Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: bod62uk on April 26, 2008, 02:32:56 PM
-
Avast will not fully exit and cannot be prevented from starting up via a start up manager, it also cannot be disabled from process manager "operation cannot be completed access denied" I have also tried in safe mode etc and this problem has only come about since avast 4.8, I am using the home version of the antivirus.
We all need to be able to fully exit avast at times, I discovered this problem when I tried to run trojan remover which asked me to exit avast before scanning.
I should point out I am the computer's administrator.
When will this issue be fixed?
Thank you and kind regards.
Steve Bowden.
-
This issue was introduced in 4.8 and related with avast! self-defence. So it is unlikely that it wll be fixed.
BTW you are trying to remove only UI to avast! AV service, it is virtually useless for trojan remover usage. Instead you can try to stop Standard Shield from Avast tray. It would exclude any interference with Trojan remover scan.
-
I discovered this problem when I tried to run trojan remover which asked me to exit avast before scanning.
Which is it?
I wouldn't disable the antivirus for nothing...
It's not an issue or bug, it's a feature.
-
I'm afraid even avast misses some nasties that have appeared on my PC, it's been a great AV but this will put some people off using it, there are times when the service needs disabling completely, faster defrags and other scans for example.
I need to be able to control the AV not have the AV control me.
Simply stopping 'on access protection' doesn't appear to stop any of it's processes.
All the same I think it would be best to try something else, an AV the lets me control what's happening to my PC.
Thanks for your help forum,
Regards
Steve.
-
You can disable self-defence. In this case you can stop any avast process (and smart malware can stop this process too).
-
Sorry, but this is nonsense - you won't get any faster defrags or similar stuff if you stop avast! processes.
As for other scans, stopping avast! resident protection should be enough (and if not, it's a conflict between antivirus drivers - which would occur earlier anyway, no matter if avast! processes are running or not.)
You can disable the self-defense in avast! settings (Troubleshooting page), if you want to. But as I said, your reasons are just wrong.
-
faster defrags
It should happen a low level and not interfere with antivirus... I've read this is a myth and non-technical opinion.
and other scans for example.
The service won't interfere. Just disable the providers.
I need to be able to control the AV not have the AV control me.
For sure. You're with one of the most configurable antivirus round.
Simply stopping 'on access protection' doesn't appear to stop any of it's processes.
Steve, believe me, why do you need to do that?
-
Let's agree to disagree here, the antivirus doesn't fully exit period.
Stop blinding yourselves with science.
I want the AV to fully exit just like it used to and just like other AV programs do.
I want to control it, not it control my PC.
Of what I speak isn't nonsense and clearly anyone with a little knowlege in the I.T world would know to exit everything before scanning or defragmenting!
Files in use are not scanned and defragmenting uses a lot of resources especially on older machines so yes it's better to have a minium of processes running.
I haven't come here to argue I have been a member of the forum for 4 years and have found it a helpful read.
If this is a new feature that's here to stay, then so be it, I will find another free or perhaps buy a an antivirus that will fully exit when it's told.
Thanks for the input and bounce!
Steve Bowden.
-
Let's agree to disagree here, the antivirus doesn't fully exit period.
Stop blinding yourselves with science.
Hey... who's blinding himself here? ;D
I want the AV to fully exit just like it used to and just like other AV programs do.
Antivirus and security programs are 'like the others'. This is not Word...
I want to control it, not it control my PC.
It does not control, it protects. You're limited to a lot of things, starting from the operational system... full freedom? Utopia...
Of what I speak isn't nonsense and clearly anyone with a little knowlege in the I.T world would know to exit everything before scanning or defragmenting!
Again, it's a myth.
Files in use are not scanned
Modern antivirus know how to circumvent that.
and defragmenting uses a lot of resources especially on older machines so yes it's better to have a minium of processes running.
Agree with old machines. But a lot of items does not use CPU and won't interfere with defragmenting... for instance, the icon on system tray.
I haven't come here to argue I have been a member of the forum for 4 years and have found it a helpful read.
Neither do we... we're just changing experiences, not arguing or fighting ;)
-
Have you read my post or not?
The feature will certainly stay, as it improves the antivirus protection significantly - but you can disable it in program settings, if you feel the urge to.
-
I am sorry to say that the posts here reflect rather more on the poster's lack of knowledge on how avast has been working for the last 4 years and the control very mistakenly thought ("like it used to") to be enjoyed in those "good old days".
Exactly the same parts of avast terminate on stopping on access protection as they have done for the last 4 years, no more no less.
