Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: REDACTED on July 14, 2014, 05:03:57 PM
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Here's what i've noticed.......after booting up PC, starting ThunderBird and receiving all my E-mail, Task Manager at times is showing that AvastSVC.exe is using 99% of the CPU........i have no idea why or what it's doing, but when this happens, all my functions slow down to a crawl. I have let my PC sit idle for an extended period of time, but Task Manager still shows AvastSVC.exe using 99% of the CPU (it appears stuck there). I know for a fact (proved this many times) that if i try to start up Firefox when AvastSVC.exe using 99% of the CPU it will take 4 mins or longer to bring it up. Conversely, if AvastSVC.exe is using little CPU, Firefox comes up in about 20 secs. If i reboot my PC this will normally clear up this problem.
Has anyone else experienced this problem? Has anyone a resolution to this problem? How do we figure out why AvastSVC.exe is commandeering the lions share of the CPU when it shouldn't even be active? HELP!
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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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Already tried a repair of avast?
If not, do so and check if the problem is solved.
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- Which avast!..?? (Free/Pro/IS/Premier)..............Internet Security
- Which version..??..................2014.9.0.2021
- OS..?? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP..?)..........Windows/XP (32 bit)
- Other security related software installed..??.........none unless you count OpenDNS and Rapport
- Which AV(s) did you use before avast!..??..............AVAST free edition........can't remember what before then
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Eddy, what exactly is "a repair of avast" and how does one go about doing this?
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How about Eddy's suggestion..!?
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Eddy, what exactly is "a repair of avast" and how does one go about doing this?
Repair avast!:
1. Control Panel -> Add/Remove programs -> avast!
2. Click on 'Repair'.
3. Follow instructions.
4. Reboot.
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Eddy, i can certainly try that (repair), but before i do, there's something you should know. Late this past week in a last ditch attempt to resolve this issue, i uninstalled and reinstalled AVAST (Internet Security edition).
Should i still try the repair?
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I hope you did it like this (if not, please do so):
First make sure there are no remnants of a previously installed av other than avast.
http://www.ache.nl > malware > remove (old) av
1. Download Avastclear, Rejzors uninstall tool and the appropriate Avast program edition.
Here are the installer links. Note: You need to be ONLINE during this install.
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_online.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup_online.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_internet_security_setup_online.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup_online.exe
Avastclear : http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avastclear.exe
Rejzors Uninstall tool: http://rejzor.wordpress.com/avast-cleanup-tool/
2. Uninstall Avast by control panel [If you don't have Avast in control Panel go to #4]
3. Uninstall in Safe Mode using Avastclear.
http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
4. Run Rejzors Uninstall Utility in Normal Mode (removes traces avastclear doesn't) - reboot.
http://rejzor.wordpress.com/avast-cleanup-tool/
5. Be Sure Too Check Once Uninstall is Complete:Device Manager>View>Show Hidden Devices
If there is anything related to Avast with a yellow triangle then uninstall it (highlight, right click) and reboot.
6. Install the version you downloaded.
7. Reboot.
offline installers:
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup.exe
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No, i used the ADD/REMOVE programs feature under the CONTROL panel. Why isn't this a sufficient method to uninstall AVAST? It appears to have worked just fine.
Is AVAST such a convoluted, complex program that one has to go to the extreme measures mentioned to remove it? If so, maybe i'm using the wrong AV program?
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No, i used the ADD/REMOVE programs feature under the CONTROL panel. Why isn't this a sufficient method to uninstall AVAST? It appears to have worked just fine.
Is AVAST such a convoluted, complex program that one has to go to the extreme measures mentioned to remove it? If so, maybe i'm using the wrong AV program?
You will find that all good AV's offer an additional uninstall tool to ensure that everything is gone
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Is AVAST such a convoluted, complex program that one has to go to the extreme measures mentioned to remove it? If so, maybe i'm using the wrong AV program?
Every AV is hard to remove, else any malware could easily do it as well. ;)
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Eddy, what's the difference between Avastclear and Rejzors? Do they do the same thing? Do i have to run them both? The reason i ask is because i've never been able to do (run) anything in SAFE mode. Can i just run Rejzors and skip Avastclear? AVAST does show up under ADD/REMOVE programs in the CONTROL panel.
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Run avastclear in regular mode and allow it to boot into safe mode to do it's job.
You do not need to be in safe mode to run avastclear. :)
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Rejzors tool removes some things that avastclear doesn't.
Please just follow the steps I have given you.
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Rejzors tool removes some things that avastclear doesn't.
Please just follow the steps I have given you.
Eddy,
You don't need to be in safe mode to use the avast! removal tool.
