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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: REDACTED on July 16, 2015, 08:28:58 PM

Title: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 16, 2015, 08:28:58 PM
Hello,

I've just updated to v2015.10.3.2223 (Avast free), and Firefox consistently consumes an extra of 20 MB RAM when starting the browser.
I only have the three shields installed (no tools).

I'd appreciate your help.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: Para-Noid on July 16, 2015, 09:55:30 PM
Does it go down soon after you open Firefox?
If it does and seeing it's taking only 20 MB I wouldn't worry about it.
Right now FF is using over 400 MB of CPU on my system.
It also matters how many and which add-ons you have.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 16, 2015, 11:08:28 PM
Hi Para-Noid,

Thanks for replying. I really appreciate it.

FF used to start with 220 MB (it goes down after a while).
I meant to ask why Firefox consumes an extra of 20 MB with v2015.10.3.2223 in comparison with Avast previous version.
- I haven't changed any settings in FF.

Win 7 32-bit.

Best regards.

Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: bob3160 on July 16, 2015, 11:15:10 PM
Possible because f a difference in the Avast AOS module ???
Just a guess. :)
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 16, 2015, 11:30:53 PM
Hi bob3160,

Thank you. I appreciate your help too.

Could you please elaborate a bit?
May I ask one of Avast's developers to refer to the issue?

May you have many more years of happiness. :)
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 16, 2015, 11:38:05 PM
http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=2947901
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: DavidR on July 16, 2015, 11:49:27 PM
Firefox has been a bit of a RAM hog, I regularly see mine close to 500MB for firefox.exe, so I wouldn't be overly concerned about an extra 20MB. I would like to see my firefox as low as 200MB RAM, but RAM is essentially there to be used, not much point having it otherwise.

There used to be another firefox entry in task manager PluginContainer.exe or something close to that. But that appears to have gone now.

I have lots of add-ons around 30 and usually have multiple tabs open and that will add to the RAM usage.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 17, 2015, 12:01:00 AM
Hi DavidR,

Thank you.

I don't really mind the extra 20MB. I just want to figure out the cause, and whether I should reinstall Avast.
"PluginContainer.exe" is for Out-of-Process management; it should start when Adobe Flash (etc.) is activated.

Best regards.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: bob3160 on July 17, 2015, 12:29:30 AM
Hi bob3160,

Thank you. I appreciate your help too.

Could you please elaborate a bit?
May I ask one of Avast's developers to refer to the issue?

May you have many more years of happiness. :)
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1437085724461-32575.png)
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: DavidR on July 17, 2015, 12:31:46 AM
Hi DavidR,

Thank you.

I don't really mind the extra 20MB. I just want to figure out the cause, and whether I should reinstall Avast.
"PluginContainer.exe" is for Out-of-Process management; it should start when Adobe Flash (etc.) is activated.

Best regards.

I don't believe reinstalling avast would make a difference - what Bob said it is possible the avast browser plugin Avast Online Security (AOS) could make a difference. It does some checks over and above what the Web Shield does. I don't have that installed so I can't show you its settings (click the AOS icon in firefox, scroll down to settings) and you should get some idea of what else it does.

If you have that installed try disabling/uninstalling it and see if that makes a difference.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 17, 2015, 02:01:13 AM
Thanks again Bob and David. I appreciate your kind help.

I don't have any tools installed (only the three shields).

Best regards.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: DavidR on July 17, 2015, 03:32:41 PM
You're welcome.

I just wonder if this might be related to the Web Shield doing more - e.g. scanning HTTPS pages now, but that would probably have been seen in the earlier 2015 versions.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 17, 2015, 03:40:39 PM
I just tested this.

Firefox 39 memory usage on startup before avast upgrade = 215-218 MB

Firefox 39 memory usage on startup after Avast! upgrade = 214-219 MB

I don't think avast! is causing the memory problem, or at least it isn't for me.

If you are still having issues with Firefox memory usage you could try writing a bug report on Bugzilla.mozilla.org.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: RejZoR on July 17, 2015, 03:45:09 PM
It's 2015. Are you really complicating over 20MB of RAM usage? Programs need RAM to operate you know. Having it unusued and idling is silly thing to do...
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 17, 2015, 05:21:07 PM
@David,
Thanks again.
I have disabled HTTPS scanning in both versions.

@ItNoWork,
Thanks for testing it.
What OS do you use?

@RejZoR,
I'm quite sure it's an indication to some problem. At least on my machine.

***
I uninstalled Avast using http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avastclear.exe.
Without Avast, Firefox consumes 220 MB on start-up.

Clean-installing v2015.10.3.2223:
Firefox consumes 240 MB.

Clean-installing v2015.10.2.2215:
Firefox consumes 220 MB.

Best regards.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: bob3160 on July 17, 2015, 05:56:08 PM
Using an older version also gives you less protection.
Your computer, your choice. :)
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 17, 2015, 06:42:50 PM
@ItNoWork,
Thanks for testing it.
What OS do you use?

