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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: ncjimgir on January 29, 2007, 03:36:19 AM

Title: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: ncjimgir on January 29, 2007, 03:36:19 AM
Are there any boot scan switches that can be used to modify the boot scan behavior?
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: joeloucyn on January 29, 2007, 06:01:44 AM
Here are some of the "switches" (command line options):
"C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\SCHED.EXE" /?
usage:
  sched /A:area [/RA:action [/RS:reply] ] [/archives]   - schedules launching
    area = * or folder1;folder2 ...
    action = delete or move or chest or repair or ignore
    reply = yes or no
  sched /D   - unschedules boot-time scanner launching
  sched /F:"file"   - schedules delayed file operations (listed in given file)
  sched /U   - unschedules boot-time scanner and any scheduled file operations


You could use these in a batch file.

Found this from here:
Actually, there IS a way to schedule the boot-time from a command-line, even in the Home Edition.

See the sched.exe program in the avast folder.

Type sched /? to find out how to use it.
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: ncjimgir on January 29, 2007, 03:31:28 PM
Thanks for the reply.

Can you tell me what the reply switch does (/RS:reply) and
the delayed file operations (/F:"file") switch?

Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: igor on January 29, 2007, 03:41:55 PM
The /RS switch selects the default answer (= confirmation) for infected files found inside of the system folder.

The /F switch makes it possible to perform delayed file operations (i.e. deleting/renaming of files after restart) using the boot-time scanner. It's currently used internally in avast! and it actutally doesn't have anything to do with an antivirus scan (i.e. you can safely ignore it ;)).
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: ncjimgir on January 29, 2007, 03:44:26 PM
Thanks igor,

Is there an option to create a log file of the actions that occur during the boot time scan?
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: igor on January 29, 2007, 03:57:28 PM
I believe the report file is created automatically in <avast4>\Data\Report\aswBoot.txt
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: joeloucyn on January 30, 2007, 12:33:48 AM
Under action,
It has: action = delete or move or chest or repair or ignore
How would you specify move to a specific file or is it actually misworded and should say "move to chest"?
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: ncjimgir on January 30, 2007, 12:41:59 AM
I believe the report file is created automatically in <avast4>\Data\Report\aswBoot.txt


Yeppers, it reports the find.


Is there a way to set the boot time scan to automatically (no prompt) delete or move infected files that reside in the system directories.  The command line I am using below is removing everything but the infected system files.

"C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\SCHED.exe" /A:* /RA:delete /RS:no
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: igor on January 30, 2007, 12:56:01 AM
Under action,
It has: action = delete or move or chest or repair or ignore
How would you specify move to a specific file or is it actually misworded and should say "move to chest"?

"Move" means the same as in Windows GUI - move to a specific folder (by default <avast4>\Data\Moved, possibly appending .vir extension to the filename; don't know if the boot-time scanner performs the rename as well or not).

Is there a way to set the boot time scan to automatically (no prompt) delete or move infected files that reside in the system directories.  The command line I am using below is removing everything but the infected system files.

"C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\SCHED.exe" /A:* /RA:delete /RS:no

I believe (though I'm not 100% sure, didn't really try that one) that /RS:yes should do it.
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: ncjimgir on January 30, 2007, 01:33:52 AM
That did the trick!!!

Thanks
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: DavidR on January 30, 2007, 01:36:10 AM
Is there a way to set the boot time scan to automatically (no prompt) delete or move infected files that reside in the system directories.  The command line I am using below is removing everything but the infected system files.

"C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\SCHED.exe" /A:* /RA:chest /RS:no

Deletion isn't really a good first option (you have none left), 'first do no harm' don't delete, send virus to the chest, check the aswBoot.txt/chest and investigate.

"C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\SCHED.exe" /A:* /RA:chest /RS:yes
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: ncjimgir on January 30, 2007, 01:57:50 AM
Thanks, I made the change.
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: DavidR on January 30, 2007, 02:00:54 AM
No problem, welcome to the forums.
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: Lisandro on January 30, 2007, 02:02:33 AM
Like David, I will never delete system files without manual confirmation...
I want to boot my system and false positives could occur  ;)
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: ncjimgir on January 30, 2007, 03:14:18 AM
I want to boot my system and false positives could occur  ;)


When you say "I want to boot my system and false positives could occur" does this mean that moving "system" files to the chest instead of deleting would still allow the operating system to boot?


Kind Regards and thanks for the welcome,

Jim
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: Lisandro on January 30, 2007, 11:58:12 AM
When you say "I want to boot my system and false positives could occur" does this mean that moving "system" files to the chest instead of deleting would still allow the operating system to boot?
No, the system won't boot IF I do not restore the system file. Even infected, I need it to boot.
Then, you can manage some infections, using the SFC Windows command to restore the original system files back. Otherwise, deleting the file, you can't restore them (delete is NOT the same as send the file to Recycle bin, delete is caput, erase, no more file...).
Did I make myself clear this time? ::)
Sometimes I spoke a too technical speech... ;D
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: ncjimgir on January 30, 2007, 02:26:54 PM
Not too technical, just want to verify avast capabilities.

How much luck have you had using SFC to replace infected system files?
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: Lisandro on January 30, 2007, 03:29:21 PM
How much luck have you had using SFC to replace infected system files?
With System Restore disabled, I see no reason for it to fail with drivers and libraries (.sys and .dll).
With executables, you can extract it from the CD as well.
I have restored system files using SFC command before, no trouble. Although (thanks God!) not because an infection.
Title: Re: avast! Boot Scan Switches
Post by: ncjimgir on January 30, 2007, 03:34:39 PM
Thanks