Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Epsi on August 14, 2007, 02:42:13 PM
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When my PC goes on it boots direcly into windows XP SP2. And in the bottom right corner, next to to the clock only the avast and my lan icons come on. So every time I have to log off, and log back in for all my icons to show there. I tryed the "Delay Avast service.." option in the troubleshooting section, it makes no difrence on my system. Can you guys please fix this? or tell me how I can fix this on my system? I can give you a full list of all the programs that runs when windows starts, but I dout the problem lies there.
Also the update dialog is very basic and big... how about adding more info to it? like estimate download time, time passed... Avg download speed... just make it more informative please.
Thanks I've been useing avast for about 2 months now, and except for not detecting VirtuMonde it has not failed me.
Epsi
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1. Have (or did) you another AV installed in this system, if so what was it and how did you get rid of it ?
It could possibly be your internet connection has started and avast is checking for updates, how do you connect to the internet, broadband, etc. ?
If so you could try to delay the update checks until your system has stabilised.
You need to edit the [InetWD] section of the C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Data\avast4.ini file and add the following line:
Broadband connections, add this line: AlwaysConnectedWaitSeconds=120
The figure is seconds and the above equates to two minutes, you could try that and adjust upwards if required, 180, 240, etc.
2. The avast update dialogue shows you how big the file is that will be downloaded and it also has progress bars to indicate how much has been downloaded. Since avast uses incremental updates for the VPS (signatures) updates the download size is often very small 25-50KB frequently less, any time taken or time remaining is likely to be pointless (IMHO).
I was never a fan of the AVG update, horrendous and very long, one of the major reasons why I jumped the AVG ship almost three and a half years ago and I haven't looked back.
3. VirtuMonde can be a pain but for the most part it is adware/spyware, whilst avast detects much adware/spyware signatures it isn't a specialist adware/spyware application. To that end I would advise toy have an anti-spyware application.
If you haven't already got this software (freeware), download, install, update and run it periodically.
1. If using winXP AVG anti-spyware (formerly Ewido) (http://www.ewido.net/en/download/). Or SUPERantispyware (http://www.superantispyware.com) Or Spyware Terminator (http://www.spywareterminator.com/).
2. Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition (http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/Ad-Aware/adaware.html)
3. Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download)
4. Spywareblaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html) Don't install this until you are clean.
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1. NO I did not have anything installed. Actually I had to reformat my PC after I tried to uninstall Norton. So once I had windows on I did a bit of research and decided I'll give Avast a go,since its free. And if it's crap I'll switch over to NOD32. As you can see I'm still runing Avast, it's just these 2 small things that I anoys me.
2. The update dialog of Avast is just so big and bulky, either make it smaller or give it a reason to be so big, by makeing it more informative (IMHO).
3. I run Spybot Search and Destroy v1.4 and Ad-Aware SE Professional Build 1.06r1. Actually Its Ad-Aware SE Pro that detected VirtuMonde. Spybot has it in its Defintion file but failed to detect it. Also Ad-Aware SE Pro can detect it, but was unable to remove it. Had to get Symantec Adware.VirtuaMonde Removal Tool 1.0.3 to get rid of it.
Anyway that's not my point.
I can promise you 99% of people are not going to edit their avast4.ini file, it should be in a option dialog somewhere.
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1. personally I don't feel that avast is cr*p, having had it for 31/2 years and it hasn't let me down either.
2. it has been a huge amount of time since I used AVG update and then it was butt ugly and so slow. I don't know what resolution you are using nut on my system (1680x1050) the update dialogue isn't large, nor is the text. So I'm not even sure we are talking about the same dialogue, see image actual size.
3. I thought adaware would catch it since it is adware.
Unfortunately there isn't in a dialogue to change the update delay and it is outside my influence as I'm just an avast user like you. Personally I feel the default value should be at least two minutes before avast checks and I feel that everything should have settled by then. avast is extremely flexible and configurable unfortunately if you but all of this in a dialogue that would be very large and unwieldy. To get an idea of the settings you can adjust through avast4.ini check out this thread Understanding avast4.ini file (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=1647.0).
So if you are in the 99% that won't edit the avast4.ini file (which I don't think is the case) we will never know if this was the reason for the problem.
