Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: venomreleaser on February 26, 2014, 05:26:21 AM
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Within the last week I purchased and built a brand new computer. Everything is running great and Windows 8.1 is really starting to grow on me. Dare I say that I even like the metro start screen :O
Anyway, I have been a longtime user of Avast and currently have a paid license for internet security through September of 2014.
After installing Windows and getting all my drivers updated, I went ahead and installed Avast's newest version (9.0.2013) and everything seemed to be working just fine. After doing restarts of the system everything still worked with no issues.
The problem came after I shutdown the computer for the night. The next day when loading everything up, after logging in Windows would "hang" as in many of my startup programs, including Avast, would not load. The task manager, control panel, command prompt, etc. were also hanging and refused to even open. Windows updates would not install and after resetting via that app the system was unusable completely (I couldn't even login or get Windows to load) I tried resetting multiple times with no effect. I freaked out and tried system restores and even reformatting. After several attempts I was finally able to determine that the issue is Avast.
I am currently using my PC with only Windows Defender/Firewall running as I cannot use the Avast system. Currently I can shutdown and I ran the Windows updates without any issues. I have 100% confirmed that the problem stems from Avast.
I have sent tickets into support and have not gotten a reply after several days. My next step is what I am doing now, reaching out to the forum community.
I would really appreciate a working anti-virus program and if that cannot be provided, I wish to have a refund processed as I cannot use a program that I legitimately paid for.
Prior thanks to anyone who can help.
EDIT: The problem only occurs when I shutdown the system. After installing Avast, if I do a restart it works fine. I have tested this multiple times and just did another system restore to before installing Avast in the last half hour. Again I can confirm Avast is the issue here.
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This is on a clean install ie brand new pc with absolutely nothing on it. It doesn't work no matter how many times I reinstall it.
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It believe what is being suggested is that your version of Avast may be corrupt. If you haven't already; download the avast uninstall utility, and a new version of the avast software. Uninstall your current Avast, use the uninstall tool, and reinstall the new version.
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I've already done that. I've downloaded and installed from two separate locations, both the online downloader from the main avast site and the direct standalone link from the release thread here on the forums. Exact same results. Anytime I shut down my pc, upon rebooting the issue persists.
EDIT: Keep in mind that one I shutdown I literally can't do anything. I can only get my pc working via a system restore point that I manually set for right before installing avast so there is nothing avast related on my pc before the install. And once installed everything works great and I've confirmed to be updated to the newest version via the settings. To run a test I shut the pc down just after installing And sure enough nothing worked after reboot. I ran system restore from my windows CD and everything was working again sans avast.
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I've already done that. I've downloaded and installed from two separate locations, both the online downloader from the main avast site and the direct standalone link from the release thread here on the forums. Exact same results. Anytime I shut down my pc, upon rebooting the issue persists.
EDIT: Keep in mind that one I shutdown I literally can't do anything. I can only get my pc working via a system restore point that I manually set for right before installing avast so there is nothing avast related on my pc before the install. And once installed everything works great and I've confirmed to be updated to the newest version via the settings. To run a test I shut the pc down just after installing And sure enough nothing worked after reboot. I ran system restore from my windows CD and everything was working again sans avast.
Just clarification on my part, system restore via windows won't remove all of avast. Like most AVs, Avast has a self protection module that will resist any third party program from uninstalling it, so traces of Avast most likely will still be there even after a system restore. That is also my personal experience in the past.
http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
If you haven't done so, run the uninstall utility, which will scrub your system of Avast then try reinstalling. Uninstalling it from the control panel is not enough. Just to fully rule out a bad Avast install.
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I understand what you're saying, but how does that relate to doing an entire reformatting of the hard drive? I'm talking 100% clean slate of my ssd then installing avast and having the issue take place again. This is why I don't think it's an issue with simply a bad installation
EDIT: I used the uninstaller and tried again just in case. Nope, same result.
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What I'm not getting is I have had Avast installed on my W8 and now 8.1 without any issues on an OS, that in comparison to the OP's is very busy (many programs installed) and more opportunity to conflict.
Very odd. ???
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I have the exact same issue. I too have an SSD (Samsung EVO 840).
It happens exactly like he says. Install avast, shut down, then suddenly Windows is broken.
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What I'm not getting is I have had Avast installed on my W8 and now 8.1 without any issues on an OS, that in comparison to the OP's is very busy (many programs installed) and more opportunity to conflict.
Very odd. ???
Yup, I'm lost on the subject. I mean maybe it could be a startup program conflict, but I only have the things running that came with the hardware.
