Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: eze on July 17, 2008, 01:44:27 AM
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I am running vista sp1, latest version of avast and free zonealarm, i can get on the internet using i.e. or firefox but then they will stop responding. tried shutting down zonealarm and still no connection. disabled avast and everything started working again. I can ping 127.0.0.1 and yahoo.com, when the problems occur. help or any ideas will be appreciated. also tried disabling web shield , no luck.
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also, no other antivirus have ever been installed and windows firewall is turned off.
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Do you have dial-up, DSL, or wireless? Did you check all connections?
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dsl with wireless modem, all other computers have xp and not experienced issues. this is a problem, I have been having, didnt just start.
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Did you check the connections (ie. phone line, ethernet, phone filter)? Does the DSL have a reset button?
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i promise, its not the connection. its avast, b/c the other computers will still connect when this one does not, i can use it for a little while and then it starts, i have narrowed it down to avast. like i said above, i can still ping the localhost and websites, but internet explorer and firefox stops responding. i also see where other vista users are experiencing the same thing. i have disabled webshield and it seems to be working right now.
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i promise, its not the connection.
free zonealarm
avast does not change connection... the firewall does that.
Remove avast entries of Zone Alarm and boot.
Next boot, allow connections.
Into the firewall settings, the following programs should be allowed to connect:
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe (avast! Web Scanner)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe (avast! e-Mail Scanner Service)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\avast.setup (avast! Update executable). This is a temporary file that just appears when an update (check) is about to launch, and disappears again afterwards.
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i have already allowed avast full connection. in fact avast is running right now, w/o webshield enabled and its fine. When avast along with zonealarm were fully enabled, and the problem started i disabled zonealarm and reloaded i.e. to see if that worked and it did not. if zonealarm was blocking the connection why did it work for a while and then cause i.e to not connect? this is happening after i have already been on the internet for a while, like i said, i have been having and troubleshooting this problem for a while, it just didn't start today. every time i disable avast and reload i.e or firefox it works. so its tells me and i am no expert that its avast. I have avast and zonealarm on 3 xp machines configured with the same settings and not having any problems. i know zonealarm is a headache for novice user, but i have a little idea on how to properly configure it.
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let me try to explain it again. i can get on the internet and browse but after a period of time, internet explorer and/or firefox will not respond ie... trying to open new tab, new window and refresh a page. i close down avast and restart i.e. and it works like its suppose to, then if i enable avast it will work for a period of time and the same problems start again.
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same thing that this user is experiencing:
I have been having this issue in Vista where IE7 stops working after about 5-10 minutes of use. It will just sit there as if it is loading a web page but the page never loads. I tried Firefox and it is doing the same thing. Today I isolated the problem. If I stop Web Shield, the browsers immediately begin functioning normally again.
During the problem I can still ping, use messenger, access other network resources.
Not sure what the deal is but it might need addressing for future releases because this problem is happening for other folks as well as you can see in the following link: http://winvistaforums.com/windows-vista-support/10005-browser-stops-working-after-while-7.html
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Eze... I can just guess it's a glitch or conflict with WebShield and ZA.
Maybe installing ZA from the scratch helps...
It's difficult to troubleshoot when we don't know exactly what is happening, it's difficult to troubleshoot intermittent problems... sorry.
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ok i appreciate you trying to help, it just has me baffled.
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I have also seen something like this with Firefox 3, though not on my own PCs so I hope my recollection is correct.
In Vista (Vista Firewall) after an iAVS update, turning off the Webshield or restarting Windows is necessary to restore browsing.
In XP (no firewall) after establishing a VPN connection with a remote computer, no browsing is possible until the VPN connection is disconnected.
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i am going to uninstall zonealarm and continue to to troubleshoot, if i have any luck i will post it.
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i am going to uninstall zonealarm and continue to to troubleshoot, if i have any luck i will post it.
Be sure to untick in ZA start with windows before uninstalling as it can cause problems sometimes.
m
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i removed zone alarm reinstalled it, internet works for a little while then stops responding. shutdown zonealarm no response, shutdown avast works like it is suppose to? any more ideas to try? if i shutdown avast and restart it, everything begins to work again also. so it leaves me dumbfounded with it.
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btt.
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Have you a solution? I have the same issue.
Rgds Etienne
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I have figured it out for you guys what the problem is.
Take these steps.
1. Open up your web shield.
2. Click on Customize.
3. Where it says Redirected http ports. It should say 80
4. Delete where it says 80, make it say nothing
It will work fine.
Make sure you clear your cookies/temp files before running the internet now.
I hope this helps.
Matt
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By doing that your might as well disable the web shield because it is effectively the same as you aren't redirecting the port 80 traffic through the web shield filter and content isn't scanned. Just check the Scanned count: field in the web shield and you will see it isn't scanning your traffic.
If you do that (clearing the 80), no browser can use the web shield unless you manually configure it to use Web Shield, see below.
Manually setting your browser to use the web shield proxy,
see these tutorials for an idea of what you have to do in a few browsers.
For IE - broadband users: - Tutorial - Web Shield Proxy Set-up for IE (http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/ws_ieproxy.htm)
For IE - dialup users - Tutorial - Web Shield Proxy Set-up for IE (Dial-up) (http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/ws_ieproxy_dialup.htm)
For Firefox users - Tutorial - Web Shield Proxy Set-up for Firefox (http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/ws_ffproxy.htm)
Opera Users - Tools> Preferences> Advanced> Network> Proxy Servers, see image.
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By doing that your might as well disable the web shield because it is effectively the same as you aren't redirecting the port 80 traffic through the web shield filter and content isn't scanned. Just check the Scanned count: field in the web shield and you will see it isn't scanning your traffic.
If you do that (clearing the 80), no browser can use the web shield unless you manually configure it to use Web Shield, see below.
Manually setting your browser to use the web shield proxy,
see these tutorials for an idea of what you have to do in a few browsers.
For IE - broadband users: - Tutorial - Web Shield Proxy Set-up for IE (http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/ws_ieproxy.htm)
For IE - dialup users - Tutorial - Web Shield Proxy Set-up for IE (Dial-up) (http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/ws_ieproxy_dialup.htm)
For Firefox users - Tutorial - Web Shield Proxy Set-up for Firefox (http://www.avast.com/files/tutorials/ws_ffproxy.htm)
Opera Users - Tools> Preferences> Advanced> Network> Proxy Servers, see image.
I wonder if there is a way to maybe put a link into your software, because there is not a lot of people who are going to know how to do this at all. However with the video that is very easy. Most people have no clue when they download it that they need to do this at all. I had 2 people delete it thinking that it just wasn't compatiable with there computer. It may save time just putting a link on how to do that right in the software. Or setup something to add that proxy to the default explorer.
Thanks
Matt
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mbole370,
I have to ask what is your operating system and still further why you feel the need to disable the important scanning of Web activity by avast (that works just fine for the overwhelming majority of us) that could save you from a lot of grief?
We just want to understand the problem you are encountering and try to help.
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your software
Their software... we're users like you ;)
It may save time just putting a link on how to do that right in the software. Or setup something to add that proxy to the default explorer.
It is, somehow, in the help files... hope they improve in version 5.
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I wonder if there is a way to maybe put a link into your software, because there is not a lot of people who are going to know how to do this at all.
This is the exception rather than the rule, as this is suggested to overcome a problem on a system. For the greatest majority on newer OSes, win2k, XP, Vista, etc. this is not necessary. So please don't read this as a requirement for all users, it isn't.
If you are using win9.x or win ME (?) then had you checked the avast help file there is a bit about this in the Resident Protection, Web Shield, see image extract.
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mbole370,
I have to ask what is your operating system and still further why you feel the need to disable the important scanning of Web activity by avast (that works just fine for the overwhelming majority of us) that could save you from a lot of grief?
We just want to understand the problem you are encountering and try to help.
I am using windows vista. I have also just tried the following examples above to try to get my internet to work again and if i do what the video shows above i can't use ie at all. It will not even think about going to an address. If i disable the proxies and just run off of my own internet connections it runs perfect. I guess i will not be able to have web scanning at all.
This isn't the first time i have heard of this or seen this. I had a laptop that it didn't work on either.
Thanks for trying to help.
Matt
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If i disable the proxies
Which proxies?
Do you use a proxy?
With XP\Vista you don't have to change any proxy to use avast...
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Might review information at http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/03/22/disable-tcp-auto-tuning-to-solve-slow-network-cannot-load-web-page-or-download-email-problems-in-vista/. That solved partial loading/freeze here with Vista.
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mbole370
Matt,
I fear that you may have misunderstood how avast works.
If you do not need a proxy to connect to the Internet for your normal use then you need to make no changes to avast for it to work with the Internet and protect you either.
Can you please let us know, as Tech asked above, if you use a proxy to connect to the Internet (forgetting all about avast)?
Please believe that all of of us in this thread - simply avast users just as you are - want to try to help you get this working - but that does mean you have to work with us too.
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Might review information at http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/03/22/disable-tcp-auto-tuning-to-solve-slow-network-cannot-load-web-page-or-download-email-problems-in-vista/. That solved partial loading/freeze here with Vista.
I am so glad I decided to check out this forum, as I think this was my Windows Vista issue. I followed the instructions in this article and found out my Receive Window Auto-Tuning Level was set to "highlyrestricted" rather than the demonstrated "normal." How it got set to that level, not sure since this was an HP factory-installed system.
But I am also experiencing the same exact problem for 2 months now. I have Windows Vista Home Premium SP 1, and upon uninstalling the factory-installed Norton AV so I could use Avast with my install of Zone Alarm Version 8.0.065.000, I started having intermittent connection problems. As soon as I would disable Avast and just run ZA, all of a sudden I could connect. It has to be the Web Shield feature interaction with Windows Vista, but how it ties into the TCP Auto-Tune I am not clear yet.
I'll let you all know if these instructions solved my connection problems. I belong to a collectors forum, and after logging in it isn't long after that my internet connection stops, yet any of my Windows XP systems (I have 5 computers total) never have an issue.
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Two things.
1. Norton can be a pig to remove, ensure you have it all removed. A link worth looking at, which is a program removal tool that can remove the remnants of a number of different Norton Programs:
Removing your Norton program using SymNRT (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039)
2. What version of ZA do you have, Free or Pro ?
Care needs to be exercised as the free version comes with the pro trial and unless you opt for the free only, you end up with pro privacy functionality and that can throw up its own issues.
Did you get a compatibility pop-up relating to Zone Alarm and the web shield, if so what did you answer ?
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Two things.
1. Norton can be a pig to remove, ensure you have it all removed. A link worth looking at, which is a program removal tool that can remove the remnants of a number of different Norton Programs:
Removing your Norton program using SymNRT (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039)
2. What version of ZA do you have, Free or Pro ?
Care needs to be exercised as the free version comes with the pro trial and unless you opt for the free only, you end up with pro privacy functionality and that can throw up its own issues.
Did you get a compatibility pop-up relating to Zone Alarm and the web shield, if so what did you answer ?
High David, and thanks for the note.
1. I'll still run the registry cleaner to flush out all the Norton hidden connections. Smart move.
2. Zone Alarm Free, which I ensured to choose FREE when it presented the Wizard asking which I would want.
3. I've used ZA for over 7 years now, so realize if I select to NOT allow access to a program, it cannot connect. When the problem started, I even went back into ZA, removed all programs, and started from scratch to see if maybe accidentally I had not allowed access.
It has something to do with Avast's interaction with that auto-tuning as previously when the problem would occur, I would turn off Avast, wait for the messages to come up what had just been turned off (e.g. Stopping Provider "Web Shield," etc), and immediately I would have access again.
There is nothing else I am adjusting that would relate to ZA, former install of Norton AV, or not being connected to the internet. All my other XP-based systems can connect NO PROBLEM, yet my Vista desktop locks up periodically.
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Folks, I think this is fixed finally after every day having to turn off Avast to do some work on the internet (I know, crazy having to turn off an AV program). I've been freeze-free for over an hour now, and that was never the case.
So I would lean heavily towards figuring out why the auto-tuning and Avast run into this problem, or at least how to mitigate the issue.
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The interaction of ZA and avast, specially in Vista, from time to time, brings troubles.
Sometimes, keeping avast installed, uninstalling ZA, booting, installing again can solve the issues.
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The interaction of ZA and avast, specially in Vista, from time to time, brings troubles.
Sometimes, keeping avast installed, uninstalling ZA, booting, installing again can solve the issues.
But in this case I did nothing to either Avast or ZA, but rather followed the instructions on how to disable auto-tune TCP.
Would that still be an Avast or ZA issue, or more how they interact with auto-tune via Vista? You know what I mean?
It is too easy to just raise our hands and say the two programs interacting is always the issue. So how can we narrow it down to what the true issue was for me? As soon as I disabled auto-tune and hit all my regular sites, NOT ONCE did IE lock up.
What does that auto-tune TCP feature do? Maybe that is what we need to dig into and spread the word as part of troubleshooting procedures, right?
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Folks, I think this is fixed finally after every day having to turn off Avast to do some work on the internet (I know, crazy having to turn off an AV program). I've been freeze-free for over an hour now, and that was never the case.
So I would lean heavily towards figuring out why the auto-tuning and Avast run into this problem, or at least how to mitigate the issue.
Thanks for the update, however, by "having to turn off Avast to do some work on the internet" is as you say crazy when all you need do is either pause or terminate the Web Shield as a temporary fix as this doesn't completely leave you with your metaphorical trousers round you ankles whilst on-line.
Unfortunately I can't help with either Vista (don't, use it - read avoiding it like the plague) or Zone Alarm, I gave up on zone alarm over 6 years ago for my existing firewall Outpost Pro (use the free version for a while first). In all that time I have only had one very small issue, which was quickly resolved.
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Unfortunately I can't help with either Vista (don't, use it - read avoiding it like the plague) or Zone Alarm, I gave up on zone alarm over 6 years ago for my existing firewall Outpost Pro (use the free version for a while first). In all that time I have only had one very small issue, which was quickly resolved.
I use Vista but I would never use ZoneAlarm.
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I use Vista but I would never use ZoneAlarm.
I think I wouldn't use it anymore either...
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So then two questions.
1. How do you turn off JUST the web shield feature and what's the risk?
2. What's wrong with ZA and what would you recommend using?
Thanks folks for the help.
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1. How do you turn off JUST the web shield feature and what's the risk?
Disable the provider and answer 'yes' to persist the changes. It's not a good idea, although. If you visit a website, webshield can stop infection before the files are saved to the disk.
2. What's wrong with ZA and what would you recommend using?
Sometimes it's buggy.
We suggest PcTools, Comodo or Online Armor or, if you don't mind that much, Windows firewall only.
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1. How do you turn off JUST the web shield feature and what's the risk?
Disable the provider and answer 'yes' to persist the changes. It's not a good idea, although. If you visit a website, webshield can stop infection before the files are saved to the disk.
2. What's wrong with ZA and what would you recommend using?
Sometimes it's buggy.
We suggest PcTools, Comodo or Online Armor or, if you don't mind that much, Windows firewall only.
Thank you so much to all! I'm going to look up these other firewalls as I do love using Avast. Have a super night.
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Might review information at http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/03/22/disable-tcp-auto-tuning-to-solve-slow-network-cannot-load-web-page-or-download-email-problems-in-vista/. That solved partial loading/freeze here with Vista.
I have been having problems sending email in Vista 64. Tried just about everything I could think of to no avail. Uninstalled all anti-virus and firewalls but still couldn't send most email. Simple emails sent to myself usually send. But if I am replying to someone the mail usually doesn't send. Talk about frustrating. I pay for my Yahoo account so that is annoying. This has been going on for about 3 months now. I try to send and it comes up with a message saying it is taking longer than usual and will let me know when it is sent. After several minutes a message appears telling me it couldn't be send because there was a connection problem. I also tried posting on a discussion board and even though I was on line the whole time the message didn't post and I got the page showing no connection.
I have tried to find someone on line, somewhere, somehow, someway who had a solution. Today I found one that worked. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is the solution. I had to disable the tcp auto tuning. I did that and could send email. Amazing!! Thanks to everyone here. I went back and enabled tcp auto-tuning set at normal but this prevented me from sending email. So I had to disable tcp auto-tuning and things are okay. I can send email and can post on line. Whew! I was so pleased I had to register here to thank everyone.
Vince