There are many who having come to the forums and been offered the option to edit the avast4.ini file they have. Some expressed concern over a lack of confidence in how to do this and we give them more detailed help. No one would know about editing the avast4.ini file unless they had come to the forums and that option had been suggested, so it is not as if they would be doing this on their own initiative.
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I can give you a full list of all the programs that runs when windows starts, but I dout the problem lies there.
Can you write down this list here?
Also the update dialog is very basic and big... how about adding more info to it? like estimate download time, time passed... Avg download speed... just make it more informative please.
Maybe you can add this to the wishlist at the top of the board (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=2.0).
And if it's crap I'll switch over to NOD32.
avast is not a crap. NOD32 is not free.
2. The update dialog of Avast is just so big and bulky, either make it smaller or give it a reason to be so big, by makeing it more informative (IMHO).
Use silent mode for updates.
I can promise you 99% of people are not going to edit their avast4.ini file, it should be in a option dialog somewhere.
I can promise I'm on the 1% of these people.
Welcome to the most configurable antivirus round.
Just click 'Settings' in my signature to see more.
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With this I include a startup report made with Spybot - Search & Destroy v1.5 Beta.
And please I said IF Avast is crap I will use NOD32... Obviosly I'm still running Avast. and not NOD32. So stop Quoteing that part!!!
And I was talking of the download dialog, not the summary one. for that guy that posted the image.
And I dont want to FORCE myself to use silent mode. Also not all of us have fast internet, I live in a 3rd world country and over here internet is a luxery, and rather slow... and unstable... and expensive. thats why a more detailed download dialog would be nice.
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That guy speaking - For me the download and the summary are very much the same size, obviously I couldn't show that as there wasn't one when I did a manual check.
I supposedly live in a developed country and live in the Heart of England, but when it comes to telephone infrastructure the UK is way behind many so called developing countries. I still can't get broadband (too far from the exchange to get a reliable broadband connection), so I soldier on with a dial-up connection.
Silent mode won't improve the download speed that is constrained by your connection/download speed, so in which case you see no information at all (no download file size) to gage how long it might be..
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... so helpfull... and on topic... thank you.
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Hi Epsi, I can tell you, from using 3 other AV's in the past, that the Avast definitions updates are as fast as any, and a lot faster than some. The update file is fairly small. The program updates, when they occur, are fairly large of course, but this is the case with any application.
I've been using it well over a year, no problems worth speaking of. (ie, couple of minor ones, that were solved easily.)
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...Again. Thanks... BUT THE UPDATE DIALOG IS NOT MY PROBLEM!!!
Every time I start my PC up, it auto logs into my account, since its the only account on the pc, since its my pc. Anyway then the only thing running ... or showing that its running in the bottom corner is Avast, my LAN connection, and my internert conections icons.
So then every time my pc starts up I have to log out and back in. When I log back in all the programs icons in the bottom right corner show up.
So evey time I turn my pc on I have to log out and back in. It's statring to get old fast.
Understand my problem now? I cant make it any more obvios.
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You could try DavidR's suggestion about changing the update time in the ini file. This way you could eliminate or determine if the update process is somehow getting in the way of the other programs.
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I did updated the ini file yesterday. didnt work. Below is how my InetWD inside avast4.ini looks.
Did i do it wrong?
[InetWD]
UseRAS=1
AssumeAlwaysConnected=0
UpdatePeriod=240
AlwaysConnectedWaitSeconds=120
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That particular edit won't work as it is for broadband always on connections and not dial-up (see below).
[InetWD]
RASWaitSeconds=120
I suspect that this problem at start-up is unrelated to avast's auto update based on Epsi's comment (over here internet is a luxery, and rather slow... and unstable...and expensive.) is on dial-up, which I doubt connects automatically on boot. Like myself I only connect to the internet using dial-up when I want to collect email or browse and disconnect immediately.
@ Epsi
Personally I can't understand why it takes two boots/logons get all your icons in the system tray. If this were truly an avast issue then the problem would be consistent what you get on logon shouldn't change on subsequent logons.
You offered to tell us what other software is loaded when windows starts, so if you could list those for us ?