Here's a list of what runs at startup:
NZXT Kraken Control
Logitech Gaming Software 8.51.5
Asus ROG GameFirst II
Asus AI Suite
Asus EZUpdate
Asus WiFi Engine
Bluetooth Devices
RealTek HD Audio Manager
Intel RapidStore Technology
NVIDIA GeForce Experience
I feel like it can't be a startup conflict because when I reset the computer, everything still works and boots without issue. The problem only arises after shutting down. I have fastboot disabled in both the BIOS and Control Panel.
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I have the exact same issue. I too have an SSD (Samsung EVO 840).
It happens exactly like he says. Install avast, shut down, then suddenly Windows is broken.
I'm running the exact same SSD @ 250gb
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I have the 750 GB version so I am assuming it is an issue with that SSD series. My system startup items are basically the same as yours minus the NZXT and ROG software and then add steam.
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I have the 750 GB version so I am assuming it is an issue with that SSD series. My system startup items are basically the same as yours minus the NZXT and ROG software and then add steam.
At least we might finally be getting somewhere. I know it's not an issue with the SSD itself as Samsung Magician reports everything is in perfect health. I forgot to add Steam to the list, I can't ignore that wonderful program ^_^.
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What I'm not getting is I have had Avast installed on my W8 and now 8.1 without any issues on an OS, that in comparison to the OP's is very busy (many programs installed) and more opportunity to conflict.
Very odd. ???
Yup, I'm lost on the subject. I mean maybe it could be a startup program conflict, but I only have the things running that came with the hardware.
I have fastboot disabled in both the BIOS and Control Panel.
and what happens if you reinstate fast boot ? ;)
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I have a similar problem on a mature Vista installation! When upgrading to V9 from V8, this pc was unusable. You could boot up, but Explorer would hang. Usually you can restart explorer.exe via Task Manager, but even that did nothing. System Restore would not resolve the problem and bring the system back to a usable pre-update state (You would also have to run the Avast uninstall program to completely wipe the bad V9 upgrade). So for now, V8 remains...
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What I'm not getting is I have had Avast installed on my W8 and now 8.1 without any issues on an OS, that in comparison to the OP's is very busy (many programs installed) and more opportunity to conflict.
Very odd. ???
Yup, I'm lost on the subject. I mean maybe it could be a startup program conflict, but I only have the things running that came with the hardware.
I have fastboot disabled in both the BIOS and Control Panel.
and what happens if you reinstate fast boot ? ;)
The same thing would happen. I have fast boot enabled as I never got around to turning that off.
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Yup, same results
I really wish someone from avast would actually respond to this. My ticket remains unanswered and nothing yet on the forum. It's getting a bit ridiculous.
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Well, I got a response from my ticket to absolutely no effect. They wanted me to run a repair and reinstall to the latest version, which I already did. The they asked for me to run task manager to check cpu usage. Did they even read my ticket or just give me a generic response?
I can't even get into task manager after I reboot. Ugh this is so frustrating. I emailed them back of course.
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Just wondering if this is still happening to you or if you managed to fix it. I started having this same problem almost 2 months ago as well. Brand new build and submitted a ticket was told that it would be fixed in the next version of avast. I'm assuming updates have come out and so after 2 months I've gone ahead and reinstalled and what do you know... Still happening. Any fix for this?
I've formatted windows, downloaded fresh install files, ran the cleaner once it happened and done everything that I can think of any suggestions?
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If you have the Asus suite, that is known to cause conflicts with antivirus software ( and other apps /drivers), causing BDOD and crashes.
Many people could not install Bitdefender with the Asus suite installed. Advice is to remove that Asus suite.
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I've tried with the Asus Suite uninstalled on a fresh install of windows and it still doesnt work.
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I had Asus Suite II and it ran with no problems with Avast. I think there are version I,II, III so I can't say about the other ones.
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anyone have any ideas?
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From what I have learned lately with UEFI and fastboot enabled you are attempting to boot using a system image file from your last working install..
try
-turn fast boot off
-now you should see a boot order
-make sure your first boot is Windows 8 EFI
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Maybe it's a silly question but how long did you keep the PC hang? I used to see similar issue during early development of 9R1 and it helped to either disable WebShield and/or wait few minutes (like 15 or so). If it helps, then perhaps we didn't eradicate this bug as we thought.
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oh indefinitely it just hangs after start up. I left it over night it gets into windows eventually but it wont load the taskbar or startmenu items. None of my startup programs run either.
I've also done this with a clean install of nothing but windows and drivers. Same issue.
