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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Stridey on April 08, 2007, 02:35:52 PM

Title: Windows Lockups
Post by: Stridey on April 08, 2007, 02:35:52 PM
Hi there,

I've got Avast 4.7. Recently, after what I suspect are the latest batch of windows updates Ashserv.exe (Avast - obviously) is hitting high CPU usage.

This is causing a temporary PC lockup for about 1-4 seconds and as you might imagine it's very frustrating.
Normally I would uninstall the problem program but Avast is far and away the best AV available.

Has any of the Avast peoples encountered this problem?

I've included the DXDiag info here: http://geordiekid.googlepages.com/DxDiag.txt

Thanks
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: DavidR on April 08, 2007, 03:02:34 PM
On my system I wouldn't notice a 1-4 second lock-up but it can be that avast is waiting for an essential service to load, commonly something is locking/hanging the RPC service.

During this time do you see a red circle with a bar (like a no entry sign) over the avast icon in the system tray ?

If so the current beta version of avast has a fast start (or faster) function that might help see http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=27439.0 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=27439.0) if you aren't averse to using a beta trial. Read the topic and see what snags or issues there are (they are very few) and might they effect your system.

Or you could simply revert to the Uninstall, reboot and install, this has on occasion cleared the high CPU issue. It would probably be best to download the latest version of avast and save it to your HDD, somewhere you can find it again. Use that when you reinstall.
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Stridey on April 08, 2007, 03:06:23 PM
On my system I wouldn't notice a 1-4 second lock-up but it can be that avast is waiting for an essential service to load, commonly something is locking/hanging the RPC service.

During this time do you see a red circle with a bar (like a no entry sign) over the avast icon in the system tray ?

No sir

Quote
If so the current beta version of avast has a fast start (or faster) function that might help see http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=27439.0 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=27439.0) if you aren't averse to using a beta trial. Read the topic and see what snags or issues there are (they are very few) and might they effect your system.

Or you could simply revert to the Uninstall, reboot and install, this has on occasion cleared the high CPU issue. It would probably be best to download the latest version of avast and save it to your HDD, somewhere you can find it again. Use that when you reinstall.

That's sound advice. I'll start there and reply with results, thanks
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Lisandro on April 08, 2007, 03:13:31 PM
To create the dump, download and run http://public.avast.com/~vlk/hangrep.exe . In the list of processes select ashserv.exe and use the Save button. This generates a file which you can either send to his email address vlk (at) avast.com (if it's smaller than e.g. 1 MB, ZIPed), or upload to ftp://ftp.avast.com/incoming
But you have to be quick (during that 1-4 seconds).

The command-line version http://public.avast.com/~vlk/userdump.exe . The syntax is
userdump.exe ashServ.exe c:\ashServ.dmp
(producing dump file in the root of C:\ drive) but, again, you have to be quick (during that 1-4 seconds).

Also, check the folder <avast>\data\log
Are there any files called unpXXXX there  (where XXXX is a random number)?
If so, send them to vlk (at) avast.com
They may contain more information about the problem (maybe a link to this thread).
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: DavidR on April 08, 2007, 03:18:11 PM
No problem, welcome to the forums.

No need for airs and graces here, I'm just an avast user like yourself, so we can dispense with the sir ;D unless you know something I don't, I'm just about to be Knighted ;D

David
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Stridey on April 08, 2007, 03:32:21 PM
No problem, welcome to the forums.

No need for airs and graces here, I'm just an avast user like yourself, so we can dispense with the sir ;D unless you know something I don't, I'm just about to be Knighted ;D

David

Being polite costs nothing. It's something an awful lot of people (who like to endanger their life) seem so foolish to forget when anywhere near me.

I'm about to reboot and reinstall the latest version of Avast. The beta didn't work. I will keep you informed.

Thanks
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Stridey on April 08, 2007, 03:52:43 PM
Yeah, it's still doing it

/grumble
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Lisandro on April 08, 2007, 04:02:59 PM
Yeah, it's still doing it

/grumble
Can you try the dump?
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Stridey on April 08, 2007, 04:09:17 PM
Yeah, it's still doing it

/grumble
Can you try the dump?

Yeah, I did, I e-mailed as instructed.

Here is an alternative link: http://geordiekid.googlepages.com/ashServ.exe.zip
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Stridey on April 08, 2007, 07:10:42 PM
Yeah, it's still doing it

/grumble
Can you try the dump?

Yeah, I did, I e-mailed as instructed.

Here is an alternative link: http://geordiekid.googlepages.com/ashServ.exe.zip

OK, I've Avast uninstalled at the moment. Anyone got any ideas?
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Lisandro on April 08, 2007, 10:26:36 PM
OK, I've Avast uninstalled at the moment. Anyone got any ideas?
Today is Sunday... maybe you need to give Vlk some time to get your dump and analyze it...
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Stridey on April 08, 2007, 10:31:29 PM
OK, I've Avast uninstalled at the moment. Anyone got any ideas?
Today is Sunday... maybe you need to give Vlk some time to get your dump and analyze it...

I'd no idea. Ok, I'll wait, thanks
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Lisandro on April 09, 2007, 02:54:05 AM
I'd no idea. Ok, I'll wait, thanks
I've sent a warning to them... but, again, today is Easter Sunday... 8)
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Stridey on April 09, 2007, 11:34:53 AM
I'd no idea. Ok, I'll wait, thanks
I've sent a warning to them... but, again, today is Easter Sunday... 8)

Tech, that's cool fella, thanks

For the moment I've uninstalled Avast while I'm awaiting a reply. I'll do a full system scan when I find the solution and reinstall.

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Stridey on April 09, 2007, 03:23:00 PM
I just got impatient and reinstalled Avast.

Seems to be working

/looks bewildered

Cheers for your help and I'll be back if the problem returns

Cheers
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: DavidR on April 09, 2007, 05:38:53 PM
Your welcome, glad we could help.

Don't just visit the forums if you have a problem, it could be a long time (fingers crossed), stick around and browse the forums, especially the sticky topics at the top of each of the forums, not to mention the avast help file. They provide a wealth of information to help you get the best from avast.
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Vlk on April 09, 2007, 11:17:09 PM
Well, the dump file had zero-length so it was of no use and it's really hard to tell what went wrong... But anyway, since it's working now... :)

Cheers
Vlk
Title: Re: Windows Lockups
Post by: Lisandro on April 10, 2007, 03:00:22 AM
Well, the dump file had zero-length so it was of no use and it's really hard to tell what went wrong... But anyway, since it's working now... :)
Cheers Vlk
Thanks for coming here Vlk.