In the meantime I did a google search, http://www.google.com/search?q=icons+missing+from+system+tray+after+boot (http://www.google.com/search?q=icons+missing+from+system+tray+after+boot) and that returns many hits. This missing icons from the system tray is a common issue with XP but not one associated with avast, usually missing icons are the avast ones killed by other security software.
These are just a few of those hits:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/01/04/system-tray-icon-missing-from-system-tray-in-windows-xp/ (http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/01/04/system-tray-icon-missing-from-system-tray-in-windows-xp/)
http://www.tech-pro.net/howto_013.html (http://www.tech-pro.net/howto_013.html)
http://www.techzonez.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-16911.html (http://www.techzonez.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-16911.html)
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I already posted my statup list.
... I just think it's Avast cause it's the only icon in my taskbar... along with my LAN. So that is why I suspect Avast. I'll run some tests. find out what it is... maby it's like you said and has nothing to do with avast.
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I already posted my statup list.
Well... there are quite some programs that could be delayed with Startup Delayer (http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay).
This freeware controls the windows startup that does not follow a strict order.
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The fact that avast is the only icon on the system tray doesn't mean it is avast at fault as I said this is a common XP issue and not one associated with avast otherwise it would be all over the forums. Do a forum search for missing icons and you will see it is usually the avast icons that are getting killed and not the other way round.
You also have an application that may or may not have an impact.
Located: HK_LM:Run, SigmatelSysTrayApp (DISABLED)
command: sttray.exe
file: C:\WINDOWS\sttray.exe
size: 282624
MD5: 6B6B6135A972F09ADB4B12702FB8E0E5
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/sttray.exe-6215.html (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/sttray.exe-6215.html)
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You also have an application that may or may not have an impact.
Located: HK_LM:Run, SigmatelSysTrayApp (DISABLED)
command: sttray.exe
file: C:\WINDOWS\sttray.exe
size: 282624
MD5: 6B6B6135A972F09ADB4B12702FB8E0E5
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/sttray.exe-6215.html (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/sttray.exe-6215.html)
your kidding right. See the (DISABLED) next to it, that means it's on the startup list, but disabled.
Far as I can remember thats my onboard soundcards crap, that Is disabled. I have a Creative sound card installed.
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I already posted my statup list.
Well... there are quite some programs that could be delayed with Startup Delayer (http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay).
This freeware controls the windows startup that does not follow a strict order.
Epsi... try it, you won't regret.
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I did... I tryed everything... im all the more thinking its windows. Thanks for the help guys.
But it seems this more a windows xp problem than an Avast related one.
I'll try some more stuff, see where it gets me.
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I have something here that you might like to try. I've had issues with Avast throwing up update errors and I've tried the edited avast4.ini file as described in this thread. Although that seemed to work, I also have issues with any AV program and some of my start-up programs when I log off / on like you - I also run XP. Startup Delayer as mentioned above is a good program but unfortunately, it puts all your startup programs into some kind of 'box' which, even if you aren't delaying a particular program with Startup Delayer, can play havoc with certain startup parameters that some programs use. Thus I couldn't, for example, use Startup Delayer to simply delay Avast without causing an issue with two other programs for the reason I described.
Anyway, I went searching for a simple command line tool which would allow me to specify just one program to delay, without touching anything else at all. I found this: http://www.cottonwoodsw.com/dlyrsumm.html. I've manually created an entry in 'Registry - Machine Run' with this command line: "C:\Program Files\delayer11\Delayer.exe" "C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe" /d10 /h Delayer is just one executable, requires no install, and works by command line only pointing at the Delayer exe location, followed by the location of the app you want to delay, followed by the delay switch (in my case 10 seconds), followed by a switch to hide Delayer itself. Basically it works - Avast is the last thing to appear on my taskbar (I have 9 taskbar apps), and I can log off / on as rapidly as I wish with no problems caused with the other apps / taskbar icons. As a bonus, I expect it to overcome the update issue I was having as well, as my network connection is established and my 'cleanup' program (CCleaner) has finished by the time Avast kicks in.