I'm running an i7 4770k, asus rog maximus hero, 16gb ddr3 1866mhz, gtx780ti, and my hdd for th os is an intel 180gb ssd. I dunno if that makes any difference for anything.
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Hi everyone,
I am also seeing this exact issue today as well. Upon booting up to my Win 8.1 desktop almost every application I use is "hung up." Even Task Manager does not start up during the hang. It takes a few minutes before I can use anything and it is definitely Avast (Internet Security) causing the issue. I know because as soon as the Avast app does start running again, all my other applications (Steam, Chrome, IE, Windows system apps, etc) start working again immediately after.
I have seen this issue once before, but it has been a long while. There was a big Windows 8.1 update last night, but I'm not sure if that is part of the cause.
Edit: I just noticed the "Avast service will not start" thread which also explains this issue. OP posted: "...noticed the red 'x' over avast in the system tray. I checked to see the problem and it said the avast service is off."
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This issue continues for me there is nothing in the task bar. No x nothing. Please help this has been months now...
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My problem is not as severe - I can't connect to the internet. I can't wipe it from my system. Win7, 64bit. There doesn't seem to be any clue as to what is going on. I'm looking at a total rebuild. Shockingly ironic.
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NOT Win 8 but 7
Win 7 64-bit Ultimate, Avast Internet Security (paid version) 2014.9.0.2018
I have been running Avast on this system without problems for months. Apart from the latest batch of Windows updates on 14th May 2014, there have been no significant changes to my system.
However, Avast has begun "hanging", without warning. This shows itself thus:-
1) A mouse over on the tray icon would normally pop up a blue "all is ok" message, but this no longer happens. Right click on the icon to bring up Avast options doesn't work, so I cannot turn shields off or bring up the UI.
2) Although all tests tell me I am internet-connected, browsers etc will not connect to sites. Another machine, also running this version of Avast on Win 7 Home, has no problem connecting. Obviously traffic goes through Avast, and cannot do so if the program is hung.
3) Windows Explorer seems to stop working, and soft restart is not possible, so I then have to power off the machine.
I have run an Avast repair, and removed a couple of programs that might have been problematic (although they have coexisted for at least a year). Although Avast runs OK after restart, after a while, and independently of anything else, apparently, it again hangs. Windows Explorer seems to stop working, and starting any programs also causes a hang.
I have also run scans with Avast and Malwarebytes plus Windows MSRT, which show no problems. There are no Avast errors that I can see in the Event Log. I have also run all hardware tests and the system passes these.
Interestingly, this has just happened to me again. Having restarted system, I note the following about Avast:-
a) The animated icon is at present working, but mouseover DOES NOT show the blue “everything OK” popup but a plain text box saying “Avast!Antivirus:your system is secured”.
b) Right click the icon and nothing happens.
c) However, running the Avast UI from the desktop shows the full Avast UI screen.
I really have no idea what to do next, other than clear the whole thing out and reinstall Avast Internet Security from scratch, then reinsert my paid licence key.
Any suggestions welcome.
UPDATE
I have removed and reinstalled Avast (minus a lot of the extras like Sandbox etc.) and so far, it is working.
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Same sort of trouble with Win 7, upgrading Avast from 140519-1 (2014.9.02016). Free version.
Did it last week, and system wouldn't fire up again afterwards, except after restore and in SAFE mode or SAFE with Network mode, after about 2 - 3 hours effort.. But after using it in that mode I forgot about it, and the problem seemed to go away, was bale to shutdown and restart OK.
So being dumb, or brave, or naive (probably all 3) I thought I'd give it another go, when not pressed for time.
- Hoped the update would have been rectified by now
- Thought at most, if problem was the same, I could probably resuscitate it same way again in less time
But no. Wasted more than 3 hours this time, to get back to square one. >:(
But one thing I did learn. During start-up in Standard (not Safe) mode, at various stages, there are times when the PC just sits there with no sign of life for up to 15 mins or more as it tries to "heal" itself. You just have to keep leaving it for a long, long time, and eventually it seems to sort itself out. (A Plus for Win7 over earlier Windows is this ability to often find it's own way out of a hole)
But, after many wasted, frustrating hours, I am still only back to square one. Same outdated version of Avast in place. :'(
Am I dumb/naive/brave enough to try again, by completely uninstalling Avast, then installing a fresh copy ? Probably, as it has, to date, been good software (free version). But this kind of problem is a way to lose a reputation fast. If it fails this next time, I guess I'll be looking elsewhere for my AV software. ::)