problem. I'm using version 2014.9.0.2021.
After working some time my laptop gets completely slowly.
I've updated the WebShield.ini file setting "UseStreamFilter=0" but it doesn't work.
Is there anything I can do?
Can I uninstall an install a previous version?
Regards.
Javier
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Hello,
I've got the same problem. I'm using version 2014.9.0.2021.
After working some time my laptop gets completely slowly.
I've updated the WebShield.ini file setting "UseStreamFilter=0" but it doesn't work.
Is there anything I can do?
Can I uninstall an install a previous version?
Regards.
Javier
You don't say what operating system you are using ?
I can't remember if avast uses this new streamfilter in Windows XP, if not than switching it off in the webshield.ini is unlikely to have an effect.
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Hello,
I've got the same problem. I'm using version 2014.9.0.2021.
After working some time my laptop gets completely slowly.
I've updated the WebShield.ini file setting "UseStreamFilter=0" but it doesn't work.
Is there anything I can do?
Can I uninstall an install a previous version?
Regards.
Javier
You don't say what operating system you are using ?
I can't remember if avast uses this new streamfilter in Windows XP, if not than switching it off in the webshield.ini is unlikely to have an effect.
I'm currently using Windows 7 32 bits.
Is there any other problem related that may affect performance?
Regards.
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Not that I'm aware of my other system is win7 32bit netbook and although it isn't my main system when browsing I don't see this high cpu activity. That system only has 2GB of RAM (maximum) and a dual core Intel atom CPU and that is no speed freak.
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Add the two lines in your WebShield.ini
[General]
UseStreamFilter=0
How do I do this????
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How do I do this????
Explained in the thread, reread it.
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My problems started when I did an 'update'. Doesn't take very long now for system instability while AvastScv.exe memory use keeps growing. The old Avast allowed shutdown & restart to clear memory use; new version requires complete computer restart. Hardly an 'improvement' IMO. Nor can I re-install the older version; Avast takes me to a website & downloads the latest w/o any choice.
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As suggested, I have tried to add these two lines to WebShield.ini using Notepad:
[General]
UseStreamFilter=0
However, when I try to save the file with that change, first Avast tries to block that change. I say that the change is OK. But then Windows tells me that I cannot save changes to that file. Then Windows Data Execution Prevention shuts down Notepad. What can I do to successfully edit Webshield.ini?
I am on Windows Vista.
Thanks.
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You need to disable avasts self protection prior to making changes to the ini files.
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You need to disable avasts self protection prior to making changes to the ini files.
If you are using notepad, you shouldn't have to disable the self defence module, just acknowledge the self defence module window to save the changes.
This however I think is something different 'Windows OS related', even in Vista the user may have to run notepad as administrator.
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How do I run Notepad as Administrator in Vista?
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Right click Notepad and choose run as administrator.
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Hi, would just like to add, that the new streamfilter (that you are trying to disable with the ini option UseStreamFilter=0) is implemented on Windows 7 and 8 only.
So nothing like this is on Vista and adding the option into the ini file will have no effect.
Lukas.
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I have the newest version..... I have 2015.10.0.2208
I have Premier I said that in the original post.
What else do you need to know?
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I have the newest version..... I have 2015.10.0.2208
I have Premier I said that in the original post.
What else do you need to know?
You are receiving assistance on your other topic, https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=166430.0 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=166430.0), created today.
I would suggest that you stick with that one or it will become confusing for all concerned, as this one has been marked (Solved).
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I am having the exact same problem.
It happens several times a day.
I've been reading about how to fix it but I'm a moron when it comes to computers.
Where is this "WebShield.ini" file I keep reading about? I can't find it for the life of me.
I'm using windows 8
Avast Internet Security (not the free version)
With all the updates.
Sorry I don't even know how to find out the exact version for you guys.
When I went to school, the only computer we had was in the library to tell where the book we wanted was, lol.
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If you read about it in this topic, it gives the locations in Reply #16.
That said I rather doubt that you have the same problem as this topic that is over 1 year and 9 months old and shouldn't be relevant on your win8 installation of avast. The reason I say this is there have been several program updates since then and the streaming updates have been updated in some of these.
You also asked this question again back in July 7 2015 - https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=143711.msg1230904#msg1230904 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=143711.msg1230904#msg1230904) - and the location was given in that also Reply #25.
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Help! I am a relative novice. About 2 weeks ago, I notice a general slow down on my Windows 10 computer. I checked Task Manager Processes and found Avast Service was using 99 to 100% CPU. It fluctuates down to 94% for a few seconds and then goes back up. I tried using Control Panel to uninstall, but it has benn close to 2 hours and I'm still waiting for it to stop. Help
By the way, I didn't understand most of the previous discussion on this topic.
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Help! I am a relative novice. About 2 weeks ago, I notice a general slow down on my Windows 10 computer. I checked Task Manager Processes and found Avast Service was using 99 to 100% CPU. It fluctuates down to 94% for a few seconds and then goes back up. I tried using Control Panel to uninstall, but it has benn close to 2 hours and I'm still waiting for it to stop. Help
By the way, I didn't understand most of the previous discussion on this topic.
Start your own topic and describe your problem.
Posting in an old topic makes no sense. The information in this old thread no longer applies to days version of Avast.