All this sounds complex, but in fact is very simple to do, plus 'Delayer' is free. If you need a tool to help add a new Startup entry in Windows, I would suggest this: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/starter.html. I'd also like to suggest to Alwil, that they consider adding a 'built in' delay option that will offer a more configurable startup delay (..say, in seconds...) rather than just "...after other system services'. This would give users complete flexibility if needed to avoid the 'various' startup issues that people have from time to time.
Let me know what you think.
Cheers,
Jeremy
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But unfortunately, it puts all your startup programs into some kind of 'box' which, even if you aren't delaying a particular program with Startup Delayer
Only the programs you've installed before StartupDelayer and even these ones could be restored to the original place, no trouble.
Anyway, I went searching for a simple command line tool which would allow me to specify just one program to delay, without touching anything else at all.
Startup Delayer could do it. No problem.
Avast is the last thing to appear on my taskbar (I have 9 taskbar apps), and I can log off / on as rapidly as I wish with no problems caused with the other apps / taskbar icons.
avast icon does NOT mess any system tray icon... other thing could mess it, not avast icon, for sure.
If you need a tool to help add a new Startup entry in Windows, I would suggest this: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/starter.html.
I've tested in the past... I can't remember why I've stopped to recommend this tool, something was wrong but I can't remember.
Thanks for posting about Delayer. We love freewares 8)
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But unfortunately, it puts all your startup programs into some kind of 'box' which, even if you aren't delaying a particular program with Startup Delayer
Only the programs you've installed before StartupDelayer and even these ones could be restored to the original place, no trouble.
Umm, Tech for most people that will be all of them. And, l question that apps can be properly restored. I know Startup Delayer uses that term and you can remove the delay, but even this action still keeps the app in the 'box', and some apps do NOT like that. Two of my apps fail to start correctly because Startup Delayer does not handle them correctly, even with NO delay. I cannot see how to make Startup Delayer leave an app alone completely - and I have done extensive testing with Startup Delayer since r2studios released it years ago. So I disagree. Make sure you are using the latest version.
Anyway, I went searching for a simple command line tool which would allow me to specify just one program to delay, without touching anything else at all.
Startup Delayer could do it. No problem.
Like how?...Bearing in mind what I said above. If you want a delayer that handles the 'job' well, without 'interfering' with the way an app starts use this: http://www.joejoesoft.com/vcms/113/. It's also free.
Avast is the last thing to appear on my taskbar (I have 9 taskbar apps), and I can log off / on as rapidly as I wish with no problems caused with the other apps / taskbar icons.
avast icon does NOT mess any system tray icon... other thing could mess it, not avast icon, for sure.
How can you possibly be so sure? I am not slagging off Avast here - in my experiences with NOD32, Kaspersky and now Avast, it seems that the loading of an AV tool at startup can, in some way, under some circumstances, interfere with the smooth startup of other apps. What combination of that, plus the clumsy way Windows does it anyway, is responsible for what exactly, I can't be sure. We already know that the Avast update procedure can cause some people problems - several have had to try 'tweaking' avast4.ini to overcome that (including me), so how can you say Avast doesn't 'mess' with anything. I wouldn't have put it that way, but clearly there are issues as Vlk himself has confirmed.
Edit: Incidentally, I'm not actually saying that the Avast 'icon' messes with anything...
If you need a tool to help add a new Startup entry in Windows, I would suggest this: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/starter.html.
I've tested in the past... I can't remember why I've stopped to recommend this tool, something was wrong but I can't remember.
Make sure you have the latest version 5.6.2.8, which includes many improvements and fixes. Starter is an excellent tool, has worked for me for years. If you can remember what the problem is / was, I may be able to help or shed some light on it. Starter gets good reviews now.
There are people in this forum, and specifically Epsi in this thread, who have startup issues. So, as I've had similar experiences, I'm trying to solve them for myself in a practical way and share those experiences - that's all. In fact I'm now using 'StartRight' since last night (the link I gave you above) which does a similar job to Startup Delayer. Results so far are that everything loads as it should using the default settings in StartRight, and I get no failures even if I log off / on rapidly. It's worth trying. Windows startup problems plague many people it seems, which is why there are all these handy utilities available on the web - and there are so many of them addressing startup issues. That tells us what an ongoing issue this is, regardless of how good an application otherwise might be.
