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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: geoasr on February 06, 2008, 09:48:41 PM

Title: Running a virus scan in safe mode
Post by: geoasr on February 06, 2008, 09:48:41 PM
Hi
I am running Avast version 4.7 Home Edition.
I was trying to run the security tango and one of the steps is to run an anti-virus scan in safe mode. i started the scan @ 10am and by 5pm it still had not finished. I find this strange as other anti-virus programs that I've ran in the past always went faster in safe mode as very few programs are running. Could something be wrong with the program?
Thanks George
Title: Re: Running a virus scan in safe mode
Post by: DavidR on February 06, 2008, 10:11:23 PM
First I don't know what you mean by 'I was trying to run the security tango' ?

You don't mention what type of scan you did or the amount of data on your HDD or your system specification, so it would be hard to say one way or another.

If you set it off on a Thorough scan with archives then it could well take a long time depending on the points I raised above.

avast has a boot-time scan, which you probably saw when you installed avast, that would be considerably quicker. If you have XP, vista32bit or Win2k, you could enable a boot time scan. Right click the avast icon, select Start avast! Antivirus, Menu, 'Schedule boot-time scan...' Or see http://www.digitalred.com/avast-boot-time.php (http://www.digitalred.com/avast-boot-time.php).

Or you can run an on-demand scan from safe mode but set the sensitivity to a Standard scan without archives.
Title: Re: Running a virus scan in safe mode
Post by: Go Pack Go on February 07, 2008, 03:58:01 AM
What does a more "complete" scan, a boot-time scan, or a scan in Safe Mode?
Title: Re: Running a virus scan in safe mode
Post by: Jahn on February 07, 2008, 11:35:54 AM
Hi
I am running Avast version 4.7 Home Edition.
I was trying to run the security tango and one of the steps is to run an anti-virus scan in safe mode. i started the scan @ 10am and by 5pm it still had not finished. I find this strange as other anti-virus programs that I've ran in the past always went faster in safe mode as very few programs are running. Could something be wrong with the program?
Thanks George
Just let it run, but occasionally verify that the scan is proceeding. In my experience, a/v scans take longer in safe mode than normal mode (most  drivers aren't loaded and that can actually slow you down). If it won't complete, run a boot scan as per DavidR's instruction.
Title: Re: Running a virus scan in safe mode
Post by: Jahn on February 07, 2008, 11:40:50 AM
First I don't know what you mean by 'I was trying to run the security tango' ?
lol DavidR. The Security Tango (http://securitytango.com/) ;D






changed icon
Title: Re: Running a virus scan in safe mode
Post by: Jahn on February 07, 2008, 11:43:14 AM
What does a more "complete" scan, a boot-time scan, or a scan in Safe Mode?
Each has advantages. I run both once a month. ;)
Title: Re: Running a virus scan in safe mode
Post by: geoasr on February 07, 2008, 04:10:14 PM
Thanks, thought maybe something was wrong with program.
RE: Security Tango is a very effective step by step procedure to remove both virus and spyware. It was put together by our local computer grus. To check it out go secritytango,com When you are on that page, click on the "lets dance" button. There you will find links to all free programs that you should have (free or not,your choice). And a very simple procedure to do and people who are not experts can do it. So print the page and follow the steps. Only thing that I can say is that with the constant updates that avast provides and unless you think you might have a virus, and the length of time it takes to run a through scan. A quick scan should be good enough. There are several good free anti-spyware and firewall programs besides the one listed there. You can find a listing of them @
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm
George 
Title: Re: Running a virus scan in safe mode
Post by: Go Pack Go on February 07, 2008, 11:56:58 PM
What does a more "complete" scan, a boot-time scan, or a scan in Safe Mode?
Each has advantages. I run both once a month. ;)
So there isn't just one scan that can cover everything?
Title: Re: Running a virus scan in safe mode
Post by: DavidR on February 08, 2008, 12:18:07 AM
Personally, with the boot-time scan should really be used when a normal scan can't deal with a problem, e.g. after a detection, where the file is in use, etc. and avast can't move it to the chest.

So with a view to a security tango scenario I would say the avast! boot time scan (something not available to other scanners) is a better bet as even in safe mode some viruses are still active. Not to mention some viruses actually disable the ability to get into safe mode.

Use regular avast on-demand scans at a sensitivity of your choice and use the boot-time scan if avast can't deal with it in normal mode.
Title: Re: Running a virus scan in safe mode
Post by: pappacat11 on April 20, 2008, 11:21:41 PM
I am replying to this post because after 20 min. of searching I can find no way to make a new post.
I tried running a scan in safe mode, but this new version of Avast make the startup screen so large(640x480) that the start button is hidden.
I can find no way to get to it.
Title: Re: Running a virus scan in safe mode
Post by: DavidR on April 20, 2008, 11:45:14 PM
The New Topic button at the top of each forum, where you probably found this topic.

It isn't avast that makes the resolution so large, that is windows because it isn't using the graphics card and it uses the default 640x480 depending on the size of your monitor it may use 800x600 ?

Why is it that you want to run a scan from safe mode ?

What Operating System are you using ?

It would be better to answer these questions in a new topic so as not to confuse this one.