You can start it in regular mode and It will reboot into safe mode to do it's job.
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Which means it has to run in safemode Bob :P
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Which means it has to run in safemode Bob :)
You're missing the point. :)
You do not need to boot into safe mode to use the tool.
Many people have a problem booting into safe mode which is not required.
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Eddy, i'm hung up on step 4 Run Rejzors Uninstall Utility in Normal Mode (removes traces avastclear doesn't) - reboot.
I click on the link.........it takes me to a Rejzors Little Secrets screen.........i scroll to the bottom and click the download icon.....it brings up a screen with a whole bunch of boxes on it........the AvastCleanupTool Public box is highlighted......i click the download key.......it creates an AvastCleanupTool.zip file which is then saved.......when i click on this file, it takes me to a screen with an address of C:\Downloads\AvastCleanupTool(1).zip........off to the right is a a GO arrow.......i click on it and nothing happens???????
HELP! I'm completely hung up with NO AV protection at the moment.
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I've never had a problem doing a clean install with simply using the avastclear tool.
Simply reinstall avast! using the avast! file you've already downloaded through Eddy's instructions.
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Eddy, as my system was exposed (no AV), i proceeded with your install instructions skipping step 4 as Bob suggested. The reinstall appears to be successful. Has it resolved my original problem.......time will tell. I can say that Firefox came up in good time after the last reboot and also good time when shutting it down and restarting it. The one thing i've come to realize about this problem, is that it's inconsistent ie. will work fine one time and then lousy the next.
Like i said, time will tell. I'll report here in a few days and let you know.
Many thanks to all who have assisted me with this issue.
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You may want to try rebooting one extra time to iron out all of the wrinkles. :)
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Bob, i did do the extra reboot.
After booting up my PC this morning, connecting to the internet, bringing up TB, i started Firefox........it took over 2.5 mins to come up. I monitoring my PC activity in Task Manager and noticed that during this delay AvastSVC.exe was using the lions share of the CPU (at times 99%). Like i'd said before, if we could figure out why this is happening we could resolve this issue.
I must admit that i was very skeptical whether or not that lengthy uninstall/reinstall would resolve my problem. Time has shown that it didn't. I don't ever want to go through that procedure again.......wasted hours of my time.
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I do not advise this., but you can tell avast to load later:
Settings > trouble shooting > load avast services only after loading other system services
Upon boot avast checks for emupdates which can be quit a few depending on how long the system has been turned off.
It also checks for regular vps update(s).
Both are installed at boot time.
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Eddy, i have already tried the change you're suggesting and it did nothing to alleviate my problem. This is NOT a startup problem ie. this is happening sometimes long after my PC is up and all functions are complete.
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You could try loading FF without any add-ons and see if that makes if difference.
If it does, then isolate the add-on that's causing the problem. :)
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Bob, i don't think the FF add-ons are the problem.
This morning after booting up my PC, it took 10.5 mins (worst time yet) to bring up Firefox. During this time, Task Manager showed AvastSVC.exe was getting the lions share (around 99%) of the CPU. The firefox.exe was getting 0 CPU (herein lies the problem). If we can figure out why AVAST is commandeering the lions share of the CPU, we could resolve this issue.
Interestingly, after i'd uninstalled AVAST and was running with NO AV protection, Firefox performed beautifully. It would appear that AVAST and FF don't play nice together. I'm starting to get suspicious that this is by design because AVAST doesn't want us using FF. OK, i'm probably being a little paranoid!
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Just do as Bob suggested.
Let's see what happens.
Also follow these instructions and attach the logs to your next post.
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0)
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Bob, i don't think the FF add-ons are the problem.
It might be worth disabling them and then re-enabling them one by one just to see what happens. I personally don't use the avast! browser plug-in. I have enough on Fx to keep me safe.
I'm starting to get suspicious that this is by design because AVAST doesn't want us using FF. OK, i'm probably being a little paranoid!
To be honest Firefox seems to load quicker on my underpowered laptop now that I'm using avast! as my AV. The AV I was using previously was pretty light as well.
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I have 26 extensions in this Firefox profile, and Firefox loads very quickly. If Firefox is an issue, then it's likely that some of the extensions installed are not fully compatible any more. Start Firefox in Firefox Safe Mode and see how long it takes.
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Eddy, i can certainly try disabling the FF add-ons, but you should know that i am currently running AVAST with the "browser protection" disabled. Is it still worth the test?
Also, i just booted up my PC and brought up ThunderBird. The only application running was TB and it had already downloaded any E-mail waiting to be processed, yet AvastSVC.exe was using 99% of the CPU (before i even tried bringing up FF). Now, from past experience, i know that if i try to bring up FF when AVAST has the lions share of the PC, it will take forever and in fact took 5.5 mins to come up. I do not think that FF is the problem here!