***
I uninstalled Avast using http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avastclear.exe.
Without Avast, Firefox consumes 220 MB on start-up.

Clean-installing v2015.10.3.2223:
Firefox consumes 240 MB.

Clean-installing v2015.10.2.2215:
Firefox consumes 220 MB.

Best regards.

Sorry forgot to mention, I use Windows 7 (most recent version)

As for the problem, the only thing that I can think of that would affect Firefox's memory would be Avast! Online Security (aka AOS) as mentioned by bob3160, its a browser plugin that (I think) gets automatically installed when you install Avast!. You mentioned that you reinstalled Avast!, did you do the default install or a custom install?
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 17, 2015, 08:12:13 PM
@ItNoWork,

Thanks again. I really appreciate it.

Custom install. No tools/plugins.


@bob3160,

I want a better protection, but I'm afraid there's something wrong with the new version on my machine.
Thanks.

***
Does anybody know how to  contact Avast team?
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: bob3160 on July 17, 2015, 09:39:29 PM
@ItNoWork,

Thanks again. I really appreciate it.

Custom install. No tools/plugins.


@bob3160,

I want a better protection, but I'm afraid there's something wrong with the new version on my machine.
Thanks.

***
Does anybody know how to  contact Avast team?

https://support.avast.com/Tickets/Submit/RenderForm/27/&cls02&ptf01&lic01&scr06
Choose your language and submit your problem directly to Avast.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 17, 2015, 10:02:06 PM
@Bob,

I've submitted a ticket. Thank you so much.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: bob3160 on July 17, 2015, 10:52:33 PM
@Bob,

I've submitted a ticket. Thank you so much.
My pleasure. Please let us know what answer you receive. :)
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 17, 2015, 11:04:49 PM
I certainly will. If and when... :)

Best regards.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 17, 2015, 11:38:43 PM
Do a repair and remove the plugin for browser protection.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 18, 2015, 12:25:04 AM
I don't have the plugin installed.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 18, 2015, 01:26:43 PM
There is a way to see where the extra memory is coming from. Firefox has memory meassuring capabilities, to access it open a new tab and type in the address bar "about:memory" click meassure and it will create a memory report which will show how Firefox is using memory. If there is a difference of 20MB with latest version of Avast! about:memory should be able to see where that extra 20MB is coming from.

Creating about:memory reports of Firefox without Avast! installed and with Avast! installed will really help. I won't be able to read the reports but the people at Mozilla will be able to. If Avast support is unable to help, I suggest filing a bug report on Bugzilla.mozilla.org with "memshink" in the Whiteboard, this will get the attention of the mozilla developers that deal will memory usage issues.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 18, 2015, 04:43:23 PM
Hi ItNoWork,

That's a good idea. Thank you.
I've uninstalled and reinstalled Avast a few times during the last three days (quite a headache).
I'm currently trying Panda AV, and I'd rather wait for an explanation From Avast team before installing it again.

I'm not sure about filing a bug in Mozilla; the problem seems to be in Avast new version.

Best regards.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: bob3160 on July 18, 2015, 06:34:34 PM
Hi ItNoWork,

That's a good idea. Thank you.
I've uninstalled and reinstalled Avast a few times during the last three days (quite a headache).
I'm currently trying Panda AV, and I'd rather wait for an explanation From Avast team before installing it again.

I'm not sure about filing a bug in Mozilla; the problem seems to be in Avast new version.

Best regards.
Problem is you interpretation. I personally don't see a problem at all.
No two version ever have the same MB usage unless there hasn't been any change.
Even without change, there are many other factor that weight into this situation none of which may be Avast related.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: Eddy on July 20, 2015, 04:53:53 AM
I agree with Bob.
I don't also see no problem at all.

Yaron, what you are doing is saying e.g.
1000 km + 1 mm is more than 1000 km.
But do you really notice a difference when walking both distances ?
I bet you don't.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 20, 2015, 05:39:34 PM
Martin and Lukas (Avast team) have contacted me. Thank you both.

I'll update later.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on July 22, 2015, 11:30:29 PM
Hello all,

I've just sent the following lines to Lukas.

***
I think I've found the explanation:

I use Roboform which (in a certain configuration) does not attach to Firefox 39.
I've changed (with Resource Hacker FX) the version in firefox.exe from 39 to 38, and thus Roboform works properly.

Prior to v2223, Avast wouldn't try to prevent the change, and also there was no difference between running the the original firefox.exe and the new modified one.
With v2223 , Avast tried to prevent the change (I chose to exclude). Also, when running the new modified firefox.exe - it consumes an extra 20 MB on start-up.
Interestingly - adding "firefox.exe" to Settings -> Exceptions, solved the problem (no extra 20 MB) for that session; but after reboot it's there again: a difference between the original file to the modified one.

I'd be grateful for a solution.
(I'd be glad to send you the dump files if you still think it might help).
***

Best regards.
Title: Re: Firefox: extra 20 MB on start-up
Post by: REDACTED on August 28, 2015, 04:42:43 PM
Continued here (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=175754.msg1247378#msg1247378).