Jeremy
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... guys calm down... really this is not a cock fight, go to jerry springer if you want to fight. after lots of testing i figured out its windows xp. so please mods close this thread. before these guys start throwing each other with chairs.
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... guys calm down... really this is not a cock fight, go to jerry springer if you want to fight. after lots of testing i figured out its windows xp. so please mods close this thread. before these guys start throwing each other with chairs.
I'm quite calm thanks. If, when you try to do some careful investigation, report back whilst trying to be helpful and get the kind of reply I did then I simply won't bother again.
I agree, on balance it's an XP startup issue - which is why I suggest you try the two tools I've highlighted as they both solved similar issues for me that you've experienced. So far, StartRight is doing a good job with all my startup apps.
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Ok... This is going to far... getting emails from you guys now. Stop stalking me...
You have just been sent a personal message by Jem on avast!WEBforum.
IMPORTANT: Remember, this is just a notification. Please do not reply to this email.
The message they sent you was:
Hi there,
If you're checking my last post (I can see you're on line!) you might want to look at this too: http://www.joejoesoft.com/vcms/113/ Product called 'Startright'. Bit more elegant than 'Delayer'
I just tried it. You basically leave all your start-ups as they would be by default, install Startright and let it take over. So far...it damn well works! Much, much better than Startup Delayer...see what you think. It's also free. ;D
Reply to this Personal Message here: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;f=inbox;pmsg=33121;quote;u=25445
thanks. but just stop it now. there's a line... and thats just crossing it.
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They are not emailing you but using forum IM/PM function and the forum software notifies you of the Personal Message. They don't know your email.
You can change your Notifications and email, Personal Message Options/settings in your profile, not to contain the PM contents in the notification email, etc. I can only assume that the PM was sent to offer help outside of the glare of the public forum.
You seem to have misinterpreted a discussion as some kind of fight and that clearly isn't the case. In their discussions ultimately the only thing on their mind is how they can best 'help you' IMHO.
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... OK... I get they want to help me. but like 5 posts ago I said thank you. not an avast problem. windows xp problem.
And still they insist on "helping" me by nameing programs that I dout has anything to do with th problem.
Again. Thank you. All of you. I have been helped. No help me any more.
OK?
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They are not emailing you but using forum IM/PM function and the forum software notifies you of the Personal Message. They don't know your email.
You can change your Notifications and email, Personal Message Options/settings in your profile, not to contain the PM contents in the notification email, etc. I can only assume that the PM was sent to offer help outside of the glare of the public forum.
You seem to have misinterpreted a discussion as some kind of fight and that clearly isn't the case. In their discussions ultimately the only thing on their mind is how they can best 'help you' IMHO.
Thanks for that David.
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... OK... I get they want to help me. but like 5 posts ago I said thank you. not an avast problem. windows xp problem.
And still they insist on "helping" me by nameing programs that I dout has anything to do with th problem.
Again. Thank you. All of you. I have been helped. No help me any more.
OK?
Even though this is most certainly a windows problem, those programs may well have an effect and improve the situation, but if you don't want to be helped further that is your choice.
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Thanks for that David.
Your welcome, I just though that there was no fight or stalking going on in the avast forums, one of the friendliest and most helpful support forum that I have come across. People can have discussions/difference of opinion without it becoming hostile, although that may happen on occasion it is the exception rather than the rule.
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Two of my apps fail to start correctly because Startup Delayer does not handle them correctly, even with NO delay.
Which were they?
Make sure you are using the latest version.
I'm always updated...
How can you possibly be so sure?
Tested in more than 20 computers (mine, friends of mine), tested on Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP and Vista... with a lot of different configurations and startup programs. I myself control more than 20 applications on startup/internet connection detected.
Starter is an excellent tool, has worked for me for years. If you can remember what the problem is / was, I may be able to help or shed some light on it. Starter gets good reviews now.
Maybe I'll give it a try...
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After i did some digging i found out mircosoft one care can fix my problem. on installing it, it uninstalled avast. so im not useing avast anymore and my taskbar is working fine. i dont care what broke it in the first place, but its now fixed.
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so im not useing avast anymore.
Bye bye...