There were always avast drivers running that you did not terminate and were, most likely, unaware of.
You have been performing your defrags and other tasks in a blissful lack of real knowledge apparently quite happily for the last 4 years. Now you have heard that there are a couple of new drivers that you cannot turn off (joining the other drivers that you did not turn off).
If you believe that other AV products do not work in the same way then you will have to suspend disbelief or be consigned to perpetual disappointment.
-
Program Settings, Troubleshooting- disable Avast self defence module.
This lets the program processes be ended in task manager.
-
I agree with the other posts.
And not only am I unable to exit AVAST, I can't even disable it from running on start-up. And as intrusive/persistent/thorough all the other anti-virus programs I've used in the past had been, they at least allowed me that.
It shouldn't even matter WHY one may want to exit AVAST.
When a program runs on my computer I want to have control over it, rather than be protected in spite of everything - against myself and for my own good.
-
Then... read again what was posted in this thread.
-
Then... read again what was posted in this thread.
I have read what was posted here earlier.
Program Settings, Troubleshooting- disable Avast self defence module.
This doesn't seem to work for me - I still get the "Unable to terminate process. Access denied" message when I try to end (avast) processes.
Is there any way to disable AVAST! from starting at start-up?
I cannot disable it through MSConfig, nor through third-party start-up manager software (TuneUp).
I understand the need for the super-high level of protection/security of Avast processes and under normal circumstances it is a commendable feature. However I use a low-end lap-top and sometimes even the 5,964K AshDisp.exe can be a drain on resources.
So, once again - what, if anything, can I do to disable Avast running at start-up?
Thank you for your help.
-
What is the exact build of avast! you have installed?
What happens when you check the "Disable self-defense" option in avast! settings and click "OK"?
-
Of course Avast is among the best Anti-Virus GUIs but.....
Checking Disable avast! self-defense module does not work. It resets itself to off the moment you close the settings/troubleshooting window. Now I cant keep Avast from loading at start up... that's right I dont want it loaded at start up. I run virtually allot and so dont worry about viruses for the most part.
I enjoy using the link on the context menu for scanning individual files. Sometimes I will turn all of Avast on when I need to do a system scan but this is extremely rare. I run the leanest possible WinXPP system, I like it that way, I want it that way, I need it that way for programming and debugging and general operation.
I can update and scan with Avast with just the few modules left running after the 3 main EXEs are disabled in version 4.7. With 4.8 I cant do this.
I can't prevent ashserv.exe, ashsimp2.exe and aswUpdSv.exe from loading by any means :o.
They cant be killed once they have been loaded either.
Anyway... I cant find out if I can have Avast the way I want it until I can get Disable avast! self-defense module to stay checked. Help! Thank you!
-
Disable avast! self-defense module should work. I've tested it yesterday. No problems.
Did you use any other antivirus in this computer.
avast is not programmed to be an on-demand scanner only... It's not intended to work this way.
-
No, no other AV used, ever...
Here's what I did; Ive uninstalled, cleaned up and reinstalled Avast 4.7 twice.
I used a 4.7 setup engine while disconnected from the internet, setup, disabled autoupdate in favor of manual updating and only then went on the internet to update the virus lists only... ;) but here I had 4.8 installed and with the obstinate self-defense module checkbox refusing to hold its checkmark.
As for running as an On-Demand scanner all I can say is that with V4.7 I had disabled the Avasts exes that appear in MSConfig or the "Services" app. However, the Autoruns utility listed the context menu module and maybe a few others as loaded.
This suited my needs for an anti-virus program perfectly. Maybe I should install 4.8 from its own installation engine and not via 4.7?
Thank you.
-
It would probably be best to do a clean reinstall of the latest version 4.8.1201 ?
Download the latest version of avast http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html (http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html) and save it to your HDD, somewhere you can find it again. Use that when you reinstall.
Download the avast! Uninstall Utility, find it here (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html) and save it to your HDD.
1. Now uninstall (using add remove programs, if you can't do that start from the next step), reboot.
2. run the avast! Uninstall Utility, reboot.
3. install the latest version, reboot.
-
After some fiddling around I did manage to get it to work (or rather stop it from working :)) by disabling the self-defence module, and then disabling the program itself in MSConfig. Had to restart the computer a few times as well (even before accessing MSConfig). It was quite tricky, and in future this feature could probably be made more intuitive, but a relief to know it's possible.
Apart from this minor issue, Avast! is a great defence program and ultimately I would choose it over all of its competitors.
Thank you very much for your help!
-
avast will have to keep up with the efforts of the malware developers to overcome its self-protection.
I think it would be foolish to assume that it will ever become more intuitive to disable the self-protection features that are in the best interests of the overwhelming imajority of avast users.
For the users who say:
It shouldn't even matter WHY one may want to exit AVAST.
When a program runs on my computer I want to have control over it, rather than be protected in spite of everything - against myself and for my own good.
-or-
I like it that way, I want it that way, I need it that way for programming and debugging and general operation.
I would have to say ... sorry but avast is not a product built for individual user's needs but for the avast community.
In the end the product is provided as is - if the product, as designed, not as an on demand scanner, is not to your liking then your best choice may be to seek a product more to your needs. The vast majority of users, I suspect, want a product that cannot be hijacked by "intuitive disabling" available to every script kiddy on the block.
-
this feature could probably be made more intuitive
Again: avast is not intended to be run only on-demand, not resident.
Also, you'll have problems if you try to install other on-access, resident, antivirus.
-
No,
4.8 wont hold its checkmark either but it seems to be an issue I have alone.
Anyway Avasts' goal to help those who can't help themselves is noble.
However Avast Home Ed. supplies an effective warning asking if it is indeed our intention to uninstall it when it is being uninstalled... could not a similar warning be provided should a script kiddy , lol, try to turn off resident protection?
Anyway, you seem to have made up your mind.
Good bye avast, sniff sniff... you got me out of a few big jams.
-
Well, there's a password protection there for the resident protection...
-
Wait...
I'm not paying attention to myself...
So if the self-defense module did hold its check mark, could I in fact prevent Avast from loading?
If not then of course I'd have to conclude that the disabling of the self defense is just for show...
-
If you disable the self-defence you can do what you like to avast, even prevent it from running, disable services, etc.
It most certainly isn't for show, or we wouldn't be able to disable it to install the pre-release version that we are testing.
-
You're installation seems somehow damaged... Self-defense module can be disabled for sure...
Maybe you should install from the scratch.
-
Ok great,
I apologize for the implication.
Ive uninstalled 4.7 and 4.8 down to the very last reference as far as I can see.
However I will keep trying. Getting that checkmark to hold seems to be the only issue I have with the whole program! Just my luck! I have a ton of services disabled, I suppose it needs one of them. Maybe I can find its dependency. Thank you for your help. ;D
-
avast will have to keep up with the efforts of the malware developers to overcome its self-protection.
I think it would be foolish to assume that it will ever become more intuitive to disable the self-protection features that are in the best interests of the overwhelming imajority of avast users.
For the users who say:
It shouldn't even matter WHY one may want to exit AVAST.
When a program runs on my computer I want to have control over it, rather than be protected in spite of everything - against myself and for my own good.
-or-
I like it that way, I want it that way, I need it that way for programming and debugging and general operation.
I would have to say ... sorry but avast is not a product built for individual user's needs but for the avast community.
In the end the product is provided as is - if the product, as designed, not as an on demand scanner, is not to your liking then your best choice may be to seek a product more to your needs. The vast majority of users, I suspect, want a product that cannot be hijacked by "intuitive disabling" available to every script kiddy on the block.
???
I wasn't submitting a personal request for you to make Avast! more "intuitive" but actually thanking you for your help and commenting that apart from minor issues I still prefer the program to all its competitors.
So why get so defensive? After all you're here to help people (I assume), not tell them that if they aren't happy with some particular program feature they should just go and use something else...
-
I do not own this product, I do not work for this product. I merely support this product for myself and a number of other users (without remuneration). If you are unable to determine the difference between defensiveness and honesty - then sorry I am not about to expend the effort to make it more clear.
Please do not assume that this is the limit of the self-defence features of avast. You may find future features make it less easy for you prevent avast from running as it is designed to do for the vast majority of users. I have ask that you do not over estimate my purely personal thoughts here as a threat as you did my previous comments as defensiveness. They are merely offered as a warning in line with my earlier post that all of us should understand the design intentions, capabilities and limits of the products we choose.
-
It's prudent to temporarily disable anti-virus software before installing new software packages. Many AV apps offer a quick way to do that from the Notification Area (formerly systray).
-
It's prudent to temporarily disable anti-virus software before installing new software packages.
Prudent? On contrary - it's ridiculous, and dangerous.
-
It's prudent to temporarily disable anti-virus software before installing new software packages. Many AV apps offer a quick way to do that from the Notification Area (formerly systray).
Shame of these many AV... it's not prudent, it's imprudent, less technical, reasonless suggestion...
-
However I will keep trying. Getting that checkmark to hold seems to be the only issue I have with the whole program! Just my luck! I have a ton of services disabled, I suppose it needs one of them. Maybe I can find its dependency. Thank you for your help. ;D
I am new to both Avast and this forum but also use my PC for developing and programming..
I was having problems with tick/check boxes registering changes and it was due to an incorrect registry entry relating to Internet Explorer ActiveX compatibilty. Apparantly caused by MS-Visual Studio. I found a fix which I have posted here http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=36818.0 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=36818.0)
It cured the checkbox issue for me and I hope it does the same for you. :)
~Mike~
-
I still can not turn off the self defence module. I did apply the Internet Explorer ActiveX compatibilty reg adjustment but this didnt work for causing the disable avast! self-defense module check box to hold its checkmark.
An interesting thing happened however after I did another install of 4.8 Home Edition on my WinXPP. I copied the contents of avast4.ini and made a new one placing it outside of the avast/data directory. I cant edit the programs own avast4.ini as it is locked solid.
After installing but before the re-booting I over-wrote avast4.ini, before it became locked, with the one I had edited with the setting I wanted including SelfDefenseEnabled=0. All modified settings including StartupRootkitScan=0 and RawBootTimeScan=0 appeared as I had set them except one... SelfDefenseEnabled=0 was back to SelfDefenseEnabled=1
Help... :)
Thank you
-
perigee22, I suggest an installation from the scratch:
1. Uninstall avast from Control Panel first.
2. Boot.
3. Download the latest version of Avast Uninstall (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html) and use it for complete uninstallation.
4. Boot.
5. Install again the latest avast! (http://www.avast.com/eng/programs.html) version.
6. Boot.
7. Check and post the results.
-
Yes I have used the avast un-install utility after uninstalling from Add/Remove, thrice. With this install I even installed to the default location on the C:\ drive and not to my logical partition E:\. Avast on a friends comp holds the checkmark fine. As I have said I am running a very lean WinXPP but this last install had many services that I had turned off turned back on, including Cryptography. I am a firefox user and some components of IE are disabled in Autoruns. Is Avast expecting full IE functionality?
Thank you very much
-
avast only uses IE for the help files (the same as many other applications) as far as I'm aware, so it isn't really dependant on IE.
-
Is Avast expecting full IE functionality?
Not IE, but avast need Internet connection to update, i.e., if you change any IE setting that avoids connection, or mess it... avast just uses IE for some help files to be read as David said.
-
I needed to performance maintenance+tune up on my pc and wasn't able to close Avast; that's how I found this article.
Result:
The only other software that required a separate uninstaller was Norton's bloatware, that would often leave files/folders/registry entry's behind. Now Avast is behaving similar to malware, to the point where it has taken control of the computer, and doesn't allow a basic function such as exiting the program.
This leaves the user a single & clear option of uninstalling the program. I recommend using Revo uninstaller to completely remove all remnants of it.
Further, there are other local/cloud based solutions, which offer greater performance with smaller footprint.
Panda seems to stand out, and you can use 3rd party software to control it's start up, or disable it.
-
Why is this in a five year old thread? ::)
Wouldn't it do more good if you started a new topic/thread? ???
-
A. Because the problem still persists (although certain parties refer to it as a "feature")
B. No, the topic is the same, so there is no reason to create new thread with same topic.
-ps. We should laud Avast for allowing open & free discussion of the failures/features of their software.
Why is this in a five year old thread? ::)
Wouldn't it do more good if you started a new topic/thread? ???
-
Hi Carl,
If avast! were to be permanently disabled so easily, wouldn't that put your computer at risk?
If you're looking to speed up your pc, take into consideration the hardware it has and compare it with those of newer computers. An extra gigabyte of ram or a different processor can go a long way.
~!Donovan
-
+1
If you are running an older computer with older hardware, there is only so much it can do. That's one of the reasons why all programs come with a minimum hardware compatibility to run that software satisfactorily. At minimum or lower, the user is sure to be disappointed.
That brings up another point: Some users install everything under the sun, and do not think through how installing anything will change the way their system ran before and after. Some want absolute control over everything their computer does, but an antivirus program is the exact antithesis of that. It has to be, as malware can enter without notice, and kill the a/v dead, so it has to protect itself from outside attack, and also protect itself from the best intentions of the operator running that system. Maybe in 2008 you could manually kill your a/v, but most cannot do that now.
What is the point of running an a/v if one will not let it run as designed? If it does not run well on a system, is it time to change/upgrade the system?
Extreme example here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGXERfhe-Oo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGXERfhe-Oo)