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Yes, it is still worth to try.
If it doesn't make a difference at least we know something more.
And please attach the logs as I asked.
Let's she if we can find something that shouldn't be there.
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Eddy, i looked at that link you provided to create logs and i'm confused. It talks about a number of products in it. What exactly do you want me to do? I don't have MalwareBytes on my PC.
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I decided to try something that made more sense to me than disabling the FF add-ons. As i'd mentioned previously, AvastSVC.exe grabs the lions share of the CPU even before bringing up FF, so i decided i'd disable the TB add-ons and guess what...................problem solved........FF came up i under 30 secs.
Now all i have to do is to isolate the TB add-on that's causing the problem.
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Please let us know what add-on it is that is causing the problem.
Information like that is always useful in case someone else has the same problem.
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TB addons stands for what ? Abbreviations are nice if they are universally understood by all. :)
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Sorry Bob, TB is the short form normally used for ThunderBird.
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Sorry Bob, TB is the short form normally used for ThunderBird.
Could also be a disease - Tuberculosis - which comes up on a google search. :)
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OK, here is what i've found out w.r.t. the 5 TB add-ons i was using. The add-on that appears to be causing the problem is one by the name of "Mail Tweak". I was able to enable the other 4 without causing this problem, but as soon as i enabled Mail Tweak, the problem cropped up it's ugly head. Just to be sure, i disabled it again and again the problem went away. As a further test, i enabled it again and again the problem came back.
The FF add-ons are not causing a problem.
I suggest leaving this thread open for some time just to be sure this problem has indeed been resolved.
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How do you access ThunderBird ???
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Via an icon on my desk top Bob. Seems like a weird question?
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Via an icon on my desk top Bob. Seems like a weird question?
If it's accessed through your browser on the internet, then it's not so strange. :)
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Thunderbird is a stand-alone email client from Mozilla. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/ (https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/)
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Just when you think the problem is solved! After booting my PC this morning, connecting to the internet, bringing up TB, i started FF.........took over 3.5 mins (damn).
Something worth noting........the following text popped up in FF (this has happened before).
A script on this page may be busy, or it may have stopped responding. You can stop the script now, or you can continue to see if the script will complete.
Script: chrome://browser/content/browser.js:9816
Does anyone know what this is about. I don't even have Google Chrome installed on my PC? Suggestions?
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Something interesting which i just found and which may be related to the aforementioned msg i sometimes get.
Under AVAST Settings........Troubleshooting, there's a box (currently unchecked) which reads "Do not use Chrome as AVAST default browser". I'm wondering if i should check this box? What do you guys think?
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Plot thickens! I have found that i can predict with 100% accuracy when FF will take a long time to come up. It's really very simple.......if the Task Manager shows that AvastSVC.exe is using the lions share (usually 99%) of the CPU, FF will take any where's from 4-6 mins to come up.
What we need to discover, is why AVAST is using the lions share of the CPU when it appears that nothing is going on in my PC? This morning, after booting up my PC and connecting to the internet, Task Manager showed AvastSVC.exe using 99% of the CPU even though no applications were running. I waited and waited, but AVAST did not abate. I finally had to restart my PC to clear up the problem.
The problem here is NOT TB, FF or it's add-ons, it's AVAST! I've checked all the AVAST settings and can't find anything that would explain this problem. I know it's not the virus update that slows it down as i'd already received a message that my virus definitions had been updated. I also know it's not a program update that's slowing it down as i have that option set to "ask" when update is ready to install. It's as if AVAST gets stuck and won't relinquish the CPU.
I have also noticed that it takes from 5 - 10 mins to print one sheet of paper on my HP printer. Interestingly, when this is happening, AvastSVC.exe is taking the lions share of the CPU. I believe this is all part of the problem.
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I had the same CPU situation several months ago. My two PCs with Avast! on board became unusably slow on the same day. I tried re-installing but that made no difference, although turning off the WebShield helped. I need my computers to work reliably, so I uninstalled Avast! and have been using AVG ever since. I prefer the look of Avast! but I've lost confidence in it. But I dolook at this forum in the hope that the problem will be identified and cured and I can go back to Avast!
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I have little hope that AVAST will ever solve this problem! AND, this is not a new problem, it's been around a long time. Just do an AVAST forum search using the keywords AvastSVC.exe and CPU and you'll get 184 hits.
I don't know if the AVAST support folks watch incidents in this forum or not, but they should be. Are they aware of this long standing problem? What if anything are they doing about it?
I'm starting to think the best way to solve this problem is to dump AVAST in favor or some other AV software same as jrm2 did. Unfortunately, i just recently purchased the Internet Security version of AVAST, mainly for the Firewall (the free edition worked just fine, but no firewall).
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I have little hope that AVAST will ever solve this problem! AND, this is not a new problem, it's been around a long time. Just do an AVAST forum search using the keywords AvastSVC.exe and CPU and you'll get 184 hits.
I don't know if the AVAST support folks watch incidents in this forum or not, but they should be. Are they aware of this long standing problem? What if anything are they doing about it?
I'm starting to think the best way to solve this problem is to dump AVAST in favor or some other AV software same as jrm2 did. Unfortunately, i just recently purchased the Internet Security version of AVAST, mainly for the Firewall (the free edition worked just fine, but no firewall).
This apparently isn't a problem experience by a majority of users or there would be much more of an uproar about the
problem you're experiencing.
Avast does monitor the forum and, I've reported this thread to the Moderators to draw their attention to your problem.
Hope that helps. :)
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Thanks Bob, i hope it helps as well. Excuse my frustration!
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In hope of finding a solution to this problem, i've done a little experimenting.
Under AVAST.......Settings........Active Protection, i tried turning off some of the shields (one at a time) to see if it made a difference in the amount of CPU AvastSVC.exe was using. I hit pay dirt when i turned off the AVAST firewall.........i'd turned on the Windows firewall prior to doing this as i wanted at least one firewall running. After turning off the AVAST firewall. the AvastSVC.exe CPU usage dropped way down (insignificant).........the System Idle Process was now getting the lions share of the CPU. When i turned it back on and then turned off the Windows firewall, the AvastSVC.exe CPU usage shot way back up again. I repeated this test a couple of times with the same result.
I have also noted that the AvastSVC.exe CPU usage doesn't shoot back up after turning the AVAST firewall back on as long as i leave the Windows firewall running as well. As soon as i stop the Windows firewall, the AvastSVC.exe CPU usage shoots back up. However, i've been told that you don't want to run more than one firewall at the same time (can cause problems).
The main reason i switched to the AVAST Internet Security addition was for the firewall.
Have i identified this problem here? What do we do about it?
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@ Bobbybear,
I'll test your findings tomorrow when I'm on a system that's running avast! IS and uses the included firewall.
The system I'm currently using has avast! Free and the Windows firewall in Windows 8.1 with the upgrades.
I can't really say that I find any slowdowns. YouTube runs without any hesitations and the downloads are quick.
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Like i said Bob, i never had this problem with the free edition of AVAST. I believe the problem occurs with the AVAST firewall. Question is, will AVAST do anything about it?
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I was using Avast Free with Comodo firewall when I had this problem.
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I have requested a full refund for the AVAST IS edition i'd installed. I'd upgraded to the IS edition for the firewall. If i can't use it, there's no point in paying for it.
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@ Bobbybear,
I'll test your findings tomorrow when I'm on a system that's running avast! IS and uses the included firewall.
The system I'm currently using has avast! Free and the Windows firewall in Windows 8.1 with the upgrades.
I can't really say that I find any slowdowns. YouTube runs without any hesitations and the downloads are quick.
I'm unfortunately a little under the weather today so I never made it to the Senior Center and never used the system
that's protected by avast! IS.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. :'(
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Sorry to hear Bob......get well quickly. :)
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I have been running my system for the last 2 days with the AVAST firewall turned off and have experienced no slow-downs or problems.
Now that i've identified the problem, what's going to be done about it?
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Here are my "scientific" findings:
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1406302209955-35151.png)
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1406303345092-21302.png)
I am currently leaving the avast! Firewall OFF and relying on the windows firewall in Windows 8.1.
I've also just finished watching a fairly long video: http://youtu.be/qsi28fMmErE (http://youtu.be/qsi28fMmErE)
I had no interruptions or slowdowns while watching the video.
(Dell Vostro 1700 32 bit - avast! IS 2014.9.0.2021
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Bob, that's what i'd expect. Out of curiosity, what CPU usage is AvastSVC.exe showing with the Avast firewall on?
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Bob, that's what i'd expect. Out of curiosity, what CPU usage is AvastSVC.exe showing with the Avast firewall on?
No clue since it's not a system I currently have access to. Will not use it again till Mon.
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Avast runs great with it's firewall turned off. I'm told they will refund the money i spent to upgrade to the Internet Security version. I have uninstalled Avast IS and re-installed the free version of Avast. I am running it with the Windows firewall and all is good!
If others are having the same problem i was, you may want to consider doing the same.
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I'm still keeping avast! IS. I'm not using the firewall at the moment and hope
they fix the apparent memory